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 Consultant Takatsugu Kitajima invited as guest speaker |
On August 28, 2009, Brother Industries, Ltd. hosted an event to compare environmental websites of other companies and improve the Brother Group's environmental website. Mr. Takatsugu Kitajima, who is a CSR/environmental consultant, and an environmental website production partner were invited to the event. About 20 Brother employees involved in eco activities joined the event to exchange opinions on how to present the Brother Group's environmental information more clearly for readers.
At the start of the event, Mr. Kitajima explained the characteristics of a good environmental website, using other companies' websites as examples, and then explained the desirable characteristics of the Brother Group's environmental website. After his presentation, participants were divided into groups to compare the Brother Group's environmental website with those of other companies, and to discuss good and bad points, and improvements required, of the Brother Group's website, as well as good points of other websites. Here are some of the comments from participants: "Specific examples would help readers' understanding." "This event enabled us to take an impartial look at the advantages and disadvantages of our website."
At the end of the event, Mr. Kitajima gave tips to the participants, which included the importance of day-to-day communications to improve the website. Meanwhile, the website production partner commented, "The environmental annual report is a tool for disclosing information. If the PDCA cycle is followed when posting information, the website will be more reader-friendly and allow Brother to share awareness with readers."
A number of issues have been identified through this event. Firstly, website links will be improved immediately (which can be done easily) to enhance the website and make it more user-friendly for stakeholders.
Staging dialogs with stakeholders on the theme of how not to threaten eco-systems
Aiming for sustainable economic activity
 Opening of a dialogue |
Brother Industries constructively creates opportunities to talk with stakeholders so that we can plot a course to future activities based on their opinions.
It is essential towards sustainable economic activity to preserve biodiversity. Brother Industries staged a dialogue with stakeholders on the theme of "What Can a Business Do to Not Threaten Eco-Systems" on October 7, 2008. Some 37 persons from government, NPOs, the general public and business participated in the dialogue.
The dialogue began with Yasushi Hibi, the Director of Conservation International Japan speaking about the current threats to eco-systems and values of eco-system services in the form of a response to the question of "Why is biodiversity so important?" After that, governmental offices and businesses introduced their activities. Lastly, opinions were exchanged on a variety of topics including "What is demanded of businesses in consideration of the connection between business activities and biodiversity?" and "What activities can be developed from cooperation between businesses or cooperation between businesses and other sectors?"
past activitiesThinking about "environmental education" at Brother Industries together with stakeholders
On March 8, 2007, a dialogue was staged with stakeholders at the Brother Communication Space under the theme of "thinking about the ‘environmental education' of Brother Industries." It was participated in by persons from NPOs, government, businesses and the general public and, given today's global environmental problems, we received opinions from diverse angles on possible future directions of environmental education at Brother Industries. We will be using these ideas as reference when examining future development. |
 Working groups were formed and the results of discussions were reported. |
Talking with residents and NPOs via environmental seminars
Brother Industries took part in the 6th Talking with Business Salon organized by the Environmental Partnership Office Chubu as one of their many "Environmental Partnership" activities aimed at building a new society by bringing information, human resources and know-how together from the diverse players (citizens, NPOs, businesses, government, etc.) in creating a sustainable society. On August 30, 2006, team mangers from the Environmental Conservation Department introduced company environmental activities. After that, the fifteen participants broke up into three groups for discussions. It was time well spent as some very interesting proposals were heard on "how to effectively utilize the Brother Communication Space" and "improvements to advertising tools for the strong-selling sleek color inkjet Multi-Function Center."
