GREEN BUSINESS VIEWS

Fighting back after years of negative impression, Going Green is not anti-business, too much trouble, or a poor investment.  As with many new programs, the Green business agenda did not emerge fully developed.  It was often faulty, awkward, and didn’t live up to expectations.  I had three sons who took time to turn into wonderful men as they matured into adult life.  Of course, they all had moments when I wondered if they wouldn’t self-destruct.  Green business is still in its infancy, but quickly emerging into something that we can all appreciate.

The loose belief  has been that Green was boldly anti-business and the haven of treehuggers.  Sustainability was the stronghold for the pragmatic business was the opposing side of the environmental street. This misguided beliefs made Going Green seem like a begrudging concession by business to a program that is merely an accommodation rather than a smart business decision.  This kind of latent negativism is not right and needs a new visitation to this subject.

Going Green is about the health impact of the workplace.  Sustainability is about the better management of our resources.  These are positives that every business can embrace.  What we are now realizing is that the necessary changes are not just good for the environment.  The investment in Green and sustainable practices has a payback that can be calculated in both soft and hard numbers.

Let me also point out that there have been a number of self-appointed and narrow-interest Green advisers who have not given business a holistic and pragmatic solution for the Greening of a business.  For example, buying carbon credits will not make a company Green because the company in question is still pouring carbon dioxide into the community.  The carbon credits are merely penance for their abuse.  If a well-designed sustainability plan is developed by a Certified Green Consultant, the orchestration of Green practices will achieve more than a Green operations.  It will undoubtedly save a company a great deal of money.

Whether a company retains a Certified Green Consultant or trains an in-house Certified Sustainability Officer, the multiply benefits are not just found in a passion for the the environment.  There is also the marketing value of a company that demonstrates corporate responsibility which is a great way to appeal to a worried world.  A healthier, less antagonistic workplace will certain discourage lawsuits from suffering employees.  However, every business is concerned about the return on investment.  Does it really pay to Go Green?

So, here’s the basic facts.  If business uses less electricity, less paper, less fuel, less water, and creates less trash; profits are increased.  If a healthier workplace and workers are empowered, doesn’t productivity reflect in more revenues?  If more customers are attracted to a Green certified company, won’t the annual report look better?  If energy rates go up, isn’t efficiency a increasing asset?   If the cost of trash is figured at $65 a ton with an escalating future cost, isn’t it a good idea to reduce packaging and cut paper use?

The investment in a Green business is certainly a noble effort, but it has potentially robust financial returns.  There is an efficiency that comes to doing the job in a committed and complete fashion.  This does not come from amateur efforts, but through the solid and professional advice of someone trained to create a sustainable plan.  It is fair to say that the ROI for a well-done sustainability plan is 12-24 months compared to LEED projections of 15-20 years for construction projects.  Going Green the right way is not just an investment.  It can be one of the best efficiency investments you might make.

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