The document outlines the benefits and strategies for businesses to adopt sustainability initiatives, highlighting a potential 38% profit increase and improved employee productivity from such efforts. It discusses various case studies and examples, demonstrating the financial savings and positive impact on company culture associated with green practices. Additionally, the text emphasizes the importance of integrating sustainability into business strategies and establishing measurable goals to foster long-term success.

1. The first steps of greening your business Michelle Bishop Take A Step Consulting takeastep.com Geoff Stack LEED AP STACK Coordination stackcoordination.com

2. Welcome. Why green? What have others done? Where do we go from here?

3. Introductions… Your venture Your motivations Your current challenge

4. Why change? +38 % profit increase in 5 years from the implementation of strategic sustainability initiatives Businesses can expect a (or more)

5. The Sustainability Advantage 38 % ? Says who? www.sustainabilityadvantage.com

6. A: What are we talking about? +38 % profit ~20 % Market: Increased revenue / market share (+5 % ) Lower insurance & borrowing costs (-5 % ) ~40 % People: Increased employee productivity (+10 % ) Reduced recruiting costs (-1 % ) Reduced attrition costs (-2 % ) ~40 % Eco-efficiency: energy, water, materials, waste (-5%, -20 % )

7. The Bottom Line Xerox $7.3M from sustainability awards Texas Instruments $5.1M in 1 yr. from 159 projects UCLA $2.5M from ‘Green IT’ alone RSC Equipment Rental $11,000 at one location SC Johnson $2,000/yr. in landscaping costs

8. Context Asset management Financial Capital Human Capital Natural Capital Biosphere Community Economy YOU EARN HERE.

9. Support it all… Innovation Speed to market New markets Talent wars Productivity Motivation Brand image Managing risks Compliance Supply security Profit Share price Growth Revenue Customer care Expense savings Competition Market share Leadership Governance

10. Company Value Financials Non-financials / Reputation

11. Company Value Financials Non-financials / Reputation Brand Image Stakeholder Relationships Employees Customers Media Economists NGOs Competitors Global Markets Governments Insurers The Public Investors Banks Opportunities Risks

12. Sustainability is… … indefinable. - Amory Lovins, CEO, Rocky Mountain Institute .... improving the quality of life for all living beings within the capacity of nature to provide that life. ‐ Paul Hawken, Natural Capital Institute, Founder of Smith + Hawken

13. ‘ Sustainability’ = Green = Sustainable Development (SD) = Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) = Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) = Triple Bottom Line (TBL) = 3Es (Economy, Equity, Ecology) = 3Ps (Profits, People, Planet)

14. A Range of Strategies Regulatory compliance ------------------------------ Low-hanging fruit Basic improvements Integrated strategy ------------------------------ Core purpose

15. A Range of Advice Regulatory compliance ------------------------------ Low-hanging fruit Basic improvements Integrated strategy ------------------------------ Core purpose Lawyer

16. Nike 1998 - Engagement ROI $2,000,000 in 9 mo. Shared learning, language, morale 2005 - Nike Considered Lifecycle index 2008 - North Star Vision Innovation Goals

17. Small to Medium Enterprises Chateau Ste. Michelle $10,000 in water plus time Red Dot Corporation $1,850 every Friday, $96,000 in assembly Stowe Mountain Lodge $8,600 in 7 months composting Yorkshire Water £1.2 million in 2007, EE Sweet Onion Creations attracting new customers

18. Admiral Dry Cleaners Family owned, 24 locations Benefits: Preempt legislation / risk Better customer relations “ Right thing to do for our family” ROI: break-even (ex. plastic vs. paper caps)

19. Green Audits What to expect from a Green Audit: Building/Employee Surveys Carbon Footprint Onsite Visit (1 or 2 day) Final Report and Action Plan The auditor providing this service has been certified by Strategic Sustainability Consultants (SSC) to use SSC's Green Audit Methodology. Learn more at www. sustainabilityconsulting . com/greenaudit

20. The Audit Process The auditor providing this service has been certified by Strategic Sustainability Consultants (SSC) to use SSC's Green Audit Methodology. Learn more at www. sustainabilityconsulting . com/greenaudit

21. Resources Regional Associations: Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance (CSBA), www. csballiance .org/ Sustainable Business Network of Washington, www. sbnow .org Media: GreenBiz, www. greenbiz .com

22. Resources Government U.S. EPA, Energy Star, www.energystar.gov Other Tons of books, web sites, etc. per specific topic, For example, Green IT Tools, www.greenittools.com

23. Wrap-up Questions? What other information will help you in your efforts?

24. The first steps of greening your business Michelle Bishop Take A Step Consulting takeastep.com Geoff Stack LEED AP STACK Coordination stackcoordination.com

25. Effective Projects …. Generate support from above and below Establish a green team Establish measurable goals Think long term Build on success

26. Leading Change Walk-the-talk Provide visible support through speeches, questions, actions Integrate into vision, mission, strategies Earn credibility and avoid “green-washing” Engage + Educate Solicit ideas and help from the entire company Align + Measure Monitor indicators and establish rewards systems

27. Personal Level Interpersonal Level Managerial Level Organizational Level TRUSTWORTHINESS: Character and Competence ALIGNMENT of visions, values, and systems EMPOWERMENT of trusted people TRUST between trustworthy people Based on Stephen R. Covey et al, First Things First , 1994 Principle-Centered Leadership

28. The Climate Crisis is here. The Energy Crisis is permanent. It’s personal. Investors, Banks, and Economists care. Mainstream media is on board. Politicians are reacting. Clean technology is changing the game Sustainability is not a fad.

29. An exercise… Two slides 45 seconds each One dictator (describes screen) One drawer (no peeking at screen)

33. Four strategic questions: A: What are we talking about? B : What do we have? C: What do we want? D: How are we going to get there?

34. Four questions: Direction A: B : C: D: = Dollars x Depth

35. A: What are we talking about? Asset management Financial Capital Human Capital Natural Capital Biosphere Community Economy YOU EARN HERE.

36. B: What do we have? Four main sources of risk Sustainability Principles Four ways of destroying this system Biosphere Community Economy YOU EARN HERE.

37. B: What do we have? Does your business: Depend on mined materials? Impose barriers that keep people from meeting their own needs? Rely on or produce toxics? Contribute to overharvesting?

38. C: What do we want? Backcasting defining success before we start working on it.

39. D: How will we get there? Does a proposal: Provide a sufficient return on investment? Proceed in the right direction? Establish a flexible platform for supporting future efforts?

40. Scandic Hotels 1994 - Engagement Immediate %17 energy savings 1996 - 2006 $23m in savings Education of 5,700 employees Stronger corporate culture 2025 Goal Fossil-fuel free

41. Hot Lips Pizza Immediate Savings ROI on $3000 in 7 months. Electric bill cut by 50% Organic ingredients Reduced packaging Customer relations

42. The first steps of greening your business Michelle Bishop Take A Step Consulting takeastep.com Geoff Stack LEED AP STACK Coordination stackcoordination.com