Comments on: Doing the Right Thing in Business: Are You Doing it Right?

By: Gabriel Cade

Gabriel Cade — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:45:52 +0000

The inevitability of this shift in business models seems, uhm, inevitable. Being the corporation that comes through this transition first will have it’s advantages, but any efforts in this direction will later need to be realigned with the parallel integration of new technologies and global acceptance of the importance of ecofficiencies. This will ultimately become “the norm.”
I would be interested to hear some more direct examples of how some currently thriving companies, like WalMart, have integrated sustainability directly into their business model, rather than the piecemeal efficiencies (again, ecofficiencies).
Thanks for the great piece. It reminds me of a prize-winning essay I once wrote.

By: Tim Albinson

Tim Albinson — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:57:46 +0000

Since the vast majority of a company’s carbon footprint is embedded in its supply chain, it makes sense to focus eco-efficiency and sustainability initiatives there. As is typically the case, it will prove more beneficial to be proactive rather than reactionary, and companies that scrutinize their entire value chain and come out ahead of regulations will have a competitive advantage.

By: Shel Horowitz

Shel Horowitz — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:43:34 +0000

Good post–I’m going to tweet it.
I think you hit it dead on with “few companies are treating sustainability as a strategic opportunity.”
Yes, the more strategic you are in your approach to sustainability, the more effective it will be, and the more the economics will work in your favor.
BTW, I discuss strategic sustainability initiatives a bit in my award-winning sixth book, Principled Profit: Marketing That Puts People First, http://www.principledprofit.com