Focusing on the well-being of people and the environment
Recently, a workshop manager told us "now is the time for companies to open their hearts"... It is also the time for company parties, for appreciative words, for solidarity and gifts that express joy in good cooperation. What would an economy look like in which people would work all year round for the "good of man and nature"? We present three companies that have taken a closer look at this, described it and developed it further for their business according to the approach of "Gemeinwohloekonomie" (public welfare economics).
Financial partnership in the region | The Wuelser painting business in Winterthur attaches great importance to cooperation with local business partners who themselves pursue a transparent pricing policy and pay fair wages (criterion A2, C2)*. The SME also scores well in the criterion "Social attitude in dealing with funds (B2)*" and is rated as exemplary by the peer group. Since the owners themselves work as managing directors, they do not make any profit distributions and provide the company with the necessary own funds. Among other things, the company is still working on reducing mobility, which represents a challenge in the skilled trades.
More about the painting business Wuelser in SRF-Interview or her GWÖ Kompaktbilanz (pdf)
Transparency in the company (C4)*, with co-enterprises (D4) and customers (E4) | The team of the medical practice "Medizin Feminin" experiences the medical effectiveness of the methods of their practice almost daily: One employee prepares daily healthy meals with loving care (see picture). Juices are prepared with herbs that can currently be found in the area. The effectiveness of therapeutic methods is discussed internally as well as with partner companies and passed on in courses. The managing director Dorin Ritzmann has developed numerous technical aids and phytotherapeutic compositions and has consciously decided against patenting and for publication under Creative Commons 3.0. On the website customers* as well as generally interested people will find ...
... Valuable ideas to become healthy, feel good and phytomedicine
Would you like to learn how to create a "common good" balance sheet? | A good first introduction is the 2-minute video (right). In the context of the module Sustainability management for companies of the ZHAW in Wädenswil, a group of about 30 students will prepare a public interest balance sheet for the Meier Garden Center in Dürnten in spring 2020. Here you can see the results of the last student research project of the company Hosberger AG, the market leader in the field of organic eggs, for example (...)
You can also take a look at a regional group of the Common Welfare Economy Movement, which organizes regular meetings with presentations and company visits in Bern/Biel, Lucerne, St.Gallen, Winterthur and Zurich. Interested companies can also join a peer group, which will write its own GWÖ balance sheet accompanied by experienced "Gemeinwohlbilanzern".
More about the Swiss public welfare economy movement on the (new!) website
* The abbreviations refer to these Common balance matrix. More info.
