Comments on: Are We Different Enough?? http://www.companywekeep.net/are-we-different-enough/ South Mountain, Employee Ownership and the Business of Community and Place Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:44:09 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: jabrams http://www.companywekeep.net/are-we-different-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-25 jabrams Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:09:07 +0000 http://kdsmc.info/blog/?p=66#comment-25 Rodney, Thanks for the Equal Exchange "different list" - it's mighty impressive. I doubt there are many companies who have ventured so far into the rich territory of democracy in the workplace and social responsibility. EE sets the bar high, and doesn't flinch. Thanks also for the Community Wealth site - I wasn't aware of this treasure. Rodney,
Thanks for the Equal Exchange “different list” – it’s mighty impressive. I doubt there are many companies who have ventured so far into the rich territory of democracy in the workplace and social responsibility. EE sets the bar high, and doesn’t flinch. Thanks also for the Community Wealth site – I wasn’t aware of this treasure.

]]> By: Paul Millman http://www.companywekeep.net/are-we-different-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Paul Millman Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:28:47 +0000 http://kdsmc.info/blog/?p=66#comment-24 Thanks for keeping the discussion going. Thanks for keeping the discussion going.

]]> By: Rodney North http://www.companywekeep.net/are-we-different-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Rodney North Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:32:46 +0000 http://kdsmc.info/blog/?p=66#comment-23 John, Here at Equal Exchange we've, too, have asked ourselves "Are we still different" - though for us the impetus was that some of once-unique traits (importing Fair Trade and organic foods) were, thankfully, being adopted more and more often by our peers in the marketplace. Consequently we realized that our worker co-op structure, and how we combined it with our Fair Trade and advocacy goals, was our most distinct feature. And though it's not eloquent like your post today, we did draw up a pretty long list of what is still "different:" about our co-op. Folks can read it at http://www.equalexchange.coop/not-business-as-usual Also, I wanted to share two resources with you and your readers. The NCBA will be doing an introductory webinar on Oct. 1st on worker co-operatives. see: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/114461235 And I'd encourage folks to check out http://www.community-wealth.org/ -- (from the site: "Our goal is to provide you with the web's most comprehensive and up-to-date information resource on state-of-the-art strategies for democratic, community-based economic development. ") It was created by Gar Alperovitz, author of "American Beyond Capitalism". John,
Here at Equal Exchange we’ve, too, have asked ourselves “Are we still different” – though for us the impetus was that some of once-unique traits (importing Fair Trade and organic foods) were, thankfully, being adopted more and more often by our peers in the marketplace.

Consequently we realized that our worker co-op structure, and how we combined it with our Fair Trade and advocacy goals, was our most distinct feature.

And though it’s not eloquent like your post today, we did draw up a pretty long list of what is still “different:” about our co-op.
Folks can read it at http://www.equalexchange.coop/not-business-as-usual

Also, I wanted to share two resources with you and your readers.
The NCBA will be doing an introductory webinar on Oct. 1st on worker co-operatives. see: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/114461235

And I’d encourage folks to check out http://www.community-wealth.org/ —
(from the site: “Our goal is to provide you with the web’s most comprehensive and up-to-date information resource on state-of-the-art strategies for democratic, community-based economic development. “)

It was created by Gar Alperovitz, author of “American Beyond Capitalism”.

]]> By: Jay http://www.companywekeep.net/are-we-different-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Jay Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:39:38 +0000 http://kdsmc.info/blog/?p=66#comment-22 Nice post. I often think along similar terms when thinking about worker cooperatives. This question of being "different enough" to me is really a question of whether our model has the potential to deeply transform society. You definitely pick up on that same idea, which is great to see. Excellent blog. Nice post. I often think along similar terms when thinking about worker cooperatives. This question of being “different enough” to me is really a question of whether our model has the potential to deeply transform society. You definitely pick up on that same idea, which is great to see.

Excellent blog.

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