Earth Friendly Promotions for Earth Day

How are you planning to celebrate Earth Day?  If you are like most environmental businesses, most are engaging in eco friendly activities in honor of Earth Day.  While the event or activity may be the primary focus, the products and services you employ to create that event are equally important. 

 In our sustainability consulting at Taiga Company, we offer eco friendly alternatives to the traditional route.  Having eco awareness of the products available to small business makes it easier to integrate sustainability concepts into the workplace. 

 When planning your Earth Day event, be mindful of the consumption of office supplies in the preparations.  Preplanning meetings on the white board? Try AusPen.  Auspen offers xylene-free inks clear of toxins, they are refillable pens, and they are made out of recyclable materials.

 Need a banner for your company canopy? Visit GreenBanners.  Just recently, we ordered a banner from GreenBanners.   They print high resolution, full-color photo-quality graphics and text on a wide variety of materials using ecologically-sound renewable, recycled / recyclable and biodegradable  materials.  In addition, their ink is water-based pigment, which is waterproof and fade resistant.  

 If you are attending a trade show, use eco friendly materials.  GoGreenDisplays offers exhibit displays, banners, and lighting systems, all with eco awareness built into their products.

Bring the minimum printed material.  If paper is required, consider using The Platform Group Gallery.  They have over 300 ready-made, and ecologically friendly Press Kits, Binders, Gift Boxes, Media Kits, and Folders.  Every item in the line is made from 100% recycled content fiberboard and environmentally friendly paper-stock.

If you must print, there are alternatives for eco friendly printing:
AquaC Green Publishing
ThinkGreenEveryDay
GreenerPrinter

 These are just a few easy examples you can integrate sustainability concepts into your business while celebrating Earth Day. Enjoy the celebration!

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

Performance Pay as a Business Sustainability Driver

Traditionally the underlying objective any of compensation structure has been to attract, motivate and retain good staff.  However, choosing the right compensation structure to achieve a specific goal can be difficult.  There is a myriad of variations from which to choose, but they all basically come down to either base pay or performance pay.

Performance pay involves setting base pay plus establishing a formula that will provide bonus payments based on certain performance criteria. It is a widely used in particular industries, based on the concept that pay can motivate job performance, increase employee effectiveness, and align business goals. Research suggests that pay can do this when it’s linked to actual performance.  This model offers several potential advantages:

•    Ties staff member’s compensation to performance
•    It rewards the right behaviors and builds unity
•    It encourages self-management
•    It encourages innovation

So what does this have to do with business sustainability? 

By linking compensation to specific sustainability concepts, businesses have the potential to align the sustainability goals of the organization and motivate behavior.

•    For decades, the oil and gas industry has had health, safety, and environmental goals tied to employee compensation, which has dramatically improved the entire industry’s performance in those areas.

•    According to a recent news report, National Grid will tie a portion of its executive compensation to carbon reduction targets.  They will measure staff performance on emissions reductions as well as traditional performance benchmarks.

•    Companies across industries are successfully integrating environmental health & safety criteria into supplier performance metrics.

At Taiga Company, we recognize a key to business sustainability is attracting, motivating, and retaining top talent.  We realize that there is not a single incentive structure right for all businesses.  Our professional consulting works with clients to define a structure that best fits the organizational needs. 

Is your current pay structure facilitating the performance your business desires?

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

Class of 2010—Show me an offer or show me your values?

Millennials have been touted as a distinct generation who have high-expectations of their future employers.  Significant research has been conducted regarding the need for companies to adjust traditional management styles and corporate policies to better align with the needs and desires of this new generation of employees.

In September of 2008, PricewaterhouseCoopers interviewed graduates from 44 countries as part of its global “Millennials Survey.”  The survey explored the long-term needs of millennial employees and revealed that:

• 91% of North American milliennials would consider leaving an employer whose behavior no longer met their corporate responsibility expectations
• 42% consider an organization’s climate change policy a deciding factor on whether or not to work for the organization

Since the fall of 2008, there have been significant changes in the economy.  I wonder how high the millennial generation now holds the bar for future employers.  How committed are they to working for companies whose values align with their own?

I fear the recent recession has significantly lowered upcoming graduates’ expectations of their future employers.   Rather than focus their efforts on finding a company whose values and initiatives fit with their own belief system, they are settling for any company who offers them a paycheck.   Many have likely seen their own relatives and friends experience pay cuts and job losses over the past year.  Bearing witness to such events has understandably led many millennials to reprioritize their “company wish list”—with ability to pay my rent trumping involvement in corporate social initiatives.

We need to ask ourselves what we can do as educators, managers, parents, and friends to challenge this new generation of workers to stay committed to their beliefs.   We need to encourage them to look beyond the financial offer they receive and critically assess who is signing their future paycheck.

 

Courtney Zegarski is an experienced research and communications professional with a passion for corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship. Courtney holds a B.A. in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis and a M.B.A in Leadership & Business Ethics from DePaul, and writes extensively for the Social Endeavors Blog.

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

Can Voluntourism Work?

Voluntourism = volunteer + tourist. Ironically the word itself seems to reflect the western or developed world’s voracious appetite to do it all and do it all at once. From all accounts the voluntourism market is a growth market and with that growth more organizations – both for profit and not for profit – are flocking to offer as exotic a destination and experience as possible so that westerners can `compete’ with their friends and family for the best `What did you do on your most recent vacation’ response at their next social gathering. Now as I read that… I do hear the cynicism coming through…
 
A few years ago my daughter and I read an article that differentiated between travel and tourism. Travel was the intentional way of visiting another place with a heart and mind open to exploration, risk, and getting off the beaten track. Tourism was about travelling to another country to experience my own culture in a setting that protected me from the culture of the country I was in. We decided that we wanted to be travelers. When I find myself in a conversation where someone will say ‘we are going to insert name of exotic developing country but we won’t leave the resort because it just isn’t safe’ – I think to myself `oh this person is a tourist’. I begin to wonder then about the consequences when we ‘commodify’ tourism to meet the market demands of the latest consumer trend and when we project our tourist perspective onto the communities we are visiting.
 
So let’s start with the position that voluntourism is a good thing. At its best voluntourism is connecting people to their global context, challenging world views, and uncovering deeper altruistic motivations to `make a difference’ when they return. But is it possible to overdo a good thing? I think it is both possible and probable. With any service or commodity that becomes `in’, the market can become saturated, the uniqueness of the experience can become commonplace, and in the search for the leading edge of trendiness people begin to look for something new to distinguish their services from what has become ordinary. In that search, ethical boundaries can become stretched and the focus can become too much on the `experience’ and less on what we, collectively, are actually trying to achieve for social and environmental good. 
 
The question about voluntourism and whether or not it can work now has become much more complex in my mind. As I started to think about the question `can volunteerism work?’ I began to generate a series of questions to help me examine the issues from a variety of perspectives. Consider the following:
 
What is voluntourism?
What would voluntourism that works look like?
What would voluntourism that is not working look like?
Who is voluntourism intended to work for?
Who, in fact, is voluntourism really for?
How would we know if voluntourism is working?
Why do we want voluntourism to work?
What are the intersections between voluntourism and relief work or development work and what are the implications of the intersection points? (We are hearing many stories of individuals flocking to Haiti to lend a hand. There is an understandable desire to be doing something rather than just hearing about the devastating effects of the recent earthquake. Is this type of experience now going to become part of the voluntourism opportunities and is this a good thing…what are the consequences of inexperienced people entering into a disaster area? I suspect that in some situations they may be putting added strain on an already strained infrastructure.)
 
Perhaps the starting point for considering the question of `can voluntourism work?’ is `Who are the stakeholders for whom volunteerism needs to work? Off the top four stakeholder groups come to mind:
 
Voluntourism Organizations – these are the organizations that make the connections between the person who is looking for the voluntourism experience and the host site. Within this group there are sub groups of stakeholders that can be differentiated primarily by their motivations for providing the services. Generally these subgroups would be: non-profits organizations motivated by a well intended desire to connect western resources and influence with important issues ranging from human rights, social justice, health and education, and environmental; philanthropic organizations with access to significant resources and that carry an issue specific focus; for profit organizations motivated by issues that are similar to the non profits; for profit organizations motivated by a love of travel and a genuine desire to share the experience; and for profits who have seen the trend and believe there exists a market to occupy.
 
Host communities/ countries – the places that we visit are significant stakeholders in voluntourism. With some agencies there is a commitment to the community or local issue that transcends the visits by voluntourists. What does `voluntourism working’ mean to the individuals and communities that are touched by tourist volunteers? Of all the stakeholders they may carry the highest risk when voluntourism does not work.
 
Voluntourists – as stakeholders they pay the money and receive the experience. Does their measure of `did that experience work for me’ skew the delicate balance of a positive outcome for all stakeholder groups because the voice of the voluntourist may be the loudest for the organizations who are making or receiving money from the voluntourism marketplace.
 
Other agencies working in a community/ country – When voluntourism has a positive outcome for the local community, the respect and influence for all agencies in a community or country can benefit. However, if voluntourism has a negative impact on a community it may be the other agencies that experience the collateral damage to their own reputations.
 
From your perspective in the field of voluntourism – What is the outcome that you would like to see? What is the primary purpose of voluntourism? What is the outcome for each of the stakeholder groups? What other stakeholders need to be considered? What are the unintended consequences that we will be hearing about in a few years as the impact of voluntourism becomes clearer?

AG6141

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

Commuting – Personal and Business Incentives

In 2003 the U.S. Department of Transportation reported that Americans took 1.1 billion trips per day.  They also reported that 78% of these were in single occupant vehicles.  It is estimated that motor vehicles account for roughly 50% of urban air pollution and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. 

As a sustainability consultant, I encourage clients to be creative with their daily commuting.  For example, UPS recently reported they were eliminating all left turns on their routes which would reduce their idle times at stoplights and thus reduce their emissions. 

An important aspect of creating a business or personal sustainability plan is finding the right incentives to keeping a program going.  Often business incentives might are not the same as personal incentives.

For businesses seeking business sustainability and a culture of eco awareness, Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) is an innovative program that provides qualified employers with national recognition and an elite designation for offering outstanding commuter benefits, such as free or low cost bus passes, strong telework programs, carpooling matching and vanpool subsidies.

For a personal sustainable lifestyle, NuRide is an online community where members are rewarded for using alternative forms of transportation such as carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, telecommuting or public transit. NuRide is free to join and free to use and is supported by sponsors who reward NuRide members for reducing global warming, traffic congestion and energy consumption.  Get more information at their upcoming webinar.

Regardless of the incentive, whether it is a personal sustainable lifestyle commitment or a rewards program, taking action to reduce miles on the road makes a big difference.  Follow what inspires you to take action and maintain commitment to the plan.  If you get stuck along the way, Taiga Company’s personal consulting is here to help.

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

Green Gifts For the Five Types of Moms

What type of mom do you have? All mothers are unique and special, of course, but certain categories seem to fit most (if not all) moms. Luckily, Elegant Roots has gifts for every kind of mother out there — all eco-friendly and gentle to Mother Earth, and many of which support women artisans who make a living doing what they love. Because isn’t that what all moms want?

THE SUPERMOM — She organizes the Girl Scout cookie drive, writes a grant proposal, updates her blog, picks up the dry cleaning and gets the oil changed … and then it’s time for lunch. Then it’s off to yoga and volunteering at the nursing home before coming home, bathing the dog and trying out a new recipe for coq au vin.

We’ve never met a Supermom who couldn’t use an amazing tote bag — she definitely has a ton of stuff to carry, and she wants to do it in style. Check out these lovely totes, all made from recycled, organic and/or eco-friendly materials: the handcrafted Ethiopian tote bag by the fantastic artisan’s collective Creative Women, or the handcrafted Cambodian silk tote by Green Gecko (with matching wallets available).

THE DOMESTIC DIVA — Mom’s home is her castle. Even if she’s traveled the far corners of the globe, she can’t wait to come back to her own little corner of the world. She’d far prefer to entertain at her house than go out, and she would say a home-cooked meal beats dining out by a mile.

Help her feather her nest with lovely, nontoxic, gentle-to-the-earth home decorations. She can store just about anything in these beautiful yet functional Zulu Iquoma canister baskets. They’re a fantastic storage solution: museum-quality, crafted from natural grasses by Zulu Master Weaver Lauentia Dlamini. Or, she can snuggle up under a gorgeous handcrafted mohair lap throw by Creative Women. When it’s not keeping her legs toasty, it’s a stunning complement to a room when draped over a chair or sofa.

THE C.E.O. MOM — She loves her work, she loves her family, and all her time and energy go into those two things. She puts on her “Mom Face” at the office every time she negotiates, mediates or delegates, and she brings her “Office Face” home whenever she has to organize, prioritize or show the kids who’s boss.

This mom would love an eco-friendly Blackstone Sustainable Wool Laptop/Messenger Bag. It’s sleek, chic and high-quality, and versatile enough to be used as everything from a laptop case or executive carry-all to an oversized purse or stylish diaper bag. Or, delight her with these yummy   aromatherapy soy-wax candles by Kokoro. Whether she’s unstressing at her desk or in her bathtub, she’ll love the soothing scents of the all-natural essential oils used in these award-winning candles.

THE ACTIVIST MOM — Wherever her beliefs lie, this mom is a fountain of information, facts, questions, and solutions. She’ll go door-to-door to gather signatures for a pet cause, walk or run miles for her favorite charity, or stuff envelopes for her preferred candidate. She’s aware of all the issues that might affect her or her family, and feels strongly that “change begins at home.”

This mom can jot down notes, lists, appointments, ideas or brilliant thoughts in an all-natural, made-in-the-USA handmade pewter/leather journal by Oberon. With different styles to fit her personality, these journals are as beautiful as they are useful. She’d also appreciate a sumptuous handmade organic cotton throw by Marcel Miller: eco-friendly and downy soft, it’s free of chemical dyes and perfect for sensitive skin or allergies — nothing but comfort.

THE HIP MOM — Her wardrobe is straight off the runways, and she can stand, dance or walk for hours in high heels. This Mom had the newest version of the iPod before you did, can talk knowledgeably about anything from politics to pop culture, and is constantly being mistaken for your sister or trendy aunt.

She’d love some of these unique recycled accessories that are as cool and different as she is: a gorgeously simple silver and recycled chardonnay bottle necklace by Smart Glass, or English Retread’s funky Reclaimed Rubber handbag.

We’re confident that Elegant Roots has something for every mom: all gift-wrapped beautifully (and free of charge) in eco-friendly packaging.

ER6144

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