The Future of the Coffee Industry - A new vision by Victor Zwald, President Swiss Coffee Trade Association and Dr Patrick Dixon: "The following is adapted from story written in the Financial Times 27 January 2005 by Elizabeth Rigby:
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'Big coffee producers such as Nestle and Kraft have been pressed to introduce a voluntary levy on raw coffee beans as part of a wider move to promote sustainable development. The Worldwide Sustainable Coffee Fund, set up by leading members of the coffee industry, yesterday put forward at an International Coffee Organisation meeting in London a proposal to levy Dollars 1 on every 60kg bag of beans.
Walter Zwald, former president of the Swiss Coffee Trade Association, spearheading the proposal, said the move would raise Dollars 70m a year. 'The money would be split between projects based in producing countries and the promotion of coffee consumption,' he said. The ICO had agreed to explore the proposal and would meet the Coffee Fund team to present a more detailed plan.
The plan has informal backing from 70 per cent of coffee-producing countries. The Coffee Fund first discussed the scheme in 2001 but it was rejected by ICO at that time.
However, the continued fall in coffee prices has prompted a rethink. The ICO estimates that earnings of 50-plus producer countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America have dropped from Dollars 10bn a year to Dollars 5.5bn a year since 1998. The scheme will focus on the mainstream market rather than just the fair-trade segment of the industry, which makes up only 2 per cent of coffee production.
'This is all part of a conversation about sustainable coffee production and human justice,' said Patrick Dixon, chairman of Global Change Limited and a speaker at the ICO conference. 'We know these issues are complex but they have to be solved. The oil i"

Venture Capital - Digital technology, biotech and other growth sectors - event for Vaekstfonden by Dr Patrick Dixon

Venture Capital Investment - in high tech / biotech companies. Risks and opportunities. Event for 500 bankers, analysts, private equity investors, business angels, start-ups, entrepreneurs, venture capital fund managers, scientists, government leaders and media - for Vaekstfonden, Denmark

Building a Better Business $20,000 challenge

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Building a Better Business - by Building a Better World

Building a Better Business - new book by Dr Patrick Dixon published 11 April 2005 by Profile Books

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Building a Better Business back cover text:

An intensely practical and inspirational guide on how to make great things happen in your business and personal life, by Dr Patrick Dixon , ranked as one of the 50 most influential business thinkers alive today. How to create greater passion for your business, by building a better world for you, your customers, workers and their families, shareholders, communities and those beyond. Building a Better Business is about how you can get:

Better leadership
Better people and teams
Better brands and marketing
Better customer relations
Better corporate image
Better innovation and strategy
Better change management
Better work-life balance
Better corporate governance

“A perfect summary of all important factors that contribute to success in business and private life” Robert Salzl, CEO Arabella Hotel Holding International

“Resonates instantly with one’s own personal and business experience” Paul O’Toole, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland

“Excellent management books should spur you into action. This one does! Thoroughly enjoyable and refreshing” Lord Leitch, Chairman of the Employment Panel and former Chairman of the Association of British Insurers

“A message that every business leader needs to listen to and turn into action. A must-read for those who care about our common future” Professor Derek Abell, Dean, European School of Management and Techology

“A cracking good read, full of practical insights that will change your business life and understanding fundamentally” Paul Williams , CEO MLS Business Centres

* 50% of the author's receipts from sale of this book will be used to support AIDS care and prevention programmes in Africa and Asia