The Sustainable Future – thoughts from the Mission Markets team

What if the “financial” crisis is based on a deeper crisis emanating from a global economy reaching its limits to healthy growth? What if we are deep into uneconomic growth and really what we are seeing are the first clear signs that we are heading towards a steady-state economy with zero real growth in GDP. The signs are overwhelming that we are at or over the limits to healthy growth. Climate disruptions and the hottest decade on record, an ever expanding list of extinct and endangered species, decreasing forest cover, expanding deserts, fisheries on the brink of collapse, coral reefs bleaching and dying, massive islands of plastic in our seas, man-made chemicals being found in all of us and even in species on the edge of civilization such as polar bears; the list is endless and frightening. Is the economic crisis just part of a global ecological crisis? Are we heading towards a steady state economy?

A steady state economy is similar to an ecosystem in a “dynamic balance”. The balance comes from a diverse set of interactions in which growth in some elements is checked by growth in others such that the overall system remains in a steady state – regardless of various internal dynamics. What would the global economy look like in steady state? It would not be stagnation as companies and countries that did not adapt to the changing (dynamic) conditions would diminish (economically speaking) and those companies and countries that moved the most rapidly to exploit the new dynamic balance would have the best chance. Nor would a steady state economy reduce technological and social innovation – on the contrary. Innovation would be spurred by competition for efficiency, sustainability, effectiveness and value generated.

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The Case for Corporate Social Responsability

On Monday, the Wall Street Journal ran an editorial by Dr. Aneel Karnani called The Case Against Corporate Social Responsibility which posits the idea that corporate responsibility is irrelevant because “companies that simply to everything they can to boost profits will end up increasing social welfare”. 

On the one hand, I want to thank Dr. Karnani because nothing makes me happier than more discussion about this important topic – especially in a globally important business publication like the Wall Street Journal. On the other hand, Dr. Karnani’s point of view is too simplistic and feels like Milton Freidman redux. I recommend reading the piece and also having a look at some of the more than 240 comments that readers have posted so far – most of which are opposed to Dr. Karnani’s position. Here’s what came to my mind when I read the editorial:

First, I believe that corporations fall into three categories with respect to corporate social responsibility:

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Green Thumb: 15 Strategies to Grow Your Business

The past year has seen a significant shift in eco awareness and the debate on climate change.  In the world of business and finance, climate change has developed from a sidebar topic to a mainstream conversation.  While many discussions on climate change may appear debatable by some, it is becoming clearer that business sustainability is creating a bright spot of opportunity for leading businesses.

 Within our sustainability consulting practice, we find that integrating sustainability concepts into core business functions makes companies more nimble in a fast-changing world.  It also makes a business’s brands more attractive to consumers and its executive management more respected by employees, regulators and the financial markets. In short, the drivers for improved business sustainability equate to improved performance and cost savings:

 Improve Sales: Business reputation matters. Developing and delivering commercially successful products and services that build customer loyalty are essential in today’s markets. 

• Integrate sustainability concepts into product and service development
• Shift sustainability from a cost add-on to a value driver
• Change perceptions to build stronger brands

The result: increase sales, new revenue streams, and improved brand loyalty.

Reduce business cost: Sustainable business strategies of waste reduction, energy efficiency, and other operational efficiency measures reduce costs and enable competitiveness.   By adding general eco awareness or simply incorporating a few sustainability concepts into and existing supply chain as best practices, companies can proactively address supply stability and quality issues from a different perspective.

 As offered in our business sustainability programs, following are 15 Sustainable Business strategies that integrate sustainability concepts into the business to positively impact the bottom line and the environment. 

1. Office Energy Consumption – Evaluate the average energy use per square foot of office space and implementing best practices to reduce: energy consumption studies, efficiency practices, equipment modifications, etc.
2. Employee Commuting – Offer employees incentives to ride public transportation or participate in car/van pooling.  Consider a bike commuting program.
3. Employee Telecommuting – Reduced office space and transportation as a potential win-win-win practice for businesses, employees, and the environment.
4. Sustainable Design – Consider materials selection, energy consumption, manufacturing, product use and operation, and final disposition, early in the product development process.
5. Water Conservation – Manage water entering the company and look for opportunities to reuse water.
6. Management Systems  – Raise eco awareness and company commitment through established sustainability policies, standards, metrics, and self audits.
7. Environmental Philanthropy – Beyond just corporate volunteering efforts provide access to technology, engineering support, information and research that benefits the local community and the environment.
8. Packaging – Focus on using as little packaging material as needed and making packaging as recyclable as possible.
9. Pollution Prevention – Keep attention on both source control and waste reduction
10. Recycling and Waste Reduction – Anywhere there is a trash can, there should be a recycling bin.
11. Resource Conservation – Consider material and energy consumption across the entire value chain…reduce, reuse, recycle.
12. Printing Less – Paper makes up about 35% of a typical company’s total waste stream
13. Go Digital – Reduce paper use and get contracts and documents signed more quickly by using electronic signatures.
14. Sustainable Partnering – A key aspect of business sustainability is making sure that you manage your supply chain and partner with companies with similar values.
15. Sustainable Education and Development – There is always more you can do to make your business more sustainable.  Encourage education and innovation within the organization.

 
Taking proactive steps to anticipate change in the business world can not only create an opportunity to capture immediate value but can position and organization favorably in the future.  Our sustainability consulting works with clients to define business sustainability value drivers and integrate them into existing processes and evolving business models.

Be Green Packaging Chairwoman Wins Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

The Joe Nida Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is named in honor of the late Joe Nida, the founder of the California Coast Venture Forum. The award is given to entrepreneurs and pioneers who have exhibited tremendous courage, perseverance, and success throughout their careers – bettering their respective industries through the spirit of entrepreneurship.  

“Through the Clean Business Investment Summit, we are committed to supporting and maximizing market growth for Clean Business entrepreneurs and it is people like Megan that set an example of the power of the entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance, and courage in attaining one’s goals. It is our honor to present her with the Joe Nida Entrepreneurial Spirit Award,” explained Jerry Knotts, President & CEO of the California Coast Venture Forum.  

This esteemed award given on behalf of the California Coast Venture Forum had also been bestowed upon previous recipients including Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinko’s and Gillian Christie, founder of Christie Communications a sustainability pioneer for nearly 30 years.  

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Navigation Lessons from the Next Generation

Transformative Governance – Insights on Nonprofit Board Service

from Linda Crompton of BoardSource

One of the “hot topics” in nonprofit governance conversations these days is the subject of young people in the sector. In fact, the discussions have been going on for quite some time now; for the past couple of years, conferences have featured “Next Gen” sessions and streams comprising panels discussing the importance of young people in the nonprofit world of the future. It seems to me, however, that much of the discussion about what this generation brings to the table has focused on the predictable: “social media,” “monetizing Twitter,” “fundraising through networking.” While it is obvious that those born into a technologically connected world will be much more likely to see the opportunities that technology represents, and will indeed eventually solve the puzzle of transforming online visits into sales, I think to concentrate the discussion on those topics alone is to miss a vitally important benefit that younger workers bring to the workforce or the boardroom: They are adept at navigating a rapidly changing world.

Let me explain:

All of us in the sector are working hard to understand the implications of the sweeping societal changes that are taking place following the economic recession of the past two years. Boards, in particular, are struggling to make sense of all this and to devise new solutions and strategies for their organizations. It goes without saying that all potential solutions must be created within a financial sustainability framework, and that experience with economic turndowns and cycles is critically important for those holding board seats. But what is often overlooked is that these challenges are part of a wider context of change – in philanthropy in general, fundraising, and even in the very structure and incorporation of nonprofit entities themselves.

While older board members often do have the wider financial experience, the next generation of employees came of age into a world where these challenges already existed. Innovation is automatic to them. By incorporating technology and networking into every solution they put their minds to, they automatically change the process. And because that change is at lightning speed, for young people there is no “business as usual,” which is exactly the message we have all received from the recession. The next generation of leaders can make the crucial difference in how effectively your board navigates a path forward while the ground continually shifts beneath it, because this generation has never known any other way to go.

Learn more about BoardSource.

Vivi’s Pick of the Week – Organic

Vivi BlogWe love the 100% organic cotton jumpsuit from Clover New York. Jordana and Mariette, the women behind Clover are committed to producing beautifully made organic children’s clothing that’s fun and functional.

An easy onepiece that looks adorable, this jumpsuit is comfortable and perfect for Fall. I love the red zipper detail and metallic snap buttons!

100% Organic Cotton Jumpsuit

Thank you Jordana and Mariette for this wonderful organic children’s line! Check out other great items from Clover here

Shop Local – New Jersey

Vivi Blog

In the land of  mega malls I generally try to avoid them at all costs. Not only because of the terrible traffic they cause, the fact that I’m not a big fan of crowds, or fighting for parking, but also because in the current economic climate I can’t express enough the importance of supporting local small businesses. Now i know this may come off as a bit biased considering I’m a small business owner myself! But I truly believe in it, and it makes the monotony of running daily errands so much more enjoyable.

The days of shopping your local town, stopping in at the butcher for your meat, the baker for bread, the town pharmacist for medicine is quickly becoming a thing of the past. When you can make one stop at a megastore and get everything done in a heartbeat, why on EARTH would you make multiple stops? I admit after a long day at work I am not too keen on stopping on the grocery store and then making another stop at the local butcher, florist or bakery. It is oh so tempting to just throw everything in the cart and run home; but every time I do I couldn’t be happier that I did. The butcher especially can actually be fun! I can call my order in ahead of time, chat a bit with Emilio (the owner),  learn something new abut a particular cut of meat, and get a product that is far superior to anything in the supermarket meat case.

So here is my first shop local recommendation, Waldwick Prime Meats in Waldwick New Jersey.  Shops like this one are nearly extinct, so get out there, buy some prime meat from your local butcher, and cook up a delicious dinner!

You can check out Waldwick Prime Meats website right here! 

 The “Vivi Store,” as my niece calls it, is a small clothing shop (located in Ho-Ho-Kus NJ) for babies and children, designed around the concept of living green, reducing waste and supporting socially responsible companies. Everything at Vivi is made with natural fibers. We have a mix of lines that are either organic, handmade or made with recycled fabric. And most of our designers are doing something to give back to the global community. Whether it’s in the structure of their company and how it’s run, in their philosophy of giving back or in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, they are all producing fantastic products that are healthy for the planet and for the children who wear them. As consumers, we really do have the power to change the world for the better just by choosing to support the companies that are working to do just that.
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