I have finally got around to updating my website with my Good Business Charter accreditation logo. I joined back in January but “that excuse” has meant not adding the logo when I created the website or since.
So what does this mean? It means I, along with hundreds of other businesses, think there is a better way to do business. Backed by the concept of Ethical Capitalism – essentially “doing the right thing” by customers, employees and society (through avoidance of tax avoidance schemes etc) – it has 10 components.
- Real living wage
- Fairer hours and contracts
- Employee well-being
- Employee representation
- Equality, diversity & inclusion
- Environmental responsibility
- Pay fair tax
- Commitment to customers
- Ethical sourcing
- Prompt payment to suppliers
Of these, the only way I have an issue with – not in the spirit but in the execution – is Ethical Sourcing. I admit that most of my purchases are from Amazon. Usually because I’m after very specific little bits of kit for my filming and livestreaming work. Where there is a price differential of no more than £20, for larger items, with an alternative British supplier then I will use them in preference but there is only so far a business with no income to date can go in order to source ethically and have a hope of staying around long enough to make money. Still I’m trying to do my bit.
