Although I never saw the article, I stopped shopping at whole foods last year after buying a few products on the shelf that were stale or something.

When it first happened wf accepted a return with no questions asked. After a few times I decided it wasn't worth taking a chance and to shop elsewhere.

Astounding that they'd let it die on the vine. The two posts that are there have 50 and 27 comments respectively. Doesn't that tell them that they are on to something?

Recycling's a good thing right? Not always. It's all very well re-using content for blog posts but surely the whole ethos of blogging would be better served if they'd linked to the article/interview and actually made some comments around it?

Sounds like they (like many companies) don't understand blogs, the power of content (for good and bad) and how the 2 work together.

I just recently read an article about why CEO's should launch a blog and what benefits it does have. And I had the same concern you did. One of the concerns about a CEO having a blog was in fact the upkeep. If you are going to have a blog and spend time launching it, then it only seems logical to keep up with it. Although, I am guilty of having a blog almost three semesters ago in my first class with Robert and leaving it stale after the course was over, I am not a CEO of a large company. People do not look at my blogsite because I am representing a company. I am not the spokesperson for a company.

I do understand that being a CEO is not the most laid back job, and time-managing is an issue, but my answer to that is if you have time to think it you have time to do it. A CEO is extremely busy, but they know that from the get-go. So if a CEO doesn't think they will have time, well then don't take the time to launch a blog because then it just becomes a waste of links on your company's website.

It is just simple logic that having a blog and not posting in it is like buying a pair of shoes and not wearing them. Eventually the shoes get pushed into the back of your closet and forgotten. The same with blogs, if you don't post in it, it is worthless. People will forget you have it and it will get pushed into the back of their minds. And then the purpose of having it is lost.

Updating a blog and keeping the material fresh will entice more people to visit it. New material gives your audience a reason to continually check your blogsite, and if you are using the blog to promote your company updating it will keep your company in the minds of others.

I own and started a coffee company 2 years ago to help local homeless children in Atlanta and orphans around the world. Since it is a “side” business we decided there would not be any overhead or salaries all the profits would go to help the impoverished children. For the past 2 years my business has grown through both on line orders and through the sale at churches around Atlanta Georgia. I recently approached WFM - Southeastern Corporate Office about selling my coffee in the local stores. The easy answer would have been no - I don’t have any brand recognition and WFM already has so many great coffee vendors. However I was pleasantly surprised to get the WFM response: you are a small local vendor and we like to support the small guys; and you are helping our community with your projects and we are an active member in helping our community so we would like to partner with you. I can proudly say I received my purchase orders this past week from WFM and my organic coffee will be on display this week at the 7 Whole Foods Markets in Atlanta. All the proceeds from the sales will go to a Family Crisis Center in Atlanta - where moms and children are left homeless due to spousal abuse. So the WFM customers get to try a great new organic coffee from a one man company while we get to help hundreds of homeless children. Doug and team are helping me setting up samplings and marketing so people will try a coffee that no one knows about - because as he says weat WFM are all about community.

Go to a grocery store and look at the products - the shelves are all controlled by huge conglomerates. Very few companies are willing to help the little guys and to really help the community. So many people preach - very few really act and live.
Thank you.

But it gets better. While we were going through setting up the paperwork and them teaching me about the WFM - John Simrell told his financial team about our new partnership. Well your employees on their own had a quick on the spot “lets help” campaign. Your employees brought in hundreds of clothes, books, shoes and toys for the Family Crisis Center - so much I have carried 2 large truckloads so far. We haven’t sold the first bag of coffee yet but WE are already making a difference.

So many companies talk the game of helping community but its been truly amazing to see the WFM culture and spirit at work. I recognize the risks your SE Office is taking in giving me an unknown some shelf space but its so refrshing to see a company do what they preach.

Again thanks for your new “Conscious Capitalism: Creating a New Paradigm for Business” - its very alive in Atlanta Georgia.

Sincerely,

Boake Moore
Mission Grounds Gourmet Coffee
“The Coffee Helping Children”

Maybe you should just ask what the CEO is up to. In this case he happens to be out of the country focusing his time on the Whole Planet Foundation. If you don't what this foundation is or about you should look into it. John happens to be very passionate about this foundation and decided to put his whole heart and passion into its success. I am pretty sure when he gets back to the states he will love to answer any questions that anyone may have for him, he has never backed down from controversy, thats just one of things that is so wonderful about Whole Foods Market.