“Growing Together in Partnership: the case of Unilever and the Black Soybean in Indonesia” (it will henceforth be referred to as :“BSB”) described  Unilever Indonesia’s initiative as an example of how a company helped fight poverty by forging a mutually beneficial business partnership between the core business activity (producing and marketing its brand) and poor smallholder farmers growing black soybeans as its suppliers, with the help of a University contributing its expertise. The partnership had grown to a three-way synergy between Unilever Indonesia, Gajah Mada University and cooperatives of farmers, with each party contributing its special resources. The university provided agricultural knowledge and expertise, the farmers had the land and Unilever Indonesia provides capital and guaranteed market for the crops. The case examined the challenges and opportunities of such a partnership in the context of income generation for the poor and expanding the supply chain for ULI, which also addressed environment issues and women empowerment in the process. Issues which can be brought up from the BSB case for class discussion would evolve around the step-by-step strategy developed by ULI for the Partnership and the challenges, related to the “Growing Inclusive Market” and CSR concepts.

“Doing good and doing well; the case of Lifebuoy Berbagi Sehat”  (it will henceforth be referred to as :“LBS”)  describes how Lifebuoy, a market leader brand  of toilet soap in Indonesia maintains its leadership in a mature market by embedding CSR as part of the brand identity.  This case depicts the thorough analysis and the strategy Lifebuoy developed and implemented as well the results,   with CSR in Unilever Indonesia as the backdrop.

Issues which can be brought up from the LBS case for class discussion would evolve around the step-by-step strategy developed by Lifebuoy, the results at one point in time, and the challenges ahead.  Ultimately, the discussion needs to be converged into the concept of CSR.