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"The only way to build a great, enduring company is by linking shareholder value with value for employees."
--Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks
Schultz was on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart on Monday night and made the announcement that Starbucks would pay for two years of classes for employees through Arizona State University's online program.
This is awesome. I assume there's some restrictions, like maybe you have to work there six months to a year before you're eligible, but it covers both part-time and full-time employees. I believe he said that Starbucks also has a $15 an hour minimum wage.
Then today I read a great article on NPR about a new classification of corporation called a Benefit Corp. The thing that is so strikingly different is that they are protected under law from suits brought by shareholders who complain that they're putting environmental responsibility (among other things) over profit and shareholder value.
This is just beyond awesome and something that the world really needs. Not all states have this structure in place, but it is growing. The article says "For example, in Nevada, the state's incorporation document clearly lists as an option. And 236 companies signed up in only four months...", so clearly there is an interest in such a thing.
http://www.npr.org/2014/06/18/316349988/benefit-corporations-look-beyond-the-profit-motive
--Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks
Schultz was on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart on Monday night and made the announcement that Starbucks would pay for two years of classes for employees through Arizona State University's online program.
This is awesome. I assume there's some restrictions, like maybe you have to work there six months to a year before you're eligible, but it covers both part-time and full-time employees. I believe he said that Starbucks also has a $15 an hour minimum wage.
Then today I read a great article on NPR about a new classification of corporation called a Benefit Corp. The thing that is so strikingly different is that they are protected under law from suits brought by shareholders who complain that they're putting environmental responsibility (among other things) over profit and shareholder value.
This is just beyond awesome and something that the world really needs. Not all states have this structure in place, but it is growing. The article says "For example, in Nevada, the state's incorporation document clearly lists as an option. And 236 companies signed up in only four months...", so clearly there is an interest in such a thing.
http://www.npr.org/2014/06/18/316349988/benefit-corporations-look-beyond-the-profit-motive
