Since we made the commitment and purchased carbon credits a couple of weeks ago we have been trying to find out if we are first – not because we want kudos but because we want to connect with other newsagents who have taken this step. If your newsagency is carbon neutral please email me as I’d like to compare notes and see how we can encourage more newsagents to take this step.
In partnership with easy being green we have become carbon neutral for the next year by purchasing carbon credits. We have also committed to reducing our emissions, improving our recycling program and cutting overall energy use. Through newsXpress we are active participants in a printer cartridge recycling program for our business and for our customers.
By stumping up cash to achieve carbon neutrality for the next year we have put our money where our mouth is. We have also committed to being better citizens. Many of us saw the Al Gore film, An Inconvenient Truth, and have been challenged to reduce the damage we are doing to the world.
We could have quite easily not taken this step – I don’t expect it to generate extra sales for us. It’s not about profit. This is a decision I made as part of our commitment to genuine social responsibility.
While the big end of town gets kudos from Planet Ark, I am pleased to have found a partner interested in working with small business not only in achieving carbon neutrality but also in offering educational facilities so we can make a more practical contribution.
Advertising representatives working for a major suburban newspaper group have had their sales quota increased by 10% for the second time in twelve months. The quota must be reached before commission is paid. For many, the quota goal is unattainable. This move effectively operates as a pay cut. During the same period the same company has increased advertising rates.
This is a poster we have emailed today to newsagents partnering in our Find It online classifieds business We’re asking them to print the poster and stick it on their window – after cutting between the tear off strips at the bottom.
Windows campaigns for the various Find It categories have been successful over the last three months. This latest poster connects with the philanthropic side of Find It – more than 60% of our categories will be free even after we start charging.
Click the image to download a PDF of the poster for yourself. You’re welcome to place it anywhere. You can read more about our views on philanthropy at the Find It blog.
Bill Gates, Richard Branson and Warren Buffet grab the headlines when they give away billions of dollars. Lesser mortals get no coverage for giving away clothes, furniture and other things they no longer need. They probably don’t want media attention for their generosity.
Everyday philanthropy is important to any society. While we can leave our bags of clothes and other items in dump bins in car parks or at the door of the Salvation Army, Goodwill or other charity organisations, there is nothing quite like giving something directly to someone who will benefit from the gift. One to one philanthropy.
At Find It we want to help you do that, we want to help you give things which, you no longer use or need, away. It’s part of our contribution to a better world. I’d call it web 2.0 philanthropy.
We have introduced free listings at our Find It website. We want to connect people with things to give away with people in need. The only rule is that the transaction is free – it has to be a genuine gift. Under Available and Wanted you can describe the item, include photos and provide your contact details – all free.
While Bill, Richard and Warren will continue to get the headlines for their efforts, its individuals who can touch lives through personal one to one giving.
I posted this earlier today at the Find It Blog and re post it here because of the different readership community