Guest Post: Doing good while doing well

IT'S easy to think of companies big and small as existing for no other reason than to make money -- and piles of it. They are greedy, out to pull a fast one on their employees and consumers, and certified tax dodgers. But after having been involved in the business section for 16 years, I have come to realize that not all of them are like that. I would even dare say that there are more companies out there that are not only doing well, but doing good as well in one way or another. And it makes business sense to do that because the more sophisticated consumers today want more for their money than just a good quality product and service. When faced with two choices, consumers will likely favor that company that they believe does something more with their profit, like channeling a good portion to help the environment or put a needy child through school. Just look at Body Shop. To its legions of loyal customers around the world, it does not matter that their shampoos, lotions or body scrubs easily cost twice as much as the popular brand lining the supermarkets. They are still willing to shell out the extra cash because they are attracted to the Body Shop's promise that it stands up for women's rights, is against animal testing and celebrates women as they are -- wrinkles and all. It is heartening to note that the Philippines does not lack for examples and we can talk about more of them in the following weeks.