Group work: values-driven shareholders (group 3)
English for Professional Purposes
Ben Stanley
Department of Social Sciences, SWPS University
September 1, 2026
Values-driven shareholders
Your role
You represent shareholders who invested in Origin Grounds primarily because of its ethical mission and values. Your group includes individuals with backgrounds in social justice, environmental activism, ethical business consulting, and impact investing. Some of you have worked with fair trade organisations or in international development, while others come from values-driven businesses that have succeeded by maintaining strong ethical principles.
You were drawn to Origin Grounds because Maya’s vision aligned with your own values. You see the business as an opportunity to demonstrate that truly ethical enterprises can succeed in competitive markets without compromising their principles. Several of your group members have turned down more profitable investment opportunities specifically to support businesses like Origin Grounds.
You’re deeply concerned about the ethical dilemmas Maya is facing and worry that compromising on core values would not only be morally problematic but would undermine what makes Origin Grounds special in the marketplace.
Your perspective
You believe:
Strong ethical principles are not just morally right but central to Origin Grounds’ brand identity and appeal
Consumers are increasingly seeking authentic ethical businesses and can distinguish genuine commitment from “ethics-washing”
Compromising on core ethical values will damage the brand’s authenticity and unique market position
Short-term financial pressures shouldn’t dictate decisions that affect long-term ethical commitments
Ethical practices create resilience and value that may not appear in traditional financial projections
Creative approaches can resolve apparent conflicts between ethics and financial viability
Your task
Prepare a 5-minute presentation that makes a persuasive case for maintaining and strengthening Origin Grounds’ ethical commitments. Your goal is to demonstrate that ethical integrity is not only morally right but represents the strongest business strategy for long-term success.