Group work: balanced approach shareholders (group 2)
English for Professional Purposes
Ben Stanley
Department of Social Sciences, SWPS University
September 1, 2026
Balanced approach shareholders
Your role
You represent a diverse group of shareholders who believe in finding the balance between ethical principles and business practicality. Your group includes business professionals with experience in social enterprises, impact investing, and traditional business. Several of you have backgrounds in corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices.
You were attracted to Origin Grounds because of its ethical vision combined with a promising business model. You see the specialty coffee market as an opportunity to create a profitable business that also makes a positive impact. However, you’re pragmatic enough to recognize that some adaptation may be necessary, especially in the early stages of the business.
Your group wants Origin Grounds to succeed both financially and ethically. You’ve studied other ethical businesses and understand that finding the right balance is crucial—too much compromise undermines the brand’s integrity, while too little flexibility can lead to business failure.
Your perspective
You believe:
Ethical business practices can create long-term value and competitive advantage
Some compromise may be necessary, especially in the early stages of business development
Ethics and profitability are not inherently opposed; they can reinforce each other
Transparency about challenges and trade-offs builds trust with consumers
A phased approach to implementing ethical standards can be more sustainable than an all-or-nothing strategy
The most successful ethical businesses find creative ways to align values with market realities
Your task
Prepare a 5-minute presentation that makes a persuasive case for a balanced approach to Origin Grounds’ ethical challenges. Your goal is to show how the company can maintain its ethical core while making practical adaptations to ensure business success.