forbes.com
New Belgium's Human-Powered Response to Hurricane Helene's Devastation in Asheville
Hurricane Helene's catastrophic damage to New Belgium Brewing's Asheville campus in October 2024 triggered a swift response prioritizing employee safety and community support, resulting in over $100,000 in coworker donations and showcasing the company's 'Human-Powered' leadership philosophy.
- How did New Belgium's 'Human-Powered' leadership philosophy, prioritizing employee well-being and community engagement, shape its response to the Asheville flooding crisis?
- New Belgium's response to the Asheville flooding demonstrates its 'Human-Powered' leadership philosophy, prioritizing employee well-being and community support. This contrasts with traditional business models focused solely on profit, highlighting the company's commitment to stakeholder capitalism.
- What are the broader implications of New Belgium's response to Hurricane Helene for other companies, particularly regarding stakeholder capitalism and climate change resilience?
- The incident underscores the increasing importance of business resilience in the face of climate-related disasters. New Belgium's rapid response and employee support network may serve as a model for other companies facing similar challenges, particularly in the craft brewing industry, increasingly impacted by climate change.
- What was New Belgium Brewing's immediate response to the Hurricane Helene-related devastation at its Asheville facility, and what were the direct consequences for employees and the broader community?
- Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage to New Belgium Brewing's Asheville campus in October 2024, but the company prioritized employee safety and provided immediate support, including on-site crisis counselors. Over $100,000 in coworker donations aided both employees and the wider Asheville community.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative frames New Belgium's response to the crisis positively, highlighting the company's commitment to its employees and community. This focus, while showcasing commendable actions, might unintentionally downplay the severity of the disaster and the challenges faced by other businesses and residents in Asheville.
Language Bias
The language used is mostly positive and descriptive, emphasizing New Belgium's positive actions. However, phrases like 'catastrophic destruction' and 'life-threatening flooding' are used, which while factually accurate, contribute to a tone that might be considered slightly dramatic. More neutral alternatives could include 'substantial damage' and 'severe flooding'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on New Belgium's response to the Asheville flooding, but provides limited information on the broader impact of Hurricane Helene on the Asheville community and surrounding areas. While the company's actions are commendable, the lack of context regarding the overall devastation and recovery efforts beyond New Belgium's operations might create a skewed perception of the event's impact.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't present a false dichotomy, but it emphasizes the contrast between New Belgium's 'speedboat' approach and the slower movement of larger corporations. While this comparison highlights the company's agility, it could be considered a slight oversimplification of the challenges faced by larger companies in responding to crises.
Sustainable Development Goals
New Belgium Brewing prioritized employee safety and well-being following the Asheville floods, providing crisis counselors and demonstrating a people-first approach. This aligns with SDG 3, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, by addressing the physical and mental health needs of its employees in a crisis. The company also provides fully-paid healthcare premiums and an on-site medical clinic, furthering this commitment.