Move Your Business In A Sustainable Direction

* Today's article was submitted by author and business owner Trent A. Romer. Trent has worked hard to shift his plastic bag manufacturing company Clear View Bag Co., Inc (www.clearviewbag.com) toward a more sustainable direction through a new vision of Healthy Planet, Healthy People, Healthy Company.  His book Finding Sustainability details his journey to ultimately find sustainability in multiple places.  Visit www.trentromer.com for pictures and details about the book.  

How to move a business in a sustainable direction

 

Why companies ideally would like to move in a more sustainable direction seems clear at least at the surface.  Moving away from fossil fuel based energy consumption and avoiding products that have the landfill as the only end life destination are worthy goals.   

How to go about doing this can feel like a daunting task.  Where to start this process in onboarding clients, finding more sustainable materials, locating vendors to partner with and creating a new culture inside the company seems a tall mountain to climb.    

Here are a few general steps to help.

Step 1 - Education

  

Basic Understanding:  Find reports, books, and online classes about sustainability in your market.  Some basic literacy will begin to build the foundations of a long term plan. Understanding the concept of a “circular economy” regardless of industry is a great place to start.

Experience it:   Find a conference, visit a company or vendor or better yet travel to another country to experience first-hand sustainability in action.  Experiencing it will change the internal movement from one thought of in your head to one driven by your heart.

Step 2 - Feedback Loops

    

Trade Shows:  Participate in one of your industry’s trade shows.  Bring samples and information on sustainable alternatives.  Gain feedback and insights into offerings.   

Find out How: Educational conferences targeting how to make change in a sustainable direction are increasingly popular.  Taking the time to apply and attend can better organize your movement.

Internal movement:  I have found sustainability aligns with my faith in many different ways.  The commonality each discipline shares allows me to work with increased faith and to bring my faith to work.  

Step 3 - Action Cycle

Internal Authenticity:  A company vision change and genuine actions will show clients and employees the authenticity of the sustainability journey. 

Stretch to Authenticate: Onboarding internal staff through stretch goals wrapped around sustainability energizes the movement.

Selling The New Vision:  Closing the loop through clear marketing helps onboard clients. Your clients are likely wanting to move in a sustainable direction --- consistent messaging gives them a means to do so on their time table.  

 

When it comes to finding sustainability, I have found it to be a unique experience.  There is no one path but rather many paths all leading a movement in the same direction of less emissions and less waste. 

 Find your path and join the movement.

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