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« Putting Usability Skills to Work for a Good Cause | World Vision »
November 20, 2006
Oxfam vs. Starbucks
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks | Filed under: Business
Development charity Oxfam accuses coffee giant Starbucks of cheating Ethiopian coffee growers. It's a complex little fair trade debate, but what's really sad is seeing a charity and a business fight. Can't we all just get along?
Starbucks puts up a good defense, arguing that the Ethiopian coffee growers need a better solution. Basically, it's more complicated than Oxfam makes it out to be. The reasoned argument, backed up by Starbucks' good corporate citizen reputation, puts Oxfam in an awkward position.
And so yeah, can't we all just get along? Rather than picking fights with corporations, causes need to find ways to work together. Starbucks is certainly no stranger to charity, so why the smear campaign? Working with Starbucks to better understand their side of the story seems like a safer plan. And if Oxfam and Starbucks couldn't come to terms, Oxfam could always find another coffee retailer to partner with and effectively make their voice heard.
Especially after the recent elections it should be clear that a positive message will accomplish more than slinging mud.
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