Environmental Sustainability and You – Part 1
4 Myths about Going Green
by Brad Egeland
There were tree-huggers in the 60s and 70s. “Save the Planet” was the
prevailing term in the 80’s and 90’s. Now, the phrase “Going Green” has been
replaced by the more business-like “Environmental Sustainability.” It is
definitely one of today’s main catch phrases and everyone wants to know what
you’re doing about it. Your customers may be asking you about it. Your investors
are most definitely curious. Your utilities are offering breaks for it. Your
kids are probably even asking you about it when you close up shop and go home
for the night because they’re learning about it in school.
In the first part of this two-part series, we’ll discuss the myths that many
seem to be focused on as an excuse for just doing nothing rather than trying to
make some progress in reducing their own small company’s carbon footprint. In
the second part of this series, we’ll look at things you can do to help your
company contribute to environmental sustainability.
Avoiding the Excuses
Environmental sustainability has moved to the forefront of our culture and
it seems that everyone is at least concerned about it and some individuals and
businesses are actually trying to do something about it – although as with all
causes some of those efforts are worthwhile and some are likely in vain.
It’s definitely a good direction – no one can argue that seeking to meet our
own current resource needs without adversely affecting our children’s generation
and our children’s children’s generation is not a worthwhile effort. However, it
seems today that many small businesses are finding it difficult to enter into
the environmental sustainability movement.
For most small businesses they want to do something - but out of frustration,
comfort, or ignorance they simply do nothing while citing at least one of the
following reasons:
1. No idea of where to start. Not knowing how or where to start is never
a good excuse to do nothing – especially in this age of the Internet. The
sources available to you to get ideas and information is nearly endless. Watch
videos on Youtube.com, check government sites for advice, and definitely check
small business advice sites for information because sites and forums dedicated
to helping small companies in nearly every aspect of their business – including
sustainability – number in the thousands and beyond. The information is there,
you just need to find it and use it.
2. My efforts wouldn’t make a difference. If we all used this argument
when it came to voting for a President, we’d have no one to run our country.
Just like every vote counts…ever tree planted, ever greener process
incorporated, and every dollar donated does make a difference – especially when
you advertise your efforts and intentions (not in too much of a self-gratifying
way, though…be careful here). Your competitors will see it and feel the need to
‘green’ their processes and businesses as well. It can and will spread fast.
Just look at how quickly ‘going green’ and ‘environmental sustainability’ became
household phrases…they’re not going away so get on board.
3. Environmental sustainability is for big business. Indeed, the
sustainability has inspired much innovation in this area on the part of big
businesses in the form of recycling, creating renewable energy sources, and much
greener business processes and practices. However, size has nothing to do with
it. It’s all about identifying smart ways to do business without adversely
affecting the environment. And according to various industry research findings,
companies with a proven commitment to the environment tend to outperform other
companies.
4. Changing to greener methods will put me out of business. Many small
businesses are avoiding the issue because they believe a change to greener
practices is going to require significant dollar investments on their part. They
perceive that the efforts will generate added costs, not concrete business
benefits. Green initiatives can make a quantifiable contribution to both the
environment and your bottom line, that includes improvements in employee morale,
customer loyalty, and brand image. Companies in certain industries have even
been able to pull the customer in as a contributor to environmental
sustainability efforts. For example, many hotel chains are asking customers to
consider having sheets and towels laundered less frequently as a means of
cutting back on resource usage. The hotel chain improves their image, the
customer participates and everyone wins
Next
In Part 2 of this series, we’ll look at a few steps you can take to get your
organization in the environmental sustainability game. Once you’re on track, you
can use it in advertising, you’ll look better to your customers, and you can
tell your kids about it at the end of the day.
Copyright © 2009 Attard Communications, Inc.
May not be copied, reprinted, or reproduced without express permission from
Attard Communications, Inc.
Brad Egeland is an IT/Project Management consultant and
author with over 24 years of development and management experience leading
initiatives in Manufacturing, Government Contracting, Gaming and Hospitality,
Retail Operations, Aviation and Airline, Pharmaceutical, Start-ups, Healthcare,
Higher Education, Non-profit, High-Tech, Engineering and general IT. Mr. Egeland
is married, a Christian, and father of 7 living in sunny Las Vegas, NV. Visit
his web site at
www.bradegeland.com. |
