building a business with a social mission

method co-founder Eric Ryan has written a great article over on Fast Company. Check out an excerpt:

"After ten years in business and hundreds of innovations, we can still confidently say that our proudest achievement at method remains our first: launching a company with a social mission to do good in the world. It was the right thing to do for society and the planet, and we’ve proven that it’s the right thing to do for the bottom line too. The rapid expansion of media transparency is producing increasingly well-informed and discriminating consumers. Similarly, the influx of socially and environmentally conscious Gen Yers into the workforce is redefining the war for talent. These two shifts challenge most established businesses -- but they're also significant competitive advantages to mission-driven companies.

Having a purpose larger than profits has been key to our success. By contrast, most corporate values are just that--the values of the corporation. No matter how much ambition, camaraderie, and loyalty an employee brings to work, no one is taking those corporate values home to share with friends and family. But those same values become immeasurably more meaningful when they’re tied to a higher purpose.

It’s human nature to want to be a part of something bigger than oneself. But we're still amazed at how many cover letters we get that open with lines like, “My goal is to work for a values- and mission-driven business.” But working with purpose and values isn’t just a matter of individual growth; finding meaning in work is central to a strong corporate culture..."

You can read the entire piece here.

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One item of product interest I took from the article was this line "...I was in Detroit looking at how the urban art movement could be supported by our upcoming Design Series product." Hmm! Looks like method is heading into design series packaging (seen on other products that take a specific design, art style or artist(s), and have their designs/art placed on the packaging.) Should be interesting and exciting! But wait, why haven't I gotten a call? (wink!)