World Business News

Friday, 25 February 2011

Unit 4: CSR - BBC One Planet on Coca-Cola & Sustainability

This podcast from a special edition of BBC World Service’s One Planet makes ideal listening for students researching corporate social responsibility. The opening 8 minutes of the programme features an interview with John Brock, Head of Coca-Cola Enterprises in Western Europe, where he talks generally about the role of CSR in Coca-Cola’s strategy. Well worth a listen…


You can hear the podcast here

I have highlighted what I think are the key points from the podcast below:

BBC One Planet - a great resource we should listen to more often

John Brock - Head of Coca-Cola Enterprises:

Coca-Cola - a global brand with global profits

The world’s most iconic brand - sold everywhere

The world’s most valuable brand, but part of a brand portfolio

Sustainability - why?

The right thing to do

Makes good business sense

Three environmental focuses:

Energy conservation

Pacakaging resuse/recycling

Water stewardship

By pursuing all of these sustainability, you:

Reduce costs

increasing innovation

Becoming more efficient and effective

The reason for Coca-Cola to exist - making money ("creating value for shareholders")

So why does sustainability fit in with this objective?

Good for:

Image & reputation

Relationships with suppliers

People - employees want to be part of a company focusing on sustainability

A marketing ploy?

Why should customers believe that sustainability is anything other than a marketing ploy?

Coca-Cola

Product range includes many low or zero calorie products

Why is sustainability so popular?

Companies recognise that is simply makes good business sense - good for society; good for the profit and loss account

Swap for Swag Project

Recycling project - swapping packaging for new Coca-Cola branded merchandise

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