LOHAS and Changing Consumer Trends

 

Neuroplasticity describes the capacity of the human brain to “rewire” itself in response to injury and dramatically changed circumstances. This phenomenon provides a powerful metaphor for understanding how consumers continuously and fluidly adapt their behaviors in the face of new technologies, challenging economic realities, and shifting cultural norms.

 

“Things that one day seemed impossible seem inevitable in retrospect.” – Condoleezza Rice

Global CSR Study

Cone Communications and Ebiquity, Market: Global, Year: 2015

The 2015 Cone Communications/Ebiquity Global CSR Study reveals one major takeaway for companies: global consumers have officially embraced corporate social responsibility – not only as a universal expectation for companies but as a personal responsibility in their own lives. Consumers see their own power to make an impact in so many ways: the products they buy, the places they work and the sacrifices they are willing to make to address social and environmental issues… Download Here

 
The 2015 Cone Communications/Ebiquity Global CSR Study

Cone Communications, Market: US , Year: 2015

This study reveals one major takeaway for companies: global consumers have officially embraced corporate social responsibility – not only as a universal expectation for companies but as a personal responsibility in their own lives. Despite distinctiveness on a country-by-country level, global consumers remain steadfast as open-minded partners for collaboration to drive forward social and environmental progress. Now, companies must advance CSR beyond a brand-attribute to create an entirely new CSR experience.

 

 
Rethinking Consumption. Consumers and the Future of Sustainability.

BBMG, GlobeScan and SustainAbility. Market Global, 2012

The overarching goal of  this report is to bring the consumer voice into the sustainability conversation and help articulate specific decisions and actions that companies can take to accelerate and grow a more sustainable economy. Developed by BBMG, GlobeScan and SustainAbility, the Regeneration Consumer Study is an online survey of consumer attitudes, motivations and behaviors around sustainable consumption among 6,224 respondents in six major international markets (Brazil, China, Germany, India, United Kingdom and United States). Fielded in September and October 2012, the study represents a holistic exploration of sustainability market trends, priorities and engagement pathways, including information on sustainable consumption, trust, transparency, social issues, behavior change, consumer collaboration, participation and advocacy actions.

 

Why marketers should keep sending you emails

Nora Aufreiter, Julien Boudet, and Vivian Weng -McKinsey&Company, Market: Global, Year:2014

There’s a reason your inbox always seems jam-packed: e-mail marketing works. But companies can get smarter about ensuring every message counts… Read more

 

The Product Mindset

UL Environment, Inc Market: Global, Year: 2014

The Product Mindset is the only global study of its kind, highlighting key findings and insights about the ways manufacturers and consumers think and make decisions about products. For the first time ever, key research findings and priority rankings from The Product Mindset are available for you to analyze, segment and explore through a new interactive tool.Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. reveals six key insights about what is shaping the buying choices consumers make, which is particularly relevant on Black Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

 
DIGITIZING THE CONSUMER DECISION JOURNEY

Source: Mckinsey Market: Global, Year: 2014

In a world where physical and virtual environments are rapidly converging, companies need to meet customer needs anytime, anywhere. Heres how.

STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES FOR COMPETING IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Source: McKinsey Market: Global, Year: 2014

Digitization is rewriting the rules of competition, with incumbent companies most at risk of being left behind. Read about six critical decisions CEOs must make to address the strategic challenge posed by the digital revolution.

THE SEVEN TRAITS OF EFFECTIVE DIGITAL ENTERPRISES

Source: McKinsey Market: Global, Year: 2014

To stay competitive, companies must stop experimenting with digital and commit to transforming themselves into full digital businesses. Here are

seven traits that successful digital enterprises share.

 
“Business Trends 2013” Report To Help Global Leaders Energize Their Strategic Plans and Drive New Growth

Deloitte. Market: Global, Year: 2013

Report summarizes eight emerging trends with the potential to significantly impact global business

Business Trends 2013 is intended to help executives bolster strategic planning efforts, become more interconnected with customers and stakeholders and find opportunities for innovation and growth.

 

The Financial Times special report on Responsible Business 2013

Business in the Community and The Financial Times. Market: UK, Year: 2013

This report explores the role of brands to help consumers make ethical lifestyle choices, the changing nature of NGO activism and its impact on corporate behaviour, values, ethics and employee engagement and social return on investment measurement. The report also acknowledging some of the challenges of responsible business, such as the balance between short-term profit and long-term sustainability, the battle to balance commercial self interest with societal benefit and the growth of anti corporate activism.

 

Designing a winning consumer goods organization

McKinsey & Company. Market: Global, Year: 2012

In this paper, they share the highlights of their research findings and elucidate them by drawing on their extensive experience working with CPG companies worldwide. Specifically, they call attention to six organizational design choices relating to scale; degrees of centralization and specialization in marketing, sales, and back-office functions; location of R&D resources; and investment in emerging markets. They believe these insights can help CPG companies evaluate their current organization design, examine how if at all it diverges from best practice, and determine whether their business strategies truly require different design choices.

Designing_a_winning_consumer_goods_organization_copy.pdf

 

How can marketers build sustainable success?

Business in the Community. Market: UK, Year: 2012

This sustainable marketing publication is targeted at marketing professionals to help them to build sustainability into, rather than onto, their brands.

Historically marketing has been a powerful tool to sell more volume and make more profit. This won’t be a sustainable model for growth in the future. It uses case studies from leading companies and the experiences of marketing directors to enable the profession to play a more central role in the debate around sustainability. The case studies included Cadbury, Marshalls, M&S, Speedy, Unilever, Co-operative Bank, Audi, Diageo.

 

Who cares about the environment in 2012?

NSW Dept Environment and Heritage. Market: Australia, Year: 2012

Who cares about the environment in 2012? is the seventh main survey in this social research series. It examines the environmental knowledge, views, attitudes and behaviour of people in NSW and tracks how these have changed over time.

 

Cone – 2010 Shared Responsibility Study Fact Sheet

Opinion Research Corporation. Market: America, Year: 2010

The 2010 Cone Shared Responsibility Study presents the findings of an online survey conducted April 8-9, 2010 by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) among a representative U.S. sample of 1,045 adults comprising 507 men and 538 women 18 years of age and older. The margin of error associated with a sample of this size is ± 3%.

cone_2010_shared_responsibility_survey_fact_sheet.pdf

Who’s Listening? Who’s Leading? What Matters Most?

Edelman. Market: Global, Year: 2009

This report, produced by Edelman and its research partners, assesses current CR communications trends. It investigates the full range of CR communications, with the goal for this wider purview to shed new light on best practices, as well as on the effectiveness of newer and experimental CR communications efforts.

Edelman_Whos_Listening_Whos_Leading_What_Matters_Most.pdf

 

What Assures Consumers in an Economic Downturn?

Market: UK, Year: 2009

This paper is part of the What Assures research and report series that explores and advances innovative approaches to building credible assurance. What Assures Consumers explores citizens’ potential as change-makers through their own consumption choices. With consumer behaviour in flux and the economy in such uncertain territory, this new analysis from AccountAbility will prove invaluable to consumers, businesses and policy makers alike.

 

Grey: Eye on Australia Media Release

Eye on Australia. Market: Australia, Year: 2009

Now in its 18th year, the Eye on Australia report, conducted in association with Sweeney Research, tracks consumer attitudes across metropolitan and regional areas and provides insights into how Australians are feeling about work, life and the economy. In this year report, it is found that Australians’ satisfaction with life had dropped 2%, from 65% in 2008.

EOA_Media-Release_2009.pdf

 

2009 Survey Report of Consumer Attitudes in Ireland towards Corporate Responsibility

Business in the Community. Market: Ireland, Year: 2009

This report is done by the Business in the Community Ireland and Ipsos MORI, summarizing that the three most important factors to consumers in Ireland when making a judgement about a company are customer service, being honest & open, and product quality.

2009_BITC_Ireland_Consumer_Study.pdf

 

Sustainable Consumption Fact & Trends From a Business Perspective

Market: Global, Year: 2008

This document takes stock of recent developments and trends in global consumption patterns. It presents an overview of documented facts and trends on the relationship between business activities, consumer behavior, and environmental and social challenges.

Sustainable_Consumption_Fact__Trends.pdf

 

Sustainability: Are consumers buying it?

PwC . Market: Global, Year: 2008

The PwC report gives you an insight into what consumers think and how they are likely to behave – as well as how retailers and consumer businesses will need to change to address the issue of sustainability.

sustainability_are_consumers_buying_it.pdf

 

Climate Change and Consumers: The Challenge Ahead

EcoPinion. Market: US, Year: 2008

This fifth EcoPinion Survey focuses on consumers and climate change: customer feelings and levels of personal responsibility in regard to reducing climate change, willingness to take action and what type of actions, perceptions of costs, who should pay and how new revenue should be used. The results provide further evidence of a green gap between high levels of consumer understanding and concern over climate change balanced against conflicted feelings of personal responsibility to “do something” about climate change.

CC__Consumers_EcoPinion.pdf

 

Social Engagement: The Changing Nature of CSR in Asia Pacific

Edelman. Market: Asia Pacific, Year: 2008

Understanding what Corporate Social Responsibility is and what it is not, and knowing how to advise businesses on the competitive advantages and risk mitigation outcomes resulting from CSR practices are essential for public relations advisers and functional managers. Traditionally, all a company had to do to be considered socially responsible in Asia Pacific was to make regular charitable donations. This approach to CSR is no longer enough. In this paper, Edelman looks at the conditions in the region that are converging to mandate sustainable business practices. It also examines the concept of what is called ?Social Engagement’ and how that enables businesses and communities to work together for mutual benefit.

edelman_csrinasia_final_web.pdf

 

EcoPinion – Climate Change and Consumers: The Challenge Ahead

EcoPinion. Market: US, Year: 2008

This fifth EcoPinion Survey focuses on consumers and climate change: customer feelings and levels of personal responsibility in regard to reducing climate change, willingness to take action and what type of actions, perceptions of costs, who should pay and how new revenue should be used. The results provide further evidence of a green gap between high levels of consumer understanding and concern over climate change balanced against conflicted feelings of personal responsibility to “do something” about climate change.

CC__Consumers_EcoPinion.pdf

 

Climate of The Nation – Australian attitudes to climate change and its solutions

Climate Institute. Market: Australia, Year: 2008

This is a research conducted by the Climate Institute examining the Australian’s attitudes towards climate change. Public interest remains strong on climate issues – Nine of 10 Australians are concerned about climate change. However, the public appear to be cautiously sceptical about the major parties and their commitment to climate change.

Climate_of_the_Nation_2008.pdf

 

Visibility, Ambivalence and Trust: Cultural Stumbling Blocks to Greater Household Energy Efficiency

EcoAlign. Market: US, Year: 2008

This paper has been written for EcoAlign to provoke critical thinking on why consumers who may “talk the talk” in relation to understanding global warming and the need for energy conservation do not “walk the walk.” In this essay, the author examines consumption from an anthropological standpoint and suggests that the moral stance taken by many environmentalists against consumption and materialism flies in the face of societal realities, creating ambiguity, guilt and ambivalence among consumers. One logical conclusion of this effect is to shift the emphasis towards changing the nature and quality of consumption rather than the just the quantity.

Visibility_Ambivalance_and_Trust_Household_energyuse.pdf

 

Living LOHAS2 – Consumer Trends Report by Lifestyles Of Health And Sustainability Australia

Lifestyles Of Health And Sustainability Australia. Market: Australia, Year: 2008

Why is it that over 90% of Australians say they care about the environment, but only 10% actively follow through with sustainable purchasing and lifestyle choices that reflect this concern? Living LOHAS2 provides the answer to this question and effective strategies to position your sustainable brand, policy or initiative.

LivingLOHAS2_Summary_MOSS.pdf

 

SOCAP newsletter March 2008

The Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals Australia. Market: Australia, Year: 2008

Newsletter from the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals Australia in March 2008.

SOCAP_newsletter.pdf

 

Edelman Trust Barometer 2008

Edelman. Market: Global, Year: 2008

The 2008 Edelman Trust Barometer is the company’s ninth survey on trust and credibility. With this year’s survey, it includes – for the first time – the opinions of 25-to-34-year-olds in 12 countries. This younger cohort was sampled concurrently with the 35-to-64-year-old group in 18 countries.

trust-barometer-2008.pdf

 

BBC World Service Poll 2007

BBC. Market: Global, Year: 2007

This is a new BBC World Service poll of 22,000 people in 21 countries. Most people say they are ready to make personal sacrifices – including paying more for their energy – to help address climate change. These results hold true in the US and China, the two countries that emit the largest amounts of carbon dioxide. Urban Chinese are among those most ready to change their lifestyle (86%), to see the cost of energy go up (83%) and to pay higher taxes on coal and oil (85%)…BBC_Climate2_Release_Final.doc

 

What Assures Consumers on Climate Change? – Switching on Citizen Power

Market: UK & US, Year: 2007

As many surveys over the past couple of years have shown, there are an increasing number of consumers who are concerned about climate change and who say they are willing to make changes in their purchasing and lifestyle choices. However, when looking at actual consumer behavior, it is clear that actions have yet to catch up with the level of concern. The survey’s findings support the case for stronger consumer assurance on the climate change impacts of their consumption choices, but also temper this call for support with notes of caution about the true consumer appetite for informed choice as a driver of change.

What_Assures_Consumers_on_Climate_Change.pdf

 

The second annual Edelman Goodpurpose Study

Edelman. Market: Global, Year: 2007

The results of the second annual Edelman goodpurpose study tell us that that across the globe people’s sense of commitment to helping others-and to brands and companies that share that commitment-remains strong. The study shows that 83% of consumers are willing to change their own consumption habits to help make tomorrow’s world a better place.

Edelman_goodpurpose_community_-_Study.mht

 

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Monitor 2007

CSR Monitor. Market: Global, Year: 2007

The CSR Monitor has been tracking the changing expectations of consumers, shareholders, employees, and Opinion Leaders annually since 1999. This research-based management tool monitors the external stakeholder views that affect CSR strategy development, and allows companies to make informed decisions on initiatives, strategies, and communications for their corporate citizenship programs.

CSR07_Brochure_PDF.pdf

 

BBC World Service Poll 2007

BBC. Market: Global, Year: 2007

This is a new BBC World Service poll of 22,000 people in 21 countries. Most people say they are ready to make personal sacrifices – including paying more for their energy – to help address climate change. These results hold true in the US and China, the two countries that emit the largest amounts of carbon dioxide. Urban Chinese are among those most ready to change their lifestyle (86%), to see the cost of energy go up (83%) and to pay higher taxes on coal and oil (85%)…

BBC_Climate2_Release_Final.doc

 

The 2007 Edelman Australia Stakeholder Study: Trust at the Crossroads in Australia

Edelman. Market: Australia, Year: 2007

A Trust report done by Edelman to examine and understand trust in Australian institutions and the drivers of CSR in Australia. The report suggests businesses to understand stakeholder expectations, select the right mix of “media” and

communication channels, and engage in dialogue not monologue, in order to gain trust from stakeholders.

2007EdelmanAustraliaStakeholderStudy_004.pdf

 

Rethinking Corporate Social Responsibility – A Fleishman-Hillard/National Consumers League Study

Fleishman-Hillard Inc. and the National Consumers League (NCL). Market: US, Year: 2007

Fleishman-Hillard Inc. partnered with the National Consumers League (NCL) to conduct a unique benchmark survey that would assess consumer attitudes toward and behaviors regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR), as well as the role that media and technology play in informing people about what companies are doing to be socially responsible in 2005. In 2006, the two organizations partnered again to track consumers’ opinions of CSR over the past year and to more deeply explore an area inspired by the findings of 2005 – consumers’ opinions on corporate social responsibility at the local, or community, level.

csr_and_consumer_survey_executivesummary.pdf

 

The Green Gap: Communications and Language

EcoPinion. Market: US, Year: 2007

The EcoPinion Survey confirms the existence of a green gap between the communications and language commonly used by companies and stakeholders in the energy and environment space and customers’ understanding, acceptance and perceptions of value around terms such as energy efficiency, energy conservation, demand response, smart energy and clean energy. The green gap in communications contributes to a growing misalignment between customers’ stated intentions, e.g., their desire to be more green or frugal with energy consumption, and their actual behavior.

EcoPinionSurveyReport01Final.pdf

 

Future Chinese Consumers

The McKinsey Quarterly Chart Focus. Market: Chinese, Year: 2007

Chinese market has been expanding. The McKinsey Quarterly Chart Focus Newsletter suggests with the increasing income of Chinese workers, multinational companies cannot afford to ignore the changes in Chinese social environment. Look out more to help build comprehensive market strategies to dig into the potential Chinese market.

Future_Chinese_consumers.doc

 

Deeds without words

Corporate Australia. Market: Australia, Year: 2006

Corporate Australia has tried hard to engage more actively with the general community and to become more closely involved with charitable and other not-for-profit causes. But the average consumer still thinks big business has little or no social conscience.

Deeds_without_words.pdf

 

2006 Annual Edelman Trust Barometer

Edelman. Market: Global, Year: 2006

Person like yourself or your peer is seen as the most credible spokesperson about a company and among the top three spokespeople in every country surveyed. Edelman’s annual trust report provides thought of how powerful trust can be.

Edelman_Trust_Barometer.pdf

 

Westpac Disability Action Plan

Westpac. Market: Australia, Year: 2001

The banking industry has undergone massive change. Deregulation and the rapid evolution of technology has seen the explosion of new products, services and delivery channels including ATMs, EFTPOS, telephone banking, smart cards and Internet banking. At the same time the nature of the Australian population has changed. As a result of the higher proportion of aged people, the number of Australians with disabilities has increased. They now represent nearly one-fifth of the population. Westpac creates this action plan aiming to create an environment in which customers with disabilities have equitable access to our products and services, and staff with disabilities can thrive in our workplace.

Westpac_Disabilities_act.rtf

 

Edelman Trust Barometer

Edelman Public Relations. Market: Global Annual Report

The Edelman Trust Barometer measures the state of trust around the world by exploring trust in institutions, industries, leaders and the impact of recent crises in the banking and financial service sectors. The data interesting reveals that the factors responsible for shaping current trust levels are less important than those that will build future trust.

 

Goodpurpose: Consumer Attitudes and Social Purpose Study

The goodpurpose® study is PR firm Edelman’s annual global research that explores consumer attitudes around social purpose, including their commitment to specific societal issues and their expectations of brands and corporations.

 

Meaningful Brands

Meaningful Brands is a global analytical framework to connect human well-being with brands at a business level. It measures the benefits brands bring to our lives. It measures the impact of the brand’s benefits alongside its impact on 12 different areas of well-being (such as health, happiness, financial, relationships and community among others) and is the basis for “The Meaningful Brand Index” (MBi).

 

The ‘M’ Word: A Brand With A Conscience

Market: Australia

Companies are no longer competing on product, service or price alone. A new field of competition for business has emerged and we’re seeing it promoted through some refreshingly different marketing campaigns. While definitions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) can vary, it’s essentially about the responsibility of business to consider the effects of its decisions and behaviours on all stakeholders, not just shareholders. Stakeholders can include (but are not limited to) employees, customers, non-government organisations, governments and local communities.

THE_M_WORD_CUSTOMER_SATISFACTION_-_ISSUE_21.htm

 

Globescan Climate Change Monitor – An international survey on people’s attitudes toward energy and climate change

Globescan Climate Change Monitor. Market: Global – Ongoing

The general public is increasingly concerned and will have significant influence on government policies, regulations, technology choices, and markets. GlobeScan’s Climate Change Monitor is based on robust, trackable public opinion research conducted in 20 key markets around the world. The Climate Change Monitor explores the views, attitudes, and behavior of the general public and informal opinion leaders across 20 countries relating to energy and climate change. For more information, refer:

www.globescan.com/ccm_overview.htm