Business Sustainability= Profits

According to leaders in the space, business sustainability is defined as continuous improvement process or a business mindset change that becomes an engrained part of an organization’s daily activities.  This continuous forward motion presents a challenge to businesses and individuals seeking to define and measure their progress. 

In our own professional consulting, we are constantly asked by our business partners: “Where are we in the process and how do we know if we are making progress?”
 
In general, business sustainability is especially hard for many companies to quantify and measure.  This challenge is only intensified when seeking to justify time, money, and resources.  In some instances, there can be defined indicators or milestones along the way.  Our professional consulting experience has taught us that the successful implementation of business sustainability concepts requires a defined link to specific business metrics.
 
In a recent post, Exploring Sustainability in a New World, we discussed how business sustainability has moved from a feel-good concept to a real topic of discussion in board rooms around the world.  It has expanded past traditional thinking: from a costly add-on to an integral part of business profitability. 
 
Leading companies are now aware of the benefits, as well as, the cost savings associated with sustainable changes in their organization. 
 
Click here to continue reading. 

Home to one third of the earth’s trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company’s vision to drive similar change in the business world. Taiga Company seeks to be the “oxygen for your business”.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Shades of Green: Which are YOU?

When you think about it, everything we do everyday has an impact on the planet.  A focus in our sustainability consulting is incrementally accelerating the levels of eco awareness individuals bring to their daily life choices.  Briefly stated, helping those that are green to be greener and those not so green, to see the green path. 

According to the Natural Marketing Institute’s (NMI) Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) Consumer Trends Database, more than 80% of today’s total U.S. adult population shows some type of green motivation.  NMI’s research divided the entire U.S. population into five segments based on their attitudes related to sustainability and social issues: 

•    Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability: Early adopters and trendsetters driven by a sense of social responsibility (17% of U.S. adults).

•    Naturalites: Individuals motivated by personal wellness and a desire to live a healthy lifestyle (17% of U.S. adults).

•    Drifters: Trend followers who want to be seen as participating in the green movement but lack a genuine concern for the environment (24% of U.S. adults).

•    Conventionals: Individuals who have sustainable habits, like buying compact fluorescent light bulbs or reusing grocery bags, but are more motivated by a desire to save money and/or reduce waste than a sense of social responsibility (26% of U.S. adults).

•    Unconcerned: Those not involved or engaged with environmental issues (16% of U.S. adults).

A question we face in our sustainability consulting is, “How do individuals shift from one shade of green to another?”
 
Click here to continue reading. 

Home to one third of the earth’s trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company’s vision to drive similar change in the business world. Taiga Company seeks to be the “oxygen for your business”.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

What’s Your CSR moment of the week?

Some Fridays before dinner, everyone in my family shares the most remarkable thing that they experienced during the week. Mostly, they are small things that have a big impact. Our kids are 8 and 10 and I hope that sharing these stories will be one of the things that they remember well when they’re older. 

I was thinking about all the amazing responses and ideas I’ve had from readers over the last while (it’s clear that you guys really have lot’s to say!) and it occurred to me that every Friday anyone who’s interested could share their CSR “moment of the week”. Here’s mine:

I’m writing an article that I hope will appear soon in Advertising Age that asserts that “return on integrity” has become central to how we measure the success of business. As a part of this, I’m interviewing people from a wide range of companies to get examples return on integrity. A while back I happened to buy an amazing chocolate bar made by a single-origin chocolate company based in Springfield, Missouri called Askinosie. It occurred to me that they might have something to contribute so I got in touch with their Founder, Shawn Askinosie (he was in Ecuador meeting with their chocolate farmers).

Here’s part of what he wrote about integrity: “Here is the deal with us.  We are a small company and the people who work there are people OF integrity so it naturally follows. So the first thing I would say is that we hire for integrity.  Therefore the “operationalization” comes naturally.  We all wrote our mission statement together.  In fact it was first circulated as a “draft” with that word clearly at the top of the document.  Our mission statement is in permanent letters on a white board in public view so we can write on it with erasable markers and remind ourselves that we are in fact living it out.  After the board gets full – we erase and start again. Our mission itself is laden with ideas that promote integrity.”

Needless to say, I was astonished and inspired by what Shawn wrote. In a subsequent email, Shawn mentioned that he loved this blog and could spend hours reading it. Hands down, that’s was my CSR moment of the week. Thank you Shawn.

I invite readers to share their own CSR moments. It doesn’t have to be a big thing – just the first thing that comes to mind. I bet we’ll all be inspired and learn something too!

Hope you all have a great weekend.

 Impakt was founded in 2001 by Paul Klein, an authority on corporate responsibility and community investment who is a guest lecturer of marketing at York University, writes a blog about corporate responsibility for Canadian Business Magazine, sits on the Advisory Board of the Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Queen’s School of Business, and has written numerous articles on the subject for publications in Canada and the United States.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

The New CSR Frontier: Integrating Sustainability and Community Investment

Today, corporations have endorsed the case for environmental sustainability and the return on community investment is widely accepted. What’s the new frontier for CSR? I think it’s the largely unexplored territory between the environmental and community dimensions of CSR. 

In what way do a corporation’s reductions in environmental impact also benefit the community? Should environmental sustainability be a criteria for corporate community investments and donations? Why should non-profit organizations that aren’t ENGOs put a priority on being environmentally responsible?  I think these questions help to define a new dimension of CSR and set the stage for important conversations between people who aren’t usually at the same table.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto provides a concrete example of a best practice in this new space. As a part of its mission “to build communities that are home to the healthiest children, teens and young adults” the organization has put a high priority on sustainability. Why? It recognized that reducing environmental footprint is consistent with its mission, will help strengthen its brand, and can save money that can be re-directed to its social programs.

It’s accomplishments to date include: increasing the amount of recycling and reducing the amount of waste, establishing an environmental committee with representative at its many locations throughout the city, and determining its carbon footprint, and constructing the largest public green roof in the City of Toronto

The YMCA has also established a sustainability council comprised of experts from large corporations including BMO, Direct Energy, Grand & Toy, Kruger Products, and Tim Hortons. The council is helping the organization to pioneer a new approach to environmental sustainability for the non-profit sector and illustrates the power of blending corporate and non-profit expertise sustainability, fundraising, marketing, and operations.

Finally, the YMCA’s actions are authentic. It’s allocated resources to sustainability, worked behind the scenes for the last few years to establish internal buy-in, and done whatever was possible to reduce environmental impact. Moving forward, with the guidance of its Sustainability Council, the organization will start to leverage its accomplishments by communicating with its external audiences.

In addition to being the right thing to do, I think there are many ways in which non-profits can benefit from being more sustainable including saving money, retaining and attracting members/donors, and being more relevant to corporations for whom the environment is a community investment or operational priority. Corporations can also benefit by increasing internal integration and leverage between community investment, sustainability, marketing, and human resources.

So, remember that there’s more to corporate responsibility than reducing environmental impact in order to save money and investing the community to increase employee and stakeholder engagement. Push the envelop and improve your performance by doing more to blend sustainability with community investment!

Hope you’re having a great weekend.

Impakt was founded in 2001 by Paul Klein, an authority on corporate responsibility and community investment who is a guest lecturer of marketing at York University, writes a blog about corporate responsibility for Canadian Business Magazine, sits on the Advisory Board of the Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Queen’s School of Business, and has written numerous articles on the subject for publications in Canada and the United States.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

The Economics of Living Green

Sustainability has historically been discussed as an important economic, political, and social issue.  The traditional economic conversations have been primarily discussed on a grand scale, with individual impacts raised up to only a broad social level.  However, global consumer eco awareness and shifts in preferences have given the individual a bigger role in the conversation.

The concept of personal sustainability has made its way into the discussion with growing consumer demand and an exploding market for alternative products and services.  The market response to this bottom up movement has added a new twist to the sustainability conversation.

In addition, the current economic climate has raised some questions about the consumer economics of sustainability.  For many individuals and families, the cost of continuing to ‘go green’ has become a real concern.  This economic uncertainty has raised some concerns about the impacts to the supply and demand for sustainable options.  As a personal consultant, I work with the questions daily:

•    Will the supply of sustainable options continue to be strong?
•    Will price increases for sustainable options slow consumer demand?
•    Will the decrease in disposable income slow consumer spending for sustainable goods?
•    Will the availability of alternatives decrease with a slowing consumer demand?
•    Will we still afford to make the changes in our life?

In a recent post, Is Green is Here to Stay, we discussed the future of ‘green’ in business and daily living.  The research shows that business sustainability initiatives and ‘green’ product offerings are in fact on the rise.  In addition, consumer behavior has not been dramatically affected and individuals continue to seek out sustainable products and raise their expectations.

By incorporating sustainability concepts into daily living, individuals are not only promoting eco awareness but also directly impacting their wallet.  This continuous cycle of consumer expectation and business response is driving change.

As a sustainability consultant, I view sustainability and personal value to be closely linked.  The pursuit of a sustainable lifestyle or simply incorporating sustainability concepts into your current life is in direct alignment with saving money.  Taiga Company offers personal consulting that can help you build a personal sustainability plan that is right for you.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Gap Inc. featured on Huffington Post: Climate Change, Blue Jeans, and Jobs

by Bob Fisher 

Why would an apparel company care about climate policy? When you think about it, a changing climate actually has a direct impact on business. The apparel sector is fundamentally dependent on cotton, a crop that relies heavily on water and favorable growing conditions. Our changing climate is causing unprecedented drought in some regions and flooding in others. These extreme and variable weather patterns threaten our global supply chain and the cost of producing goods. 

Although the cost and consequences of climate change impact much more than business results, I believe companies can make a difference. As an individual, I’m personally passionate about this subject, but as a Director on the Boards of Gap Inc. as well as the Natural Resources Defense Council and Conservation International, I see the powerful role business can play in the effort to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation. Together with leading companies such as Nike, The North Face, eBay, Best Buy, Starbucks, and many others, Gap Inc. understands that placing limits on greenhouse gas emissions and building a new clean energy economy is good for business and great for American workers.

Increasingly, we have come to understand that climate change is a matter of social and human rights and not “just” an environmental issue. In truth, industrialized countries have placed the burden of climate disruption on billions of people who have not contributed to the problem. Gap Inc.’s longstanding commitment to the workers and communities where we source our raw materials is more than a fundamental value; it’s a competitive advantage.

As a member of BICEP, Gap shares with other participating organizations a commitment to a sustainable planet. We believe in leading by example. Energy efficiency and waste reduction throughout our manufacturing process has helped the environment, improved our bottom line, and been a source of pride for our employees. But voluntary, piece-meal action by a strong cadre of consumer companies is no substitute for a national policy that levels the business playing field by imposing a uniform cost on carbon emissions across all sectors of the economy.

Our economic future depends upon a strong national climate change policy that will restore America’s leadership, spur innovation in clean energy technology and put hundreds of thousands of people back to work in the process.

Consider this: Clean energy will be a dominant job creation industry of the 21st century and the countries that get this right will be rewarded with millions of jobs and trillions of dollars worth of exports for years to come.

America’s greatest economic strength has always been innovation. But we have yet to unleash the full potential of our ingenuity when it comes to lowering carbon emissions, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and creating the clean energy technologies to make it happen. A smart national climate change policy that caps emissions and provides economic and tax incentives for energy efficiency and renewable power would turn the U.S. into the world leader in new clean energy technologies.

We are at a critical crossroads on climate change–the U.S. can lead the world and jumpstart our economy by spearheading the transition to a low-carbon global economy; or we can delay and fall further behind nations that already have cleaner, more efficient cars, and more established wind and solar power industries. The choice is clear: now is the time for dramatic action by Congress to not only stimulate investment in renewable energy sources and clean technology–but to put a limit and price on carbon pollution. Our future–and our blue jeans–depends on it.

Bob Fisher currently sits on Gap Inc.’s Board of Directors and is former CEO of the global apparel retailer. He also serves as a Director on the Boards of the NRDC and Conservation International. Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer and a member of Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy (BICEP), a network of 17 leading consumer and technology companies coordinated by Ceres.

 Originally posted on Huffington Post

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Sustainability Saving the Green in Small Business

More small businesses than ever before are subscribing to the idea that they can save money and improve brand value by implementing environmental business sustainability practices.  Just recently, we worked with a client whose objective was to reduce sales related cost and to integrate sustainable business practices in doing so. 

 Although a comprehensive sustainability plan was not in place for this business, the owner, motivated by  a need to decrease cost yet sparked by the wave of eco awareness, was compelled to identify one area of his business to “try on” sustainability concepts in his business.  Fortunately, a member of the sales force expressed an interest in eco awareness and together they sought consultation exclusively for the sales team.  

 Following are some of the sustainable business practices and cost reduction measures taken:

 Sales Calls: Stricter prequalification standards set in place to reduce travel for “cold” prospects.  Face to face meetings to remote locations were replaced with online webinar or online meeting technology.  Results: significant reduction in travel costs and improved worker productivity. 

 Mailing of company literature, drafts, and project material replaced with email, .pdf, and other electronic management systems pre-existing within the business.  Result: reduced postage cost, mailing supplies and paper purchases.

 Implementation of telecommuting / online meeting technology for internal meetings.  Result:  reduced inefficient travel time to and from the office and to offsite client meetings.  It also was a reduction in transportation costs and vehicle reimbursement for the business. 

 An added gain:  company differentiation.  In conversation with prospects, the sales team communicated the environmental efforts enabling further conversation for company differentiation.  Topics as, “How and why sustainability concepts were introduced to the sales process”, “How those effort align with the values of the business”, “How sustainability initiatives reduced costs”, and “How this creates more value for customers”.

 Sustainability in small business is gaining momentum.  With improved worker productivity, reduced costs, and an improved brand reputation, it’s easy to see why.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Taking that First Step Towards Sustainable Change

Most of us recognize that change can be unsettling.  It can be scary, and too often it is just easier to slip back into a traditional and comfortable way of doing things.  However, implementing effective sustainable change does not have to be a laboring process.

All too often, we turn our attention to the barriers and roadblocks to the incorporating sustainability concepts into our businesses and personal lives.  There is a tendency to take too broad of a view of the concept of sustainability and become overwhelmed by its magnitude and our ability to make change.  Instead, we need to focus on the benefits we are individually trying to achieve from a specific change. 

As a sustainability consultant working with businesses and individuals, we encourage clients to be aware that sustainable change can be easily integrated into daily living when it is realistic, achievable and beneficial.  In a recent post, we discussed the following initial questions to facilitate change in a sustainability plan.

•    What is it that you are looking to achieve?
•    Is the desired outcome within your control?
•    What will be the personal benefits resulting from the change?

Taking this information, the next step is to apply your eco awareness to a focused approach that will facilitate the desired lasting results. By breaking down the ‘sustainability giant’ into a personal sustainability plan with manageable steps, you can ensure that the approach will be aligned with your own sustainability objectives.

•    Define your long-term personal sustainability values.
•    Establish a vision for what sustainability looks like in your daily life.
•    Determine where you are in the pursuit of your sustainable lifestyle.
•    Clearly state where you want be.
•    Identify your sustainable growth potential (integrate easy items first to build momentum).
•    Engage others in the process if necessary.
•    Acknowledge the joy and fun you feel from achieved benefits.

The pursuit of business sustainability or a personal sustainable lifestyle is a continuous improvement process that can be easily integrated into your current world.  At Taiga Company, our sustainability consulting works with clients to build sustainability concepts directly into business practices and personal daily living.  We work with individuals and groups to release resistance and embrace the benefits of personal and business sustainability.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Ammado Named One of the Top Innovators in Technology by Green Apples

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) April 29, 2010 – More so now than ever business leaders are recognizing that innovation can and should lead in each and every part of their organization. 

‘No Apples: 100 Other Top Innovators’ is a beautifully-designed hard-backed book from the people behind Cream featuring profiles of the most innovative companies from the last 12 months. (Cream is an online service for media and marketing professionals that indexes and analyses best practice examples of brand communications from around the world) Combining stunning imagery with in-depth interviews with key players at companies including Intel, Nike, Fiat, Spotify, ASICS, VW and Kodak, the book is designed to celebrate and inspire.
 
www.ammado.com is proud to announce that we have been selected as one of the top innovators within the last 12 months in the technology category. This is a great honor and wonderful motivation to stick to our chosen track and continue to change this world for the better.
 
For the upcoming 12 months we will stick to Linus Pauling´s motto: “The best way to get a good idea is to get lots of ideas.” Come visit us on www.ammado.com be inspired and join us to change this world for the better.
 
About ammado  
We are dedicated to creating heroes by empowering people to make a difference. ammado connects nonprofits, socially responsible companies and engaged individuals in a unique environment of shared interests and supplies the tools necessary to support online campaigning, fundraising, engagement and communication.
 
History
ammado was founded as a mission-based, for-profit enterprise, in Dublin in 2005 by serial entrepreneur Peter Conlon and Dr. Anna Kupka. They travelled the world for three years meeting with over 1,500 companies and nonprofits to understand their needs and challenges in harnessing social media for social good.
 
The site was launched in June 2008 and is available in 12 languages (Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, traditional and simplified Chinese) connecting individuals from 130 countries and over 4,000 nonprofit organizations worldwide.
 
ammado for Companies
ammado offers state-of-the-art customer and employee giving programmes, a global CSR platform and stakeholder engagement tools.
ammado’s easy to use online platform enables companies to:

• engage employees and customers in giving and volunteering

• build strategic and meaningful communities

• engage stakeholders using social media tools

• showcase the company’s engagement in the nonprofit sector

• partner with other like-minded companies, nonprofits and individuals

• participate in cause-related marketing

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Eat Your Sandwich Bag Along with Your Sandwich

Well, not quite yet. But you can compost it when you are done with your meal and eventually grow the lettuce and tomatoes for another sandwich.

In the classic comic routine The 2000 Year Old Man, Mel Brooks states that the best innovation he’s seen in 2000 years is Saran Wrap, because it keeps his nectarines fresh. Well NatureFlex may take Saran Wrap one better. It not only keeps food fresh, but can be turned back into food, because it is compostable right at home. NatureFlex is a transparent, heat-sealable compostable cellulose film. It controls moisture penetration and can be used to package baked goods, fresh produce, dried foods, snacks, along with household products and personal care items. It’s a compostable, plant based renewable packaging material now being used in the organic foods and natural products industry.

Packaging is a problem in many cases. Lots of wraps, plastic bubble containers and bags that our food comes in is not biodegradable, compostable, nor recyclable- think granola bags, dried fruit pouches, or bubble packs for personal care products. NatureFlex supposedly works as well as petroleum based packaging but can be composted right at home. I didn’t see from their website that they offered a product for use in the home. But why not shoot ‘em an email? I use a lot of wax paper sheets and bags to avoid petroleum based food wraps, but it would be nice to have a food wrap that I could compost along with the scraps of my sandwich. It carries compostable label and is “carbon neutral.” The company offsets their carbon footprint via biogas projects, and invest in reforestation and energy efficient stoves in Africa. The source of their material is wood pulp, so you’re not taking food from other people’s mouths to package what goes into yours. Check ‘em out, and tell ‘em to give us an alternative to plastic wrap, so we can keep the planet fresh another 2,000 years.

Greenopolis.com is dedicated to our users. We focus our attention on changing the world through recycling, waste-to-energy and conservation. We reward our users for their sustainable behaviors on our website, through our Greenopolis Tracking Stations and with curbside recycling programs.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily