|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Helping Sustainability Make Sense to Small and Mid-Sized Companies
| Guest post by: Tammy Kohl |
Article Overview: Sustainability is fast becoming a business strategy that is being embraced by many industries and organizations. It means different things to different companies. Learn how companies of any size can make sustainability work for them.
 |
Free Download - What Does a Customer Really Want? By Tammy Kohl |
Helping Sustainability Make Sense to Small and Mid-Sized Companies
Sustainability
is fast becoming a business strategy that is being embraced by many industries
and organizations. Based on all of the Environmental issues our planet is
facing, creating a mindset of corporate social responsibility (CSR) makes
sense. The question on many small to mid-sized business owners’ minds is, “It
makes logical sense but does it or can it make good business sense?” Early on,
many companies who adopted a strategy of sustainability were large companies
like Walmart, Nike, Heineken, Adidas, and P&G just to name a few. You can
go to each of their websites and find dedicated communication about their
sustainability initiatives, objectives, action steps, and measurable outcomes.
Many have created an independent sustainability department dedicated to
accomplishing its initiatives with a chief sustainability officer to lead the
charge. To those organizations that have made this level of commitment, kudos!
Congratulations on achieving phenomenal results.
However,
according to the SBA, over 90% of the businesses in the United States that are categorized
as small to mid-sized and are looking at examples of sustainability through the
lens of companies like Walmart and others become overwhelmed. Most small to
mid-sized companies barely know how to define what sustainability means to
their company, let alone how to commit the resources to implement a plan of
attack.
Sustainability
means different things to different companies. Size of company and industry
will most definitely play a role in the definition. However, there are
commonalities to sustainability that apply to every business, and it is a
strategy that has proven to be profitable. It can create a competitive business
advantage while positively impacting the Environment.
When the
core components of an organization are aligned, it leads to profitability,
loyal customers, long-term growth, and systems thinking—all measurable business
outcomes.
The core three business components include: People,
Process, and the Environment.
When the
components are not aligned, and the People area stands alone, companies have a
tendency to focus on solving problems, putting out fires, and reacting to
challenges as they present themselves. When Processes are not aligned and there
is no strategic focus, a departmental mentality starts to bubble to the
surface. Variation starts to creep in and each department tends to focus on
their own self-interest in lieu of Process alignment. When organizations focus
on Environmental issues apart from their strategic direction, they are often
focused on compliance and therefore Environmental issues are often viewed an
expense.
However,
as the components start to align you can see how People and Process create
innovation, begin to prevent problems, and foster interdepartmental teams who
produce results quickly. As Process and Environment begin to intersect,
departmental alignment is generated. More efficient relationships with the
supply chain are created while creating an Environment of systems thinking. As
People and Environment come together, it creates employee engagement, proactive
decision making, and reinforces that sustainability is part of the
organization’s culture.
Are the
core components of your business in alignment? Putting sustainability aside for
a moment, if your business is currently out of alignment you are already
leaving business and money on the table. Can you imagine what business outcomes
and rewards you would achieve if your business was consistently aligned.
Sustainability – the new criteria
Greening Small Business
Corporate Sustainability - What are you doing to be ready for the NEW ERA
Defining Sustainability
CEO's are Becoming More Sustainable
Show Responsibility with a Sustainability Report
Building a Sustainable Organization Through Your People
The Opportunities of Sustainability
Staying Ahead of your CompetitionThe Green way
A Vision for Sustainability
Sustainability is an outcome of intention, heart and mind set, and action
What’s YOUR Sustainability Blueprint?
Marketing and Business Sustainability
Canon Reaffirms Green Procurement Program for Earth Day
Sustainable Management - 10 Steps To Success
Conclusion - Microfinance: A Platform for Social Change
Hmmm!
Sustainable Business is Good Business
Building Trust
How to Improve Sales Training Programs with this One Word
Referred by: http://www.increase-sales-coach.com
|
About the Author: Tammy Kohl RSS for Tammy's articles - Visit Tammy's website www.resourceassociatescorp.com www.theinstituteforsustainability.com 800-762-6227 Tammy Kohl, President of Resource Associates Corporation, has been with the corporation since 1986. During that time she has held a series of increasingly responsible positions until her appointment in January 2002 to the position of President. Tammy's experience in working with personal clients and RAC affiliates has given her practical and extensive experience in the areas of creating customer value, comprehensive knowledge of RAC and TQI processes, and generating results on both the personal and organizational level. This knowledge and experience is invaluable in establishing the future course of Resource Associates Corporation on a national and international level. As part of her duties as Executive Vice President she was responsible for managing the production, customer service and affiliate support areas of the corporation. This knowledge and understanding of running operations gives her an in depth and well rounded working knowledge of how to run a successful business. In addition to her business sustainability, management and people skills she is proficient in setting strategic directions and accomplishing them. Tammy holds a degree in Business Administration. She is the founder of The Institute for Sustainability, an instructor for Achievement Seminars International and heads the RAC Executive Committee. Click here to visit Tammy's website   Building a Sustainable Organization Through Your People Decisions and Motivations Unemployment to Entrepreneurship A Vision for Sustainability Leadership Responsibility |
Related Forum Posts
Re: Quote of the Day - "The only people witho
- Thanks for sharing this Evan, there are some very powerful quotes in there, I particularly like this one:-
You are now at a crossroads. This is your opportunity to make the most important decision you will ever make. Forget your past. Who are you now? Who have you decided you really are now? Don't think about who you have been. Who are you now? Who have you decided to become? Make this decision consciously. Make it carefully. Make it powerfully.
regards,
Mal.
Re: Quote of the Day - "No man can become rich without himself e
- I wholeheartedly agree!
Helping others is a great way to help yourself, by bringing more meaning to your life.
Profiling Famous Women Entrepreneurs
- Great suggestion Leanne! The PROFIT Companies are always great sources!
Affiliates vs selling your own material
- [quote:1w85dxq6]I will check into the few mentioned other affilliate programs, anyone have any other suggestions?[/quote:1w85dxq6]
Rather than using an affiliate (other than Google Ad Sense, which works well,at least for me) , why not write pamphlets or How to Books of your own, and sell them on your site. Then, when you get a purchase, *you* get the full purchase price, not just a small percentage, which is what you get as an affiliate...
List of a few legitimate online business
- Well My main methods to make money so far are adsense,affiliate marketing and freelancing and I think these are some more sites that can help me to make some more money.Your reviews are welcome:
::linkworth dot com>This site is awesome and offer lots of ways to make money.
::mturk dot com>complete simple mini task and get paid
::microworkers dot com>complete simple mini task and get paid
::shorttask dot com>complete simple mini task and get paid
::istockphoto dot com>sell stock photos
::eHow dot com>Make money writing
::Bukisa>Make money writing
::Associate Content>Make money writing
::Triond>Make money writing
::fiverr dot com>$5 freelancing job
::cpalead dot com>make money by completing offer
::peerfly>make money by completing offer
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: 
How To Use Carbon Copy Pro As A Strategic Tool For Your Business
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
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
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.