A must have...

I bought this book today.

It grades companies from A to F for their actions on the enviorment, human rights, community involvement, animal protection, corporate crime, discrimination, employee treatment and philanthropy. I am in love with it. Because it takes no stand in politics nor healthiness of the product my kids are so much more interested in learning about these companies. I think they are a bit sick of the "it may taste good but it's bad for you" line I often use. Max is going to write Oreo's a letter in protest of their actions, I need to write to Guinness (if I can never have a Guinness again I just may cry). But there are some surprises that made them happy... Bugles got a B+. Aidan did a happy dance about that. some of sneakers that they like got a B which was a huge surprise. we are guessing the companies must have changed their ways. Aaron brought the book to school today. He wanted to share it with his teacher. They are currently talking about this in class.

some surprising F's: Saturn auto maker, Poland Spring water, Boca meatless products, M&M's (these tasty little treats are made by slave child labor!), wolfgang puck soups.

I read this on the the web site (was something I was wondering):

How is it that companies like Ben & Jerry's and Tom's of Maine still make it on The Ten Best Companies List? Weren't they taken over by larger corporations?

Many mergers and buyouts result in a kind of corporate Borg-like assimilation of the smaller into the bigger. However, there are some cases in which the smaller company is able to maintain the integrity of its operations despite the takeover. I have been watching Ben & Jerry's since the late 80s. Ben Cohen made it a point to negotiate an agreement with Unilever that would allow his company to maintain its business practices. Since the buyout, B&J has continued to win awards for its social and environmental responsibility as well as expand many of its progressive programs. It looks like Tom's of Maine is headed down the same path. They have done great work in the past, and it seems that they have made a similar operating agreement with Colgate. They are worth keeping an eye on, but until the data demonstrates otherwise, they are still one of the best companies on the planet.