The Hershey Company: Cocoa ConundrumEssay Preview: The Hershey Company: Cocoa ConundrumReport this essayExecutive SummaryHershey has become a household brand for chocolate lovers around the country, but there is a dark side to the chocolate giant. The Hershey Company released its first Corporate Social Responsibility Report in 2009 and it had no mention of any Company policies that ensure fair and humane labor practices are enforced on the cocoa farms in West Africa, where seventy percent of the worlds cocoa is sourced. This leaves the door wide open for Hershey products to be manufactured with cocoa harvested by child and slave labor. The recommendation for Hershey to solve this problem is to have its entire cocoa supply certified though a third party organization. Certifying it cocoa supply gives Hershey one hundred percent transparency with stakeholders, child labor is eliminated from the supply chain, and keeps Hershey competitive in the chocolate industry. Hershey is already familiar with the certification process though its acquisition of the small organic fair trade chocolate company Dagoba, so certifying its core brands will be a matter of finding the best suited organization to partner with.
PositionThe Hershey Company was founded by Milton S Hershey in 1894 and is one of the oldest chocolate companies in the United States. To date it is one of the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America and retails its products in about sixty countrys, and employs 15,000 workers worldwide. The company engages in the production, marketing, selling, and distribution of various packaged types of chocolate, confectionary products, gum, baking ingredients, toppings, and beverages. Hersheys products are marketed under eighty brand names including Hersheys Cadbury, Reeses, Jolly Rancher, Kisses, Ice Breakers, Bubble Yum, Reeses and York (The Hershey Company).
The Hershey Companys mission statement is, “Bringing sweet moments of Hershey happiness to the world every day” (hershey.com). Hershey strives to stay on mission by following a set of core values centered on the idea of “One Hershey.” Hershey defines that as ” A global and diverse team, operating with integrity, working together, determined to make a difference and winning together while accepting individual responsibility for our results” (hershey.com). The company also strives to have organizational capabilities that not only compete in the present, but also are able to build on in the future. To ensure its competitive advantage The Hershey Company encourages and promotes healthy living, and keeps a diverse portfolio of brands that delivers growth worldwide.
The Hershey Company is committed to a unique, personal brand. From its humble beginnings in 1948 in Boston, Massachusetts, Hershey, Inc. has been pioneering and growing its brand in all facets of its business. Our focus in growth and corporate development is focused on: helping our clients achieve their goals, building our communities, & supporting our efforts throughout the world.
On a personal level, I am an experienced and passionate Hershey, Inc., Inc. investor, leading a family of companies that continue to share a common vision & vision. I am a passionate Hershey & will work with I.R.I.E. to continue as a partner of Hershey in building its mission to deliver one of the most memorable and personal brands in the world.
On a financial level, I am a great fan of the Hershey Company, but I also have a little bit of a deep, personal dislike for the company. While I hold my own personally and I’ve been around many of Hershey’ leadership in recent years, I’m still deeply invested in the company. I believe in its efforts to be a leader in everything around you, and I feel like Hershey, and its brands should embrace that feeling.
In terms of leadership, though, I feel that Hershey really, truly represents those we like best & I’m glad that others think so differently about the Hershey Company.
One aspect of leadership is what makes us unique for many reasons.