|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Are you ready for Sustainable Selling?
| Guest post by: Sue Barrett |
Article Overview: With the green agenda comes Sustainable Selling. More and more questions are being asked by many about how we can best manage this relationship now and for future generations? I recently attended and spoke at the 6th CIPS Australasia Annual Conference (peak industry body for the Procurement Profession) where Sustainability was well and truly on the agenda.
 |
Free Download - How Your Procurement Practices Affect Your Sales and Brand By Sue Barrett |
Are you ready for Sustainable Selling?
With the green agenda comes Sustainable Selling. More and more
questions are being asked by many about how we can best manage this
relationship now and for future generations?
I recently attended and spoke at the 6th CIPS Australasia Annual
Conference (peak industry body for the Procurement Profession) where
Sustainability was well and truly on the agenda. The conference theme,
‘Managing Volatility’, had a range of national and international
speakers presenting on how we manage and guarantee supply in an ever
changing, often unpredictable world. The key topic, which everything
seemed to revolve around, was about managing value rather than only
managing cost. The messages I received was that the Procurement
Profession wants to encourage real, measurable value, trust,
transparency, substance, and ethical selling and procurement practices
which discourages excessive consumption and greed. The focus was on
forging legitimate business relationships which serve the environment,
people, businesses and communities. ‘We are all in this together’ was
the point that I resonated with.
Taking the lead from the CIPSA conference, other forward thinking
professional bodies and emerging business practices such as Fair Trade,
if we are to meet the needs of the present (economic, environmental and
social) without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs, we need to engage in Sustainable Selling practices
which support the concept of Sustainable Development as part of our
strategy moving forward.
The Brundtland Report that formalised ideas around Sustainable
Development provides the basis for practical application of the
principles of sustainability in the real world. Sustainable Development
is not a fixed state of harmony, but rather a process of change in
which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the
orientation of technological development and institutional change are
made consistent with future as well as present needs.
Cradle to Cradle Design is one example of some clever thinking and
action around sustainable development. Cradle to Cradle Design is a
biomimetic approach to the design of systems. It models human industry
on nature’s processes in which materials are viewed as nutrients
circulating in healthy, safe metabolisms. It suggests that industry
must protect and enrich ecosystems and nature’s biological metabolism
while also maintaining safe, productive technical metabolism for the
high-quality use and circulation of organic and synthetic materials.
Put simply, it is a holistic economic, industrial and social framework
that seeks to create systems that are not just efficient but essentially
waste free. The model in its broadest sense is not limited to
industrial design and manufacturing; it can be applied to many different
aspects of human civilisation such as urban environments, buildings,
economics and social systems.
Sustainable Selling, I propose therefore, is made up of ethical selling
principles, ideas, values and practices which values trust,
transparency, substance, community, the environment and healthy profits
while discouraging the exploitation of people and resources, excessive
consumption and greed. Sustainable Selling recognises that everybody
lives by selling something and that selling is about the principle of
exchange – the sustainable exchange of ideas, innovations, products,
tools, concepts, feelings, money and value.
The focus is on creating Sustainable Selling business cultures by
encouraging and training all people in sustainable selling and business
principles and skills so they can forge legitimate business
relationships which serve the environment, people, business and
communities.
Take the Victorian Government and VECCI initiative Carbon Compass which
was launched in April 2010. Carbon Compass is a place where small and
medium businesses can find knowledge, share information and get
practical advice on how to reduce their carbon footprint. The website
has been developed to help us understand what carbon is and where it
exists in our businesses. It is designed to help us make our businesses
more sustainable. The carbon, climate change and sustainability
solutions they host have been recommended by businesses for businesses.
At Barrett, we recognise the importance of minimising the impact of the
way we do business. We have a continuous improvement approach and have
developed a purchasing and recycling strategy and sustainability
checklist amongst other things – our goal is to live and work with a
cradle to cradle mindset. As one of our initial steps, we have signed
up to Carbon Compass as well and find it a great resource.
However, our vision for Sustainable Selling extends beyond the day to
day operations of our business. On a broader business perspective, at
Barrett we are in the process of developing the Sustainable Selling
Manifesto & Charter where we are inviting individuals and companies
to contribute to its formation.
Following on from our vision extends to the creation of a tribe or
community of businesses and business people who subscribe to the
Sustainable Selling Charter which would lead to the subsequent
opportunity for businesses to do business with other Sustainable Selling
Partners.
The Sustainable Selling Charter & Practices would support the
concept of Sustainable Development and Cradle to Cradle initiatives
which provides practical applications of the principles of
sustainability in the real world.
Sustainable Selling is not a fixed state of harmony but rather an
evolving process in which the application of resources, the direction of
investments, the orientation of technological development and
institutional change are balanced with future as well as present needs.
2010 and beyond will be about putting eco into sales.
Remember everybody lives by selling something.
Increase Sales by Selling Sustainable Solutions that Deliver Measurable Results instead of Benefits
Moving Forward: International Financial Institutions
SME's - do you want business from government?
Introduction: Fiscal Dimensions of Sustainable Development
Examples of Sustainable Development
What People Want
Fiscal Dimensions of Sustainable Development
Sustainability Driven Innovation
Get me a woman
What Makes You Different?
Sustainable Business Growth - It Is All About Team
Is Your Sales Message Is Sending the Wrong Message?
How To Sell A Business
Moving Forward: International Community
The Evolution of Your Business
What can business and governments do to promote SMEs?
How to Sell When Selling Isn’t Your Strength
No BS Sales Success
Earth Day and The Business of Green
Social Action Driving Businesses to Adopt Sustainable Practices
Article Tags: creation, ethics, procurement, relationship, relationships, sales, selling, strategy, sustainability, value, values
|
About the Author: Sue Barrett RSS for Sue's articles - Visit Sue's website Sue is one of the leading voices commenting on sales today. Sue has a unique way of getting to the heart of the matter - she combines extensive knowledge, research, insight, and practical experience with a deep sense of compassion to bring forth a more enlightened way of thinking and participating in the world. This makes her stand out from the usual crowd of existing business commentators. Her ability to distill complex ideas and relate them to life's everyday challenges and opportunities has audience members and readers leaving with a stronger understanding of "self" and how they can begin to achieve excellence through purposeful action. Presenting and writing on a wide range of topics about the world of 21st Century selling Sue's presentations and articles include sales philosophy and culture, sales leadership and coaching, sales training, selling skills, resilience, neuroscience in selling and more. Sue's articles are some of the most widely read in Australia and she is gaining a following overseas as well. Besides publishing on Barrett Sales Blog site, Sue has been the lead sales writer for www.smartcompany.com.au since 2007, and is also regularly published on other highly regarded publications such as Australian Anthill Magazine, Niche Magazine, Marketing Mag, Business Chicks, and Business Deals. Click here to visit Sue's website   Planning for 2011 Persistence and the Honourable Retreat Whos in charge of your sales recruitment On Show Through the looking glass |
Related Forum Posts
Free equity stake in Online patent selling business
- A rare opportunity to obtain an equity stake in a successful business with no upfront costs. Established recently this business has access to a number of secured patents ready to be sold to potential investors. Selling worldwide, there are major opportunities for organic growth and gaining healthy commissions for product promotion.
The current owners are seeking an energetic businesslike self-starter with a hunger for success. You will not be required to input any capital, but an equity share of up to 30% (in increments), and a corresponding share of the trading profits, is available on successfully hitting profit targets.
This is an extraordinary opportunity. you will be closely supported by the owners and encouraged at every step. An interest in patents and intellectual property is desirable, but the key factor is your willingness to work hard to develop an even stronger business.
How to do marketing research for blog printing service?
- I am working on the service which allows blog owners to distribute their content in a printer form by regular mail. Every blog reader will be able to subscribe to his favorite blogs and receive it as a newspaper.
1) How can I do a marketing research to see how many people are ready to use it and how much they are ready to pay?
2) How can I evaluate the market size for this service? like $10M or $100000 or ... ?
Thank you
Seeking Investors For Downtown Victoria Development - Great
- Hi everyone
This is a quick post to let everyone know of an opportunity that may be of interest to you.
I have a friend that is looking to raise capital for a new condo development in downtown Victoria BC. Just received the preliminary numbers and they look great. He has a great location under contract and is ready to get started right away.
If anyone is interested please let me know ASAP so that I can send you the financial projections when they're ready. I can be reached at phil(at)philhogan.com
Regards
Phil
Re: Kevin's Case Study #10 - When to become an entrepreneur?
- When the bug bite you. A lot of successful entrepreneurs started in their teens or at school. Selling sweets to fellow students or lemonade to firends in the neighbourhood.
Re: This is Marketing Warfare!
- Hey GT,
I guess this was from a while back, and it'll test your memory a bit but could you possibly elaborate on Unique Selling Proposition?
Can you give us some examples of good USPs?
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
by: Jeff Ogden, B2B Lead Generation Strategies
Best Automated Forex Trading Strategy
Build Your List with Joint Venture Giveaway Events
May 2012 Top 100 Social Media Experts to Follow on Twitter
What to measure to be phenomenally successful in business
10 mistakes of media relations
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Business Coach Explains To You How To Add Value
Five Ways to Show Honest Appreciation
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.