.webp){kind=small}
Key takeaways
- Over the past several decades, consumers no longer simply consume. They expect more out of products and the companies make them. Conscious consumerism is on the rise, and brands need to adapt.
- Physical environment matters when it comes to shaping human behavior. When it comes to corporate culture, there are fascinating differences in how teams across the world work based on what is around them.
- Are you having a hard time coming up with great ideas? There are things you can do to help spur creativity and come up with that next innovation.
What does Conscious Consumerism mean for your brand?
Once upon a time, the “organic movement” was all the rage. It didn’t take long for agriculture, as well as food and beverage, to react, giving rise to a $48 billion industry. Today, consumers have gone even further. Not only do they demand better food options, they want purchases of all types to reflect their values, including a passion for social issues. This new “Conscious Consumer” wants companies to be thoughtful in the way they conduct businesses, both in terms of product and policy. As the Drum summarizes, “brands are being forced to readdress every part of their supply chain and production process, not just tweak a small element to ‘green wash’ and promote to the public.”
Whether companies are truly conscientious or are simply afraid of being pushed aside, brands are making changes. For example, it is because of conscious consumerism that fast food giant McDonalds began using paper straws. And as well-known companies put environmental and societal issues on the top of their agendas, new companies have even been born. See how these emerging concepts are changing business as usual – in particular, how Sea Chips, a product made of salmon-skin, is turning waste into snacks.
How corporate cultures differ around the world
According to Harvard Business Review, while we all have individual work styles, it is the external environment that can play a strong factor in shaping the culture of an organization. As cultures differ across the world so do the environments that people work in, resulting in fascinating differences between corporate cultures across borders.
For instance, the study recognized that organizations in Africa are more open to change through innovation, agility, and diversity, while Eastern European and Middle Eastern corporate cultures favor stability, safety, and authority. South American companies thrive in a fun and light-hearted work environment, while those in Asian countries emphasize order and cooperation. Read more of the interesting study here.
5 Tricks to never run out of ideas again
Have you ever experienced writers block? Or been asked to brainstorm ideas, only to be left navigating an awkward silence? If you are having trouble finding words, it may be because you don’t have enough on your mind. Your output comes from input and you can’t produce if you don’t consume. To be an idea generator, the creative mind needs to be stimulated with books, conversation, and new experiences. Exposure to good ideas helps us come up with great ideas, even if it just sparks a single piece of a larger picture.
This post’s author reminds us that often our best ideas come when we’re not trying. Having a capturing mechanism is critical in letting those sparks of inspiration fly. Read more about idea incubation and execution here.
This CBD brand pop-up wants your unwanted products
Charlotte’s Web, a leader in the CBD-infused product space, recently opened a CBD swap pop-up that encourages people to trade in CBD products from any brand in return for Charlotte’s Web’s high-quality CBD products. Through the activation, the brand is eager to educate consumers about how their products are made, as well as their wellness benefits, speaking directly to conscious consumerism. But it is also clear that the brand is keen to address the competition in what has become a booming market.
Although Charlotte’s Web is a Colorado-based company, the pop-up took place in Miami to coincide with Art Basel. The pop-up was born from the brand’s “Trust the Earth” campaign mission to promote hemp. The pop-up was effective in both acquiring new CBD curious consumers and teaching them that not all CBD is created equal. Check out the space here.