Advent Blog

The movement to be “green” is gaining momentum and as consumers step up to do their duty to preserve and protect our environment through sustainable practices, many businesses are meeting the challenge to do their part as well.  Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you have heard one of the multiple reasons why it is necessary to recycle, conserve energy, reuse, and so on, but how can sustainable practices benefit a business’ business?

PEOPLE

By nature, humans seek association with what is good.  Green practices within an organization can significantly impact a company’s culture. Employees are more productive and loyal to a company they are proud to be part of, an organization that “gives back” to its employees and the environment.  Sustainable business practices align with fundamental human components such as diversity, wage fairness, justice, harmony, etc. Many companies are creating “green teams” to evaluate and improve their green practices as related to company culture as well as physical impact on the environment.  Online tools are available from companies such as Be True Green to assist companies and their employees in making greener choices.

PLANET

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY – The Public pays attention and will support businesses that “do the right thing” even in small ways.  Organizations promoting sustainable practices often have “green” press kits that high light their sustainable efforts.  Every business can implement programs such as recycling, “duplexing” or using both sides of paper, reusing printer ink and toner cartridges, buying recycled products, turning off the lights and more to cut waste and save money.  Companies such as Aveda, have encompassed sustainability as a main component of their mission.  The company has drastically lowered its carbon footprint by recently becoming the first beauty company manufacturing with 100% wind power.  Wind energy is produced without air emissions like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, uses no water and requires no water treatment during production.

PROSPERITY

DRIVE DIFFERENTIATION – Businesses offering eco-friendly products and services are leading this growing trend and therefore have a competitive advantage.  Whether your target is consumers or other businesses, potential clients who are committed to sustainable practices will seek out and choose businesses that also support sustainability.

MEET MARKET DEMAND –As the public becomes more informed of why and how they can support sustainable practices, demand for green products and services will continue to rapidly increase.  Equip your business to meet the growing demand.

ADD VALUE AND SAVE MONEY

Sustainable practices can enhance human capital.  Herman Miller Office Furniture moved their headquarters into a building with many energy efficient elements, one of which is massive natural lighting.  Since the move, the organization has experienced increased productivity, higher recruitment and retention, and decreased tardiness.  The building also represents to clients the organization’s environmental philosophy.  It has become an educational tool to raise awareness and contribute to the protection of the environment, both now and in the future.

Herman Miller Office Furniture Headquarters

Sustainable practices can save money.  Ford’s 10 acre “living roof” at its Dearborn, MI manufacturing plant is the largest in the world and saved Ford $35 million in compliance costs.

Ford – Dearborn, MI

These are only a few reasons for green business practices.  You may find it helpful to find other businesses with which you collaborate with and partner with them on how to support each other in green practices.

Advent, an experiential marketing firm in Nashville, TN, partnered with Lipscomb University to create the 2008 Tennessee Green Business Summit and Expo.  The summit provided entrepreneurs, business people and trade professionals the opportunity to learn about the rapidly growing field of green business.  As this partnership continues growing, so does Advent’s sustainable business practices.

I encourage you to be proactive and seek ways in which your business can implement green practices.  Remember the three P’s – People, Planet, Prosperity and you’ll grow greener in more ways than one.

Teresa Drozak

Marketing Coordinator

Advent – 2008 TN Green Business Summit and Expo Event Partner

www.adventresults.com

Additional Resources

Be True Green provides additional ways to be greener in the office.

Wilmot, Inc. works with businesses to offer low-cost solutions combined with high tech, high performance approaches to conserve resources, improve health and save money.

Lipscomb University is now offering a green MBA program to equip individuals with skills and knowledge to lead businesses in the area of sustainable practice.