The reality is that most companies are not about any values at all - they are about making money. It is extremely rare for a business to stand for anything because most businesses don't want to alienate potential customers, and if you believe in anything you are going to alienate someone.

Jerry Greenfield

Categorized in : You Believe Business Money

Business can be a source of progressive change.

Jerry Greenfield

progressive-change progressive source

When you are led by values, it doesn't cost your business, it helps your business.

Jerry Greenfield

values cost helping

It's good to stand for something, to believe in something and base your business on values.

Jerry Greenfield

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Ice cream is the perfect buffer, because you can do things in a somewhat lighthearted way. Plus, people have an emotional response to ice cream; it's more than just food. So I think when you combine caring, and eating wonderful food, it's a very powerful combination.

Jerry Greenfield

emotional powerful caring

We measured our success not just by how much money we made, but by how much we contributed to the community. It was a two-part bottom line.

Jerry Greenfield

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If you support the community, they will support you.

Jerry Greenfield

support-you support community

Ben & Jerry's is an indulgent dessert that should be eaten in moderation. You should not be replacing more than one meal a day with ice cream. We do not consider a pint or a tub of ice cream to be a single serving.

Jerry Greenfield

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It's to be expected that you make mistakes when you're breaking new ground.

Jerry Greenfield

making-mistakes mistake motivational

Recycling, packaging, businesses are changing all of those things because that's what consumers want.

Jerry Greenfield

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I like that Ben & Jerry's is willing to speak out about social and political issues that aren't always safe - but are the right thing to do.

Jerry Greenfield

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Startups are often very undercapitalised, but I found that to be very beneficial because it forces you not to throw money at problems. Instead, you learn all the nuts and bolts of what you're doing and become an expert.

Jerry Greenfield

problem experts nuts

So much business is based on the belief that we should do whatever we can within legal limits to make as much money as we can. Ben & Jerry's was based on values, and we try to operate a business that not just sells ice cream but partners with all our stakeholders - whether that's suppliers or customers - to bring about a more sustainable world.

Jerry Greenfield

ice-cream trying world

Look at your business and the activities that you undertake. Then, start to think about not just your economic concerns, but about social and environmental impacts that businesses have.

Jerry Greenfield

environmental impact thinking

If you happen to believe what Ben & Jerry's is supporting and involved in, then you should support the company. If you don't believe in what we are supporting, don't support it.

Jerry Greenfield

support should believe

If you open up the mind, the opportunity to address both profits and social conditions are limitless. It's a process of innovation.

Jerry Greenfield

innovation mind opportunity

I'm a pretty laid-back kind of guy. What I've always wanted to do is set up situations in our company where if people who worked there needed help, we would try to help them, and at the same token if the company needed help from people, they would help us. A kind of give and take.

Jerry Greenfield

guy giving people

I eat many different ice creams. I'm not an ice cream snob, although I do think Ben & Jerry's is the best. But I'm happy to eat anybody's ice cream, really. As long as it's good.

Jerry Greenfield

ice-cream long thinking

Don't just do something because it's a trendy idea and will make you a lot of money. The reason I say that is because any kind of venture involves going through difficult times. If you're doing something you are passionate about and really believe in, then that will carry you through.

Jerry Greenfield

passionate believe ideas

Businesses typically look at issues like price, quality, time of delivery. They don't often think about social and environmental impact because they're focused on their financial bottom line.

Jerry Greenfield

impact issues thinking

Businesses can lead with their values and make money, too. You don't have to simply be purely profit-driven. You can integrate social and environmental concerns into a business, be a caring business, be a generous business and still do very well financially.

Jerry Greenfield

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