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There have been an abundance of corporate-related scandals where big companies made big promises, only for them to turn out as a bunch of lies. Today, however, customers are no longer fooled that easily and they’re more informed and opinionated than ever before.
When corporations are called out and their claims are revealed to be smoke and mirrors, it gives them two options: to either arm themselves with more lies and further live in oblivion, or to take it as a chance to learn from mistakes.
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Greenwashing is one such example. To find out more about it and other deceptive practices corporations use, Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Audrey Tang, a chartered psychologist and author of multiple books, including "Be A Great Manager Now", "The Leader's Guide to Mindfulness," and "The Leader's Guide to Resilience.”
“It happens often that companies, rather than make sincere efforts to promote a healthier environment, spend more on 'appearing green' – Nestle, Charmin and car companies such as Mercedes-Benz were called out in Truth in Advertising for exaggerated environmentally friendly claims,” Tang explained.
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However, Tang argues that since the ensuing regulation was passed to ensure tougher scrutiny of green advertising and compliance to green practice, many companies are making a genuine shift to sustainability.
Other companies take it as a chance to learn from their mistakes and genuinely make a public stand. “Mercedes-Benz is this year fielding a black car in Formula1 with the hashtag #weraceasone, to fight racism,” Tang said.
“But therein lies the difference – a public stand can help a brand; weighing in where there is no personal nor genuine connection can be seen as profiteering,” she explained.
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We have also seen big names such as Coca Cola boycotting Facebook and other social media advertising to take a stand on tighter regulation of posts. Tang argues that learning is the best possible outcome.
There are many things we can all do to promote change as needed. Tang argues that one such practice is campaigning and protesting. “I absolutely do and have made a stand with #blacklivesmatter and #pride to name but a couple of communities I support outside of my own (i.e. #mentalhealth),” Tang explained.
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“My own work is advocacy-based – I write, I teach, I podcast, I train – and maybe I might change one person’s mind and get them to look after themselves a little better,” Tang said and added that “it’s why I try and ensure everything I do has a practical element – a call to action, something we can DO to make a difference. Cancel culture is of greatest use if it is transformational – if it brings with it an option of change,” she explained.
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While it’s always appealing to cancel brands, corporations and people who made mistakes, it’s important to realize that cancel culture, just like judgement, is often rooted in anger. “One side shouting and another covering their ears and shouting back – like Brexit and instead of listening and processing, the opposing side simply nods and raises their voice,” Tang explained.
“Sometimes these two groups are fighting the same side, and through recognizing their allegiance may be made all the stronger. Don’t cut the nose to spite the face,” she added.
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