Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream Inc.: Keeping the Mission(s) Alive

392-025 Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream Inc.: Keeping the Mission(s) Alive

Ben Cohen was unimpressed by these arguments. As a founder of the company and a driving spirit behind its development, he was completely committed to the philosophy behind the 5-to-1 policy. He was not willing to sacrifice the principle behind the policy for any reason. Many in the company and on the board agreed with Ben. They believed that the 5-to-1 rule symbolized values which were central to the company’s identity and success, and that morale would be devastated by a change in the policy. Accordingly, they sought managers who supported the social mission and who were willing to make the financial sacrifices it entailed.

The debate about the policy had gone on for almost two years and was beginning to erode board morale. Chico Lager, the outgoing chief executive officer, strongly believed that the policy had to change. The board would soon decide the fate of the 5-to-1 rule.