Life Straw Case Study

The case study of Life Straw asks the question how can person make money and benefit society at the same time. The primary goal of any business is to make a profit, but business also teaches us that it is the organization's responsibility to minimize its negative impact on society and maximize its positive impact. The concept of social responsibility notes that those who choose to do business should do so in a manner that benefits the society in which it does business. In the basic principles of marketing, we learn that marketing's primary focus is to find potential customers needs and satisfy them. So to answer the question of how Life Straw can both make money, and benefit society at the same time, it does so by being a business that's primary goal is to help society, while at the same time turning a profit. Essentially, the company is a for-profit, non-for profit organization. But to be more specific, Life Straw worked how all other businesses should work. Providing a good or service that did not previously exist, in an affordable way, to the people that need it. It took into account the environmental limitations of an area, and literally invented a solution tailor-made for that area. It was a philanthropic endeavor no doubt, but essentially it was no different than any other business finding a market need and satisfying it. The main difference is that this company's offering greatly benefits society and does not carry a price tag that makes it useless to those who need it.

  Seventh Generation is a company that benefits society while maintaining profitability. The company offers cleaning and personal products that are chlorine free, in 100% recycled containers. While not as beneficial to society as Life Straw may be, its main effort is to leave the planet in better condition for future generations. Green Mountain coffee, the world's leading seller of fair-trade coffee, spearheads initiatives to end poverty and hunger in the areas that supply Green Mountain...