Guest post from Linda Zabriske
In the world of business, the new power word is “sustainability.” Manufacturers are looking for ways to use fewer toxins and more recycled products. Business schools are teaching sustainability practices in their masters programs. Service businesses are searching for low-energy servers and digital replacements for their paper. Stores are seeking more green labeled products and a greater dependence on the environmentally-minded consumer.
It comes as no surprise that many customers are starting to wonder what the real motives behind all this sustainability really are. After all, for-profit businesses are driven to create strategies to make money or improve their image. Other, more socially friendly tactics, tend to get left by the wayside. This leads to companies engaging in greenwashing, or simply pasting environmental-sounding logos onto their products without changing the product or process itself.
This has as Inc Magazine recently pointed out, led to a backlash among both analysts and consumers. Now people are eyeing, not marketing efforts, but the core practices of a business. Shrewder examinations are getting down to the nuts and bolts of sustainability, looking for long-lasting green programs showing real results. This has some corporations worrying about their initiatives...and if perhaps they jumped on the sustainable bandwagon a little too soon.
Too Much Too Soon
There is a case to be made for slowing down on sustainability programs among companies. For one thing, many companies choose sustainable practices because of subsidies, tax breaks, or regulations made by government organizations. Unfortunately, in both the United States and Europe, governmental policy is frequently influenced by popular opinion and current research. This means that in a few years subsidies and regulations could be changed or updated, rendering worthless all that cash the business dumped into sustainability.
The companies that are doing sustainability right begin with serious, independent research, high-cost consultations, and eco-efficiency analysis. They hire new managers devoted to greening up the place. They put aside a hefty amount of their budget to study the effects of the programs and make changes. These steps are, beyond most small or middle-sized businesses. For companies that can’t afford it, sitting back and waiting for better research may be a more attractive idea.
The Argument for Early Adoption
On the other hand, there are some powerful motivators for adopting sustainable practices sooner rather than later. For one thing, the core promise of eco-efficiency is cost savings. Low energy bulbs and cooling systems, for example, are designed to save money on running office buildings and are a win-win for most businesses. If a company does the green thing right, it should save money and even make money in the long-term.
On a deeper level, jumping on board with sustainable practices could be a way of jump starting business innovation. As the Harvard Business Review pointed out, sustainable development is one of the largest sources of new inventions, processes, and viewpoints in major corporations. The constant tensions between government, business, and environmental organization have created some surprising synergies, not to mention the ability to make profit in entirely new technological fields. For a farsighted business looking for that special boost into prominence, sustainability may be just what Mother Earth ordered.
Environmental Sustainability Programs: Is It Too Soon For Businesses To Go All In?
on Monday, June 18, 2012
CTGOP Chair Labriola appoints Meek
on Thursday, June 14, 2012
“I’m thrilled to have on our team someone with Chris’ depth of experience and knowledge of Connecticut’s political climate,” said Labriola.
Chris Meek is a valued member of the Republican Party, most recently running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District but choosing not to force a primary in favor of party unity. Additionally, Chris has been very active in various community organizations in Fairfield County including the two non-profits he founded, START! Now—which helps families facing foreclosure—and Soldier Socks—which provides essential items to troops serving overseas.
“In this role, Chris will be working with our District Second Vice-Chairmen to forward our grassroots organization and help build our party politically and financially as we work together towards victory in November,” added Labriola.
You won't want to miss this....
on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Don't miss Dennis House this morning.
This might be one of Chris Donovan's last interviews before he resigns the race in disgrace and heads off to oblivion with his former colleague, Tom Gaffey
This might be one of Chris Donovan's last interviews before he resigns the race in disgrace and heads off to oblivion with his former colleague, Tom Gaffey
We wish Donovan well in the Democratic primary.
Scum Bag
on Thursday, May 31, 2012
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan and his campaign staff are now the focus of the federal investigation that resulted in charges against his congressional campaign's finance director, a source familiar with the case said.
The influence-peddling investigation rocked the Capitol Thursday, as several legislators were interviewed by the FBI and Donovan's once-smooth path to Congress appeared in potential jeopardy.
FBI agents Thursday arrested Robert Braddock Jr,, 33, of Meriden, the finance director for Donovan's 5th Congressional District campaign, and charged him with concealing campaign contributions
Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Source-Chris-Donovan-a-focus-of-federal-probe-3599571.php#ixzz1wWBf6gOo
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