Saving money, capturing new market opportunities and
reducing risk are just a few of the benefits that owners and
managers of Canadian organizations are realizing from going "green"
and becoming more environmentally sustainable.
GLOBE-Net (July 12, 2010) - "It's not easy
being green." The famous 1970 song by Kermit the Frog, still seems
to resonate with many managers.
Despite the proven benefits of becoming more environmentally
sustainable, many managers of small-to-medium sized companies,
not-for-profits and public sector organizations have yet to take
that first step. Why?
Research from around the world suggests that the issues related to
environmental, economic and social sustainability are not easily
defined or commonly understood, and this was the principal barrier
preventing many organizations from becoming more sustainable.
Having a common understanding - indeed a common language - with
which managers could discuss sustainability issues with their
colleagues emerged as the key success factor, because it enables
everyone to better understand and to be able to discuss what
sustainability is and how it could impact their organizations.
RBC provides this common language with its 50-page guidebook
designed to help managers on the road to sustainability.
"Greening your business: A guide to getting started"
features insights from sustainability leaders such as Canada's Bob
Willard and others from Canadian Business for Social Responsibility
(CBSR), The Natural Step Canada, IBM Canada, Deloitte and The
Delphi Group.
The Guide provides all the information business leaders will
need to get started, including:
- A clear definition of sustainability and an explanation of its
implications
- Steps on how to achieve buy in and engagement from senior
decision makers and employees
- A self audit to get a clear picture of how far along your
company is on its quest and to help determine where to focus future
efforts.
- Case studies from leaders of some Canadian organizations going
green: Legend Power Systems Inc., Landmark Group of Builders and
the Toronto District School Board.
Getting started is not as difficult as some might think. Follow
five basic steps, suggests the Guide.
1. Commit to change
- Prepare for going green by making a commitment, forming
a team, taking stock of your resources and finding your starting
line.
2. Understand what matters
- Assess your environmental impacts and relationships with
stakeholders, and then use this information to build your
organization's case for change.
3. Focus your vision
- Create a compelling vision for an environmentally
sustainable organization and identify your priority issues.
4. Create your strategic
plan - Generate ideas and prioritize actions, then develop
a tactical path to achieve your short- and long-term environmental
sustainability objectives.
5. Make it mainstream
- Hard-wire "green" into all facets of your organization
and celebrate successes.
But "Greening your business - A guide to getting
started" is much more than a simple 'Five Steps to
Sustainability" Guide. It provides clear and easy to understand
definitions of some of the leading concepts behind the
sustainability movement, as well as factual case studies of success
that have been achieved by organizations large and small.
To further assist businesses along on their journey to going
green, RBC has also created an advice centre with additional articles, videos
and whitepapers full of information on topics such as: managing
carbon, conserving water, waste management and energy
retrofits.
There are many valuable lessons throughout this highly readable
and informative Guide, but the most important message is that the
road to sustainability is a never ending journey, one that is full
of surprises and equally rewarding results that will please
managers, employees, customers and shareholders alike.
For those who may have forgotten, by the end of his song, Kermit
the Frog recalls all the positive things about being green, and
concludes with the words "It's beautiful! And it's what I want
to be..."
Those who follow the lessons contained in RBC's Greening your
business - A guide to getting started, may very well end up singing
the same song.
Click here to download the Guide