• What is the company's position on DEI? Do they have a clear policy
or initiative around it?
I have read through National Beverage Corporation's (NBC) website,
10k report, and their code of ethics documentation. I have not found
anything specifically identifying a policy or initiative surrounding
diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). All I found regarding the
company's stance on DEI was a few sentences in their 10k report.
The statement reads:
"
We support a culture of diversity and inclusion that mirrors the
markets we serve. We take a comprehensive view of diversity and
inclusion across different races, ethnicities, religions, and expressions
of gender and sexual identity. Approximately 56 percent and 23
percent of our employee base identify as persons of color or female,
respectively
." (National Beverage Corporation, 2021).
To me, this seems like a blanket statement provided by the company
to just touch on this subject for the sake of public relations. The fact
that I have not found a clear DEI policy is rather concerning. I believe
that NBC will need to address this issue especially if they intend to
market their products in other countries.
• What actions could you take to ensure a diverse, inclusive, and
equitable project team is assembled?
According to NBC's 10k report, the company has twelve factories
spread across the United States. I would suggest that management at
each of the factories assemble a small team of 4 to 8 workers
depending on the size of the factory. Each week, management would
meet with their team to discuss any ideas or concerns they might
have. The factory management would then meet with one another
and NBC's corporate management via a video conference call to
discuss their findings.
I believe it would be valuable to have the opinions of the workers
from each of the factories. The workers likely live in the local area
surrounding the factory. They see what customers are buying, hear
what they are saying, and shop at the stores where NBC's products
are being sold. They can provide management with first-hand
accounts of what is happening in each area surrounding a specific
factory. NBC can use this information to tailor its new product for
maximum impact.
• What is the company's commitment to CSR and how does it affect
their profitability or image in the market?
NBC is very committed to its corporate social responsibility (CSR)
programs. They take pride in providing consumers with healthier
alternatives to high-calorie sweetened drinks. NBC also donates to
several charitable organizations which include St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, The City of Hope, Cleveland Clinic, and MD
Anderson as well as providing support for active military personnel,
veterans, and their families. Furthermore, NBC is proud that all of its
products are produced right here in the United States, 73% of which
contain recycled material (National Beverage Corporation, 2022).
While NBC is proud that all of its products are produced in the United
States, they list the increasing cost of employee benefits and labor as
a risk factor that may impact their profit. NBC states in their 10k
report that the increased costs of labor in the United States make it
difficult to price their products competitively (National Beverage
Corporation, 2021).
• How does your product or service align with the company's CSR
program and how can you leverage this position as a competitive
tool?
The product that I am pitching will allow NBC access to consumers
who use at-home water carbonation appliances. It aligns with NBC's
CSR initiatives because it will continue to provide consumers with a
healthier alternative to carbonated soft drinks. Furthermore, it will
help NBC cut down on production costs because the end consumers
will have to supply the water and CO2 to make the beverage. This will
reduce the amount of water and CO2 that NBC has to use. Because
my product is a flavor concentrate, it will need to be diluted. This
means that the product can be packaged in smaller containers
because only a small amount of flavoring will be needed to flavor an
entire bottle of water.
References:
National Beverage Corporation. (2021).
Annual 10K Report
. United
States Securities and Exchange Commission.
https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/69891/000143
774921016078/fizz20210501_10k.htm#item_onea
National Beverage Corporation. (2022).
We are National Beverage!
.
https://www.nationalbeverage.com/
