EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

      Ice Cream Social: The Struggle for the Soul of Ben & Jerry’s is a story that depicts the struggles two young men faced to keep the mission and vision of the company they started.  Ben & Jerry’s is a company started by two radical visionaries Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.  The company was started in a converted gas station in Vermont.  Their business opened in 1978 and quickly became a popular staple with local residents.  Ben & Jerry had many unorthodox business practices that gave the company its popularity.  The first part of their practices included writing their own rules in which the main focus was making and selling the finest quality natural ice cream.  Along with that focus came their business focus, which included a three-part mission statement that was equal and interrelated.  The company’s vision included making the world’s best ice cream, pursue progressive social change and provide fair compensation for its employees and shareholders.  They called this mission “linked prosperity”.  The idea of linked prosperity meant that when the company prospers, those who are touched by the company must also prosper.  Their radical ideas proved to be hard to reach and led to them selling their company.  They sold their company with contingencies that allowed them to maintain their seats on the board and the continued concept of linked prosperity.  Their decision to sell the company was crushing to their soul.  A decision they regret and do not like to relive.