Comments on: Do Tesco’s Fibs Matter? http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/2009/08/do-tescos-fibs-matter/ ...compare, compete, excel Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:16:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Chris Milton http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/2009/08/do-tescos-fibs-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9252 Chris Milton Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:13:10 +0000 http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/?p=28041#comment-9252 Philip -- very nicely put! It is indeed far too easy to blame the marketing men or to attack simply spin and greenwashing. While I was writing the blog I kept thinking back to the huge degree of cynicism which now informs everyone's purchasing and political decisions. It's a horrible ball of twine and I'm not sure where or how I'd start to try and unravel it. I get the feeling though that CSR may ultimately go a lot further than simple corporate responsibility. Philip — very nicely put! It is indeed far too easy to blame the marketing men or to attack simply spin and greenwashing.

While I was writing the blog I kept thinking back to the huge degree of cynicism which now informs everyone’s purchasing and political decisions.

It’s a horrible ball of twine and I’m not sure where or how I’d start to try and unravel it. I get the feeling though that CSR may ultimately go a lot further than simple corporate responsibility.

]]> By: Chris Milton http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/2009/08/do-tescos-fibs-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9251 Chris Milton Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:09:42 +0000 http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/?p=28041#comment-9251 Sarah -- indeed, this is the sharp end of CSR! However, I feel many people find it difficult to look at how truthful organisations (commercial or otherwise) are: it can be a lot like looking in a mirror sometimes and seeing your own faults exposed for all to see. Sarah — indeed, this is the sharp end of CSR! However, I feel many people find it difficult to look at how truthful organisations (commercial or otherwise) are: it can be a lot like looking in a mirror sometimes and seeing your own faults exposed for all to see.

]]> By: Philip http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/2009/08/do-tescos-fibs-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9247 Philip Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:59:10 +0000 http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/?p=28041#comment-9247 I worked for many years in an environmental organisation. it was a good organisation. we did some pretty wonderful things, some of which I am quite proud of. Yet we couldn't handle missing targets either. Often senior management were concerned that the truth wouldn't look good. One CEO I knew would use the "Daily Record test". How will this announcement read in the tabloid press? Narrowly missing a target is neither here nor there in the great scheme of things, but playing with the truth patently is. Why this is so common place, not just in reporting environmental achievements but admitting to mistakes generally, should be a topic of detailed research. I'd love to blame the PR people, but alas it is not so simple. I worked for many years in an environmental organisation. it was a good organisation. we did some pretty wonderful things, some of which I am quite proud of.

Yet we couldn’t handle missing targets either. Often senior management were concerned that the truth wouldn’t look good. One CEO I knew would use the “Daily Record test”. How will this announcement read in the tabloid press?

Narrowly missing a target is neither here nor there in the great scheme of things, but playing with the truth patently is.

Why this is so common place, not just in reporting environmental achievements but admitting to mistakes generally, should be a topic of detailed research. I’d love to blame the PR people, but alas it is not so simple.

]]> By: Sarah Arrow http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/2009/08/do-tescos-fibs-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9239 Sarah Arrow Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:08:52 +0000 http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/?p=28041#comment-9239 <b>CSR: marketing whose truthfulness can be measured </b> You are on to something here Chris, that's exactly what should be done a league table of honesty on their CSR aspect, and then consumers will really vote with their feet! CSR: marketing whose truthfulness can be measured

You are on to something here Chris, that’s exactly what should be done a league table of honesty on their CSR aspect, and then consumers will really vote with their feet!

]]> By: Chris Milton http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/2009/08/do-tescos-fibs-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9238 Chris Milton Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:39:56 +0000 http://www.corporate-eye.com/blog/?p=28041#comment-9238 Thank you Sarah! Corporate Communications as a whole may be the "next big thing" on the agenda. The amount of spin and marketing which floods our lives is quite phenomenal and it can often be difficult to discern the plain facts. I wonder whether this will be the next step in the world of CSR: marketing whose truthfulness can be measured? Thank you Sarah!

Corporate Communications as a whole may be the “next big thing” on the agenda. The amount of spin and marketing which floods our lives is quite phenomenal and it can often be difficult to discern the plain facts.

I wonder whether this will be the next step in the world of CSR: marketing whose truthfulness can be measured?

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