Joseph Thavaraja

07 Feb 25

Costco shareholders overwhelmingly endorse company DEI

Costco’s battle to preserve its DEI policies against a backlash has been overwhelmingly supported by company shareholders as they approved the DEI policy on January 23. AP reported that “more than 98% of shares voted against the proposal.” “Costco shareholders just destroyed an anti-DEI push” reported CNN on January 24. CNN quoted Lindsey Stewart, director […]

27 Jan 25

Apple triumphs over sudden anti-DEI storm

The well-known tech giant Apple has bravely defended a shareholder proposal from National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), which called to abolish Apple’s DEI policies. NCPPR said Apple’s DEI policies pose “litigation, reputation, and financial risks”. Apple needs no introduction. By mid-January 2025, it stood as the largest company in the world by market […]

22 Jan 25

Costco’s defiant stand on DEI

Costco, the world’s largest retailer of beef, poultry, organic produce, and wine (as of August 2024) has become the latest global brand to brave an anti-DEI onslaught. Costco, a global giant in the wholesale sector, has more than 900 warehouses worldwide. Costco also entered Newsweek’s “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2025” list, along with Walmart, […]

17 Jan 25

McDonald’s announces DEI taken off from its menu, sets the sustainability tone for 2025

The year 2024 was rather bad for DEI. A slew of big brands – John Deere, Jack Daniels, Black & Decker, Ford, Toyota, Zoom and even Walmart – distanced DEI from their social engagement. What is noteworthy is that this was done publicly. Could 2025 be any different for DEI? Y2025 dawned somewhat ominously for […]

19 Dec 24

ESG latest: More than 40% companies not yet performing well!

In a three month period in 2024, the management consulting company Roland Berger surveyed managers and employees at 158 international companies to see how ESG requirements are being implemented (more than a quarter of the respondent companies have revenues of under EUR 500 million, about 30% between EUR 500 million and EUR 5 billion). The […]

03 Dec 24

ESG latest: More than 40% companies not yet performing well!

09 Sep 24

Beyond ESG’s ‘bureaucratic’ outlook: The allure of ‘sustainability’ to the markets

Consumers increasingly go for environmentally and ethically sustainable products. A 2020 McKinsey US consumer sentiment survey showed more than 60% of respondents preferring to pay more for a product with sustainable packaging. A NielsenIQ study found that 78% of US consumers saying that a sustainable lifestyle important to them. ESG’s beginning traces back to a […]

13 Aug 24

Employees Ranked as Top Stakeholders in APAC PR Survey

The “Reputation: APAC Perspectives Report 2024” survey by the world’s largest professional PR body, the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), highlights important perspectives from the regional PR industry. The study was administered among the APAC region’s communications, public relations, and public affairs professionals. The respondents were polled on many aspects. Though the survey was […]

14 Jun 24

2023 Purpose Driven Brands study by Barkley’s

Barkley’s latest exploration into Brand Purpose has unveiled compelling insights that demand attention. Dubbed the “Annual State of Purpose Report,” this study, led by Kansas City-based BarkleyOKRP, an independent creative idea company, brings forth pivotal findings reshaping our understanding of consumer behavior and brand engagement. Amidst global economic concerns, the study reveals a surprising trend: […]

05 Jun 24

Consumer Value and Purpose

In the wake of the pandemic, many brands found themselves on precarious ground, facing the chopping block of consumer preference. The seismic shifts in consumer behavior and priorities underscore a critical truth: survival in today’s market demands a profound alignment between brand purpose and individual values. Gone are the days when consumers passively accepted whatever […]