Sustainability Seminar: Quality & Choice by Shane Snipes

December 11, 2012 at 12:45pm in BA 535

As a conclusion to the fall semester, we have invited Shane Snipes to address sustainability in the context of profit and non-profit businesses.

He has entitled his session, "Quality and choice: How value drives nonprofit and for-profit goals in sustainability." There has been a growing interest in recent years in the potential use of for-profit products or nonprofit social innovation services. The differentiation in sustainability offerings mainly through labeling and certification can be a means of promoting and rewarding the sustainable management and exploitation of natural resources. Greater social impacts can also be created through community social entrepreneurship.

A study of the response of consumers to the introduction of labelled products explores product differentiation to promote sustainable offerings. In the workshop, results will be discussed in the context of ‘quality versus quantity’ of consumer choice. The scale of the effect of labeling has been shown to be greater for quality forms of differentiation than the effect generated by other potential labels.

In nonprofit or social innovation opportunities, quality choice can be used to drive impacts. ‘Sustainable quality’ is a useful framework to determine not only fiscal stability, but also community effectiveness on a broader scale. The workshop will interactively present sustainable quality versus unsustainability quantity. These concepts will then be explored in terms of their practical sustainability applications.

Shane has worked in the field of sustainability for a long time and has extensive international experience in development and sustainability education. He has launched numerous businesses, including his current project Eco-Road Trip where his goal is to conduct 1000 conversations about sustainability around the world.

We request that you RSVP to scnetimpact@gmail.com.

Hope to see you there!

Starbucks tour!

On Thursday Oct. 11th, we went to Gaston, SC to one of the 5 Starbucks roasting facilities in the U.S. We took part in a fascinating tour, filled with facts about Starbucks' history and its sustainable practices. 

We were excited to taste various coffees from around the world while seeing first-hand, the roasting facility functioning at full pace.

Thank you Starbucks for the exciting experience! 

Stay tuned for updates about the Oyster Roast coming up in a couple of weeks! 

September Happy Hour & Fish Fry

What a great night! We had a good turn out at our Happy Hour at Jillian's, and just look at all the smiling faces:

Then it was on to the urban farm City Roots for the annual Fish Fry hosted by the undergrad chapter of Net Impact. What a gem that place is. It's an organic, sustainable farm of almost 3 acres nested within the southern city limits of Columbia. They have 40 different kinds of plantings, a cool and friendly staff, and a fantastic outdoor event space. Just check out the photo below and imagine it with all your favorite people and a prettier sunset, and you'll get a taste of our evening:

We knew a fish fry was in store, but had no idea the undergrads worked their magic and partnered with  Tombo's, one of the best restaurants in Columbia specializing in southern cookin' with locally grown food. Additional items served included hushpuppies,  "chicken slop", and salad. Still can't believe we got all that for just $5. (Now I'm just bragging.)

Great food, good company and an evening outdoors got us excited about planning our upcoming annual Oyster Roast in November! Stay tuned for details...you won't want to miss it!

Jobs That Make A Difference

Are you searching for a job or internship?

If you are a Net Impact member, don't forget to check out the Net Impact Job Board for careers that have a positive social and environmental impact. Access to the job board is free with Net Impact membership!

The Job Board connects undergraduates, MBAs, and professionals with job and internship opportunities in:

• Sustainable and mission-driven businesses and social enterprises

• Corporate responsibility roles and traditional functional roles with impact at for-profit companies
• Innovative nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies

Some of the organizations that regularly hire through the Net Impact Job Board include:

• Nike
• The Gates Foundation
• Kiva
• Walmart
• Global Impact Investing Network
• Teach for America
  ...and many more

Moore receives 4 out of 5 in sustainability and social impact

Check out Net Impact's 2012 release of Business as UNusual here, where Moore received 4 out of 5 in terms of sustainability and social impact. See the full write-up about Net Impact at Moore on page 190 of the 2012 "Business as UNusual" publication.

Speaking Event - Sustainability at Walmart

Net Impact invites you to a presentation by Miranda Ballentine, Director of Sustainability at Walmart, where she will discuss the balance between business and environmental goals in corporate sustainability programs.

What: Speaking Event with Pizza Provided for Attendees

When: Thursday, March 29th, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Where: Room 535, Darla Moore School of Business

As Director of Sustainability for Walmart Stores, Inc., Miranda Ballentine supports colleagues across logistics, operations, energy, merchandising and supply chain innovations to reduce environmental and social impacts across products' lifecycles and in Walmart's global operations.

International Women's Day

Yesterday was International Women's Day, so we thought we would share a video from one of our favorite projects - The Girl Effect.