Peanut Butter is a staple diet for many of us living busy lives and seeking tasty nutrition in a jar. And for those like me who love Bega’s brand of (Smooth) PB (see how it naturally aligns with ‘Personal Best’?), we can be doubly proud that the Australian-owned company behind this brand is part of a global movement working to sustain our Earth, and us all. Why? Because they’re exercising a paradigm of care in corporate business and NREM (Natural Resource and Environmental Management).
Barry Irvin and the team at the Bega Group are part of a revolution in collaborative agribusiness and environmental sustainability across the Bega Valley, in south eastern New South Wales. It’s an inspiring story, very well told by ABC TV’s Landline show.
For our purposes, in challenging neoliberal entrapment, the Bega Valley’s commitment to and mutual investment in “the Circular Economy” represents exactly what we need to replace the greed, competitive self-interest, environmental degradation and corporate social irresponsibility that has been the trademark of Milton Friedman’s economic rationalist, managerial bullying graduates. A selfish gang of amoral parasites, many of whom remain on boards and stock market listed company leadership groups as we speak.
Shame on you all, for totally abandoning the common good that is the lifeblood of human civilised life, in the endless pursuit of personal profit. Many of you took large pay and share dividend increases after the GFC saw public purse bailouts of the “too big to fail” banks and share market listed companies. Not to mention the JobKeeper windfall profits you made in COVID and never paid back. Is everyone sleeping well now?
In this final episode of the series on replacing neoliberal entrapment, it’s timely to celebrate individuals, local governments, businesses and communities that are collaborating for the common good. Such as across the Bega Valley, which aims to become a showcase for operating for the benefit of all. Drum roll, to introduce the National Circularity Centre.
Applying circular economy principles takes thoughtfulness and investing for future benefits. Here are the key principles:
- Using resources more efficiently by changing the way we think about products and production processes. Is the product the best way to meet the demand? Could we use fewer or different resources in its production?
- Design differently; for example, by considering re-use, repair and recycling options in advance of production
- Product re-use for same purpose
- Product repair, maintenance and revision
- Processing and re-use of materials
- Recover energy from materials
- Lastly, waste disposal and incineration without energy recovery is avoided where possible.
These are simple basics of good management, if you think responsibly about everyone doing their bit. But it takes intentionality to get to know strangers who can help combine forces for a shared benefit.
Uncle Bob Stake and Aunty Merel Visse told us about this sort of thing after the lessons from COVID: “Unfamiliar strangers can call for care… By responding, ‘the other’ is affected in turn. This twofold process makes us ‘come to life.’ Both people are transformed. Here, a care paradigm helps us come alive. This aliveness makes the world more real. Care is linked to the real world: our bodies, our conversations, our institutions, our planet. Care is related to its beginnings and endings”. (Stake & Visse, A Paradigm of Care, Information Age Publishing 2012, p.14)
When you watch the ABC TV Landline episode listed above, you will feel the infectious enthusiasm of these folks from all walks of life across the Bega Valley. They’re excited, because everyone gives a sh..t. It’s caring in action, and it feels good!
Wow! What a difference it makes to drop that neoliberal economic rationalist BS and just be human together. And it’s actually far more efficient and effective for everyone than giving all the power to the managerial bullies, and giving everyone a seat at the table.
And just in case you think (like some at News Ltd management did, when I worked there in the early 80s) that I’m some sort of pinko, commie-sympathising weirdo, let me take a moment to celebrate the Bega Group’s Purpose and Values:
“At Bega Group Our purpose is: creating great food for a better future. We believe that food is more than just sustenance; it brings people together and enriches lives. By focusing on:
- Great Food: We are dedicated to producing high-quality, sustainable, and nutritious products that meet the needs of our diverse consumers
- Great People: Our team is our greatest asset. We foster an inclusive culture where every voice is valued, and everyone is empowered to contribute to our shared success
- Great Aspirations: We continuously strive for excellence, seeking innovative ways to enhance our offerings and operations while remaining deeply connected to our roots
- Greater Good: We are committed to making a positive impact in our communities and the environment. By supporting local agriculture and responsible sourcing, we contribute to the wellbeing of future generations
Our values guide our actions and decisions as we work toward our purpose:
- Grow our people: We invest in the development and wellbeing of our team
- Passion for the customer and consumer: We place our customers at the heart of everything we do.
- Invest in our future: We focus on long-term sustainability and innovation
- Support each other: We foster a culture of collaboration and respect
These values shape our culture and inspire our commitment to creating lasting value for our customers, communities and shareholders.
Together, we’re not just making food – we’re building a legacy of quality and care that benefits all Australians.”
I want to honour and celebrate such “a corporation with soul”. A collaborative culture. A responsible corporate citizen of the Earth. That exercises a paradigm of care. This is what we need to spring up all over, occupying the spaces previously wasted hosting the neoliberal parasitic bullies.
But we need politicians and bureaucrats and businesses to join with citizens and start taking responsibility for our future. By exercising a paradigm of care. And that will mean we need to talk (in the next six-part series, after you take a healthy break from my OCD and/or bipolar approach to exorcising the ghostly cancer of neoliberalism) about: fair taxation, a living wage for all, and responsible wealth of nations. More in a little while…
This is Part Six of a six-part series – Replacing neoliberal entrapment with a paradigm of care
Dr Robbie Lloyd has been a national journalist, public affairs director, education and community health reformer for over 50 years. He works with First People and those with Lived Experience of mental health challenges, disability, alcohol and other drugs, DFV, ageing and trauma. Robbie now works in community wellbeing reform.