Have you ever purchased a product with a label that says something like "A portion of all profits go to charity"? While I applaud the giving I am left wondering how much is given. Is 1/2 a percent or 10 percent? Does it vary when profits are good or bad? Is it genuine or am I being manipulated? Why not provide full disclosure and complete integrity? Don't get me wrong, there is some good work being done by good people. I'm just saying.
So people who know me well know I have a shoe thing. That's right. I'm a man and I like shoes! I'm no Imelda Marcos, but I do have a few pairs in the closet.
A while back I heard about Toms Shoes and their mission of social responsibility. I did not run out and buy a pair, but I heard their story. Last week I was thinking of ordering a pair of casual shoes for travel that I have coming up and I ended up ordering a pair of Toms from Zappos (The Valhalla of Shoes). The shoes arrived last evening. The are comfortable and unique enough that you can tell a great story when someone mentions what you are wearing. The story is for every pair of shoes purchased Toms gives a pair of shoes to a child in need. That, my friends, is a pretty clear message about giving!