Presentation on employee programs as a sustainability strategy for companies. Looks at WalMart and New Belgium Brewery as comparative case studies.

1. Corporate
Sustainability
through
Employee
Programs
Triple Bottom Feeders
Hillary Abell
Natalie Hubbard
Jonathan Dirrenberger
18 Apr 2013

2. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
“Recent evidence indicates that companies that lead in
sustainability outperform their less sustainable peers”
“Recent evidence indicates that companies that lead in
sustainability outperform their less sustainable peers”
Employee sustainability programs:
•Build sustainability into
company culture
•Create the necessary
employee “buy-in”
•Leverage full talents
throughout organization

3. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
Internal ProgramsInternal Programs
• Integrate sustainability
into daily tasks
• Engage a wide variety
of employees
• Require more effort
External ProgramsExternal Programs
• Encourage employees to
act more sustainably in
their personal lives
• Require few changes to
business model
• Low cost
• Generate positive publicity
When applied together, the two types of programs create
the conditions for full integration of sustainability
When applied together, the two types of programs create
the conditions for full integration of sustainability

4. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
Walmart made 3 sustainability pledges in 2005:
1) 100% renewable energy
2) zero waste
3) products that sustain people & the planet
Walmart made 3 sustainability pledges in 2005:
1) 100% renewable energy
2) zero waste
3) products that sustain people & the planet
• 2.3m employees (hiring 4.3m over next 5 years)
• 28 countries
• World’s largest private employer
• World’s largest retailer

5. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
In 2011, MSP had 100,000 participants
& 50,000 on-line users
In 2011, MSP had 100,000 participants
& 50,000 on-line users
My Health
eat healthy
get active
quit tobacco
reduce stress
My Planet
save water
reduce waste
save energy
enjoy nature
My Life
learn new skills
manage money
make quality time
help others

6. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
35 companies have rolled out MSP under
a royalty-free licensing agreement
35 companies have rolled out MSP under
a royalty-free licensing agreement
60%
50%
30%
Employee
participation

7. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
• 100% employee owned
• 400+ employees
• “High involvement” culture
• Wall Street Journal’s
“15 Top Small Workplaces”
• 97% retention rate

8. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
• Free cruiser bike after 1 year --> 50% commute via bicycle
• Heavy emphasis on employees’ personal sustainability
• “Have fun” is part of mission statement
• Deep commitment to sustainable business practices

9. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
Integration at all levels of the companyIntegration at all levels of the company

10. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
Integration at all levels of the companyIntegration at all levels of the company
Provide incentives for sustainability successProvide incentives for sustainability success

11. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
Integration at all levels of the companyIntegration at all levels of the company
Maintain integrity with other core practicesMaintain integrity with other core practices
Provide incentives for sustainability successProvide incentives for sustainability success

12. Introduction Concepts Case Study: External Case Study: Internal Best Practices
Integration at all levels of the companyIntegration at all levels of the company
Communication of successes and failuresCommunication of successes and failures
Maintain integrity with other core practicesMaintain integrity with other core practices
Provide incentives for sustainability successProvide incentives for sustainability success

13. Employee Engagement at GreenBiz.com
greenbiz.com/microsite/green-team
Walmart’s Global Responsibility Report
corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/environment-
sustainability/global-responsibility-report
Sustainability at New Belgium Brewing
newbelgium.com/sustainability.aspx
Additional Resources
92% of Millennials indicate they want to
work for an environmentally-conscious firm
92% of Millennials indicate they want to
work for an environmentally-conscious firm