Business Sustainability: Pulling it All Together

With countless examples making headlines every day, there is less and less debate over the benefits of integrating sustainability concepts into business.  Largely driven by cost savings opportunities or risk mitigation, the business world is gradually making the ‘sustainability shift’.  Looking to the future, the next step-change will come when these seemingly discontinuous project implementations become a cohesive effort across companies, industries, and the business community as a whole. 

Many companies are currently exploring the value aspects  of business sustainability.  While this is a huge step forward from the very recent past, there is still a much larger prize in connecting stand-alone projects under a singular corporate business sustainability program and overall business mindset change.

As business sustainability consultants working with businesses and individuals, we stress the value in creating an overarching business case for sustainability as an incentive for continuous engagement and implementation.   By determining the criteria that will move your company along the business sustainability continuum, organizations have a clear map toward success.

However, navigating the dynamic landscape of future business sustainability will require more than innovative products and services.  In addition to a defined direction, taking the next step will require a next-generation of leadership.  Great leaders must be able to engage an organization and stakeholders around an aligned vision of sustainability.  

We find that taking decisive and immediate action to become a business sustainability leader is creating a competitive advantage and allowing businesses on the forefront to capture additional market share.  Taiga Company has sustainability consulting resources interfacing daily with businesses that are taking proactive sustainable action.  Promoting a proactive approach rather than a reactive response to external factors, we recommend taking a step beyond project implementation by building a continuous  effort towards business sustainability. 

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Greenwashing Is Negatively Effecting The Green Movement

Green is more than just a word, because it has many definitions. Green means healthier lifestyle, more green jobs, creating energy efficient products, helping the environment, a future for your children, higher health standards, clean water, clean air, conservation, and making businesses environmentally responsible.   But there are companies out there that claim they have Green products and services but if you look closer you will notice that those products and services are actually hurting the consumer’s health or the environment.  Companies do this because it is a cheap way to go green and they think the consumers are not smart enough to notice.  This is what we call Greenwashing and I want to make consumers aware of what to look for when it comes to actual Green products or services. To read more about Greenwashing, visit this blog entry that was recently written by MJ Richmond AllVoices- The Greenwashing Fad Of Green Business Certifications.

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Keys to Perpetuating Sustainability Momentum

Whether your company is just becoming familiar with the concept of business sustainability or you are a sustainability leader in your industry, there are change management challenges facing every business implementation.  Our experience has shown that rush of enthusiasm at the front-end of sustainable change is somehow lost along the way.  The initial passion and momentum of the organization slows as business processes and resources are called upon to take action. 

Observed in my professional consulting experience, is continuous engagement is often the most challenging yet critical aspects of any business process change. Value capture from business sustainability will come from a successful implementation of strategies that are accepted by the business’s key stakeholders.  Keys to success often include:

•    Engaging key stakeholders (e.g. employees, investors, customers) early in the process.
•    Developing sustainable business strategies based on stakeholder feedback.
•    Clear and continuous communication of an action plan to the entire organization.
•    Shift the mind set from sustainability implementation to a sustainability culture.

At Taiga Company, our sustainability consulting provides information and resources to companies seeking to build a sustainability plan which incorporates the sustainability knowledge of the entire organization.  We work with business leaders, work groups, and stakeholders to recognize the importance of business sustainability as a key value driver for the company’s growth and success.

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

Five Fantastic Eco-Friendly Gifts for Dad

Father’s Day is just around the corner and we know it’s sometimes tough to find a high-quality gift that he will really love. So Elegant Roots has rounded up some fantastic, unique green gifts that will appeal to a variety of Dads of all ages. Check it out:
Recycled Rubber Eco-Walletby English Retreads — Dad’s always digging out his wallet for something — he might as well have a cool, dynamic and incredibly durable wallet like this! Made from the recycled rubber of inner tubes, this English Retreads wallet is a practical gift with a punch.

Thai Silver “Prosperity” Dog Tag by Pineapple Seed — If you’re shopping for a young or young-at-heart dad with style and a sense of purpose, this rugged dog tag with the Thai word for “prosperity” is a one-of-a-kind Father’s Day gift he’ll wear every day. (The sterling-silver luster looks great against a summer tan!)

Artisan Labradorite and Sterling Silver Cufflinks by Stephen Estelle — Maybe he has a special event coming up, or maybe great cufflinks are part of his regular attire. Either way, these striking cufflinks, hand-crafted under fair-labor conditions by Nepali artisans, are exquisite reminders of what a fabulous Dad he really is.

Sustainable Wool Laptop/Messenger Bag by Etcetera Media — Handmade from sustainable Blackstone Wool, this durable eco-bag in the classic messenger style can carry laptops, documents, office supplies, or anything else that goes in a “man bag.” Quality is the name of the game here.

Handcrafted Zulu “Iquamba” Beer Basket by Nozipho Masando — This water-tight basket, hand-woven by an African artisan, is designed to store Zulu beer. Sure, Dad can use it for that — or he can use it as a high-quality storage solution for home or office. Men who like organization and who care about their surroundings would appreciate this gorgeous, yet practical, museum-quality piece.

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Taiga Company – Why Monetary Circulation Is Critical to Business Sustainability

Have you ever observed a once thriving business, product line, or even an innovative idea suddenly begins to fail and eventually disappear?  Maybe it was a place of business you have been going to for years, and it is now closing down.  Why might this have happened?  The answer may lie in a second question: Was sustainability an engrained part of this company’s strategies and operations?

But what does ‘greening’ a business have to do with its profitability?

Business sustainability is often reduced to environmental or social action.  While certainly two very important areas of focus, business sustainability is really about taking action to maintain the on-going health and profitability of the company as a business strategy.  This includes valuing the relationship with the environment and social stakeholders.

Sometimes viewed in terms of risk, sustainable business actions are activities which have a positive impact on either the inbound or outbound flow of money.  For example most business sustainability concepts can be tied to:

Effective use of money going out:
•    Reduction in procurement and supply chain expenses.
•    Reduction in business and operational waste.
•    Reduction in environmental and social impacts.

Efficient use of money passing through:
•    Increase internal and external process efficiencies.
•    Increase employee productivity.

Maximum capture of money coming in:
•    Responsiveness to customer expectations.
•    Openness to new markets with innovative products and services.

In far too many cases, business models and strategies become misaligned with some basic business sustainability concepts.  Cash flow eventually slows and may even come to a stop.
By regularly reevaluating the company’s business model and its applied sustainability concepts, sustainable organizations are able to respond to the critical questions affecting the circulation of money.

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Sustainable Life Media Recognized by Governor Schwarzenegger and California EPA Secretary as Sustainable Brands ’10 Opens in Monterey

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) MONTEREY, Calif., June 9, 2010 – Sustainable Brands 2010 (SB ’10) In recognition of Sustainable Life Media’s (SLM) contribution to helping make California and the world a cleaner, greener, healthier place, Secretary Linda Adams of the California Environmental Protection Agency honored SLM’s President/CEO KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz with Certificate of Appreciation at the company’s annual Sustainable Brands 2010 (SB ’10) conference on Monday, June 7. 

“Our mission is to support, inspire and challenge companies to build better brands that will contribute to a healthy and abundant future for all. We are deeply grateful for this recognition from the state and welcome it as a testament to the continued leadership and environmental and social innovation coming out of our community.” Said Ms. Skrzyniarz.
 
The fourth annual conference opened with keynotes from Bill Marquard, author of Succeeding in a Wal-Smart World, who spoke on getting more visibility in corporate board rooms by focusing on the power of And.  Dr. Robert Epstein, renowned creativity expert also spoke on the importance of building a culture of sustainability innovation if we are to solve the thorny problems that are bound to continue to come at us in the coming decades. Earlier that day, Dr. Epstein led a workshop providing attendees tangible tools for unleashing innovation in their organizations. The opening session closed with Eric Park of Ziba Design, and Marc Mathieu, former global brand executive from Coca-Cola speaking to opportunity of the community gathered to play key role in helping create consumer pull for more sustainable consumption.  
 
This year’s conference has seen the emergence of key trends for 2010, including a stepped up effort by many to go beyond compliance in their environmental and CSR goal setting. A new study announced as a joint venture between SLM and Zumer.com chronicles where the top 10 companies across 10 industries sit as it relates to setting innovation oriented sustainability goals. The accomplishment of many this year who have achieved zero waste was referenced as something that inspired Sustainable Life Media to work towards a zero waste conference. The continued breakdown of siloed approaches to sustainability was also referenced. SLM corporate members are increasingly bringing senior members from across their organizations to build shared vision and alignment around opportunity and to explore how each part of the organization can collaborate to drive a more cohesive effort leading to better return on investment. Lastly, the significant increase in the number and breadth of new mainstream-targeted, sustainably differentiated consumer brands and services, as well as business solutions geared helping existing brands improve the sustainability of their brands was noted.
 
Sustainable Brands 2010 attracts a community of change makers who embrace innovation and approach challenges as opportunities. Demonstrable out-of-the-box thinking – as showcased by products debuted in the Innovation Open — has proven critical in constructing viable business models that value both profit AND responsibility. Whether informing product design, addressing consumer needs or restructuring the waste cycle, SB’10 members are succeeding through the power of being bold and creative in the sustainable space.
 
About Sustainable Brands Conference
Widely reputed to be the most compelling sustainability conference of the year, Sustainable Brands 2010 will convene more than 800 brand leaders, top executives from the global brands leading sustainable innovation today, all types of designers participating in this global shift, and an unprecedented list of others. Speakers and sessions provide inspiration, techniques and best practices as economic realities, corporate responsibility and the environment come together to create a new strategic business imperative. Registration is open and seating is limited: http://www.sustainablebrands10.com
 
About Sustainable Life Media
Sustainable Life Media (SLM) is the leading producer of sustainable business conferences and educational events, with products and services designed for the sustainable business community including membership, targeted e-newsletters, online learning programs, community, and the flagship Sustainable Brands conference. SLM delivers top news stories related to the who, what and how of environmental and social innovation, and helps community members connect with thought leaders, peers, partners and solutions providers who can help them quickly reach their goals. For more information, please visit: http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/about. To subscribe to SLM Newsletters for free, please visit http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/newsletters.

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