Would you pay more to support positive social change?

Nielsen Research reports:

“More than half (55%) of global respondents in Nielsen’s corporate social responsibility survey say they are willing to pay extra for products and services from companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact—an increase from 50 percent in 2012 and 45 percent in 2011. Regionally, respondents in Asia-Pacific (64%), Latin America (63%) and Middle East/Africa (63%) exceed the global average and have increased 9, 13 and 10 percentage points, respectively, since 2011.”

How does this relate to nonprofits?  Many nonprofits provides a service that competes with for-profit companies.  Senior housing is one example.  Would you prefer living in a senior housing community that is run by a nonprofit rather than owned by a for-profit corporation?

Nielsen Research shows that people are leaning toward putting their dollars to work, not only for their own benefit, but to benefit others as well.

 

 

 

 

The Real Donald Sterling Punishment

Much has been written and said about Donald Sterling’s ban from basketball, his $2,5 million fine and the NBA’s insistence that he sell his team.  After weeks of legal maneuvering, it is all but a done deal that the team will be sold to Steve Ballmer for $2 billion.

Donald Sterling is the most hated man in America, according to some polls.  He is despised for what he said about African-Americans and rightfully so.  In the light of a boycott by the NBA Players Assn. the punishment came swift and harsh.  But is that his real punishment?

Before this fiasco, Donald Sterling was hardly a household name, certainly not outside of Los Angeles.  But those of us who live in Los Angeles know has name because he has spent millions of dollars giving to a wide range of charities to buy personal goodwill.  Further, he created and placed constant advertisement in the Los Angeles Times and in other media touting his benevolence.  To Sterling, his reputation was everything.  He wanted everybody to know that he was a good, charitable and wonderful person, and for that he was willing to pay dearly.  If he wasn’t honored, he would arrange to honor himself.  If he wasn’t publicly thanked by a charity, he would arrange to be thanked, even if paid for the ads himself.

But now that the saga seems to be coming to an end. Sterling and his wife will be $2 billion richer, but at the cost of what he valued most — his reputation.  All the millions of dollars and effort over the years to convince the public of his greatness has vanished into thin air.  He has gone from benefactor to villain in a few short weeks.

There is nothing that Donald Sterling can now buy with his $2 billion that he couldn’t buy before.  But there is no amount of money that will allow him to buy back his reputation.

That is gone forever.