photo credit: DocBudie

There’s no question that consumers are starting to pay attention to eco-friendly companies. With the threats of global warming, over-filled landfills, water shortages, and many other environmental concerns looming on the horizon, some businesses that want to make a difference in the world-and attract a large amount of consumer goodwill-are choosing to go green.

There are plenty of reasons to consider environmental factors when planning for your next exhibit. If your industry is not traditionally linked with environmental movements, having a “green exhibit” is a great way to stand out from the crowd. Add to that the fact that you’re doing your part to make the world a better place, and you’ll feel less guilty for blowing your competition out of the water. Here are ten tips for going green at your next exhibit.

Building a booth? Use eco-friendly materials. If you’re building a custom booth this year, you have several options for greener materials. First, try to avoid wood. The earth’s forests are nearly 80% depleted, and that’s bad news for our atmosphere. Trees breathe in carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen-so they may be our first line of defense against global warming. Leave a few trees standing by choosing another material to build your booth.

One more eco-friendly choice is recycled metal. While this may not seem like the most biodegradable choice, it’s much better than using non-recycled metals. For example, the process of recycling aluminum takes about 95% less energy than it does to create new aluminum from ore. Recycling steel uses about 60% less energy than making it from scratch.

Another option is wood/plastic composite. This building material is made up of sawdust from lumber and furniture companies mixed with fragments of plastic trash, such as soda bottles and garbage bags. There are many different brands, and the wood comes in colors ranging from deep ambers to espresso browns-as beautiful as natural wood, without the environmental price tag.

Consider your paints. Oil and latex-based paints are toxic to the environment-they contain poisonous chemicals that can’t be removed at a treatment plant. Leftover paint is often poured down the drain, and it gets into oceans and waterways. It also leaches from painted items in landfills, further damaging the environment. Even worse, VOC’s-volatile organic chemicals, such as cyanide-in paint evaporate at room temperature, contributing to global warming while coating your booth.

Instead of traditional paints, look for non-VOC paints made by big-name paint manufacturers such as Sherman Williams and Behr. Other eco-friendly paints are made from talcum powder, clay, and chalk.

Get green giveaways. When looking for a good giveaway item, choose with an eye toward minimizing trash. Avoid items that come in plastic packaging. Avoid plastic altogether, in fact, unless it’s recycled. Good ideas include cotton or hemp tote bags, food in recycled-paper wrapping instead of plastic, recycled plastic Frisbees, pens and other items, and ceramic mugs. Stay away from plastic bags, wood, and non-recycled materials.

Use energy-efficient lighting. Incandescent light bulbs are notoriously inefficient. They emit only 10% of the energy they use as light. The rest is given off as heat-which is why these bulbs can catch your lampshade on fire if you’re not careful. Instead, use fluorescent bulbs. These are much more energy efficient.

Use recycled paper. There are a lot of paper products involved in a typical exhibit: business cards, signs and displays, brochures and promotional materials. Why not use recycled paper? While most people think of rough, textured and off-white paper when it comes to buying recycled, there are many companies that make smooth, bright-white papers that are comparable to virgin papers.

Consider green printing. Some inks can be as toxic as paint. You can go green with your printing by choosing a green printer. Not all are created equally; their commitment to green printing can range from using energy-efficient operating procedures to printing with soy-based inks on recycled papers. Be sure to shop around when looking for eco-friendly printers.

Talk to your vendor. Some booth vendors are more eco-friendly than others. Some may operate under environmentally mindful conditions-using alternative energy and energy-efficient practices, for example-while others may have pre-fabricated booths built from eco-friendly materials. Be sure to ask your vendor for more advice on how you can create a green display for your next exhibit.

Going green doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. While you may have to buy a custom booth to go green, recycled and eco-friendly materials sometimes cost less than their non-recycled alternatives. Talk to your vendor, research your options, and take your time in designing an approach to green exhibiting that works for your company. No matter how far you go with it-from using recycled papers to building an entire booth from eco-friendly materials-you’ll be making a positive contribution.

G Green is director at http://www.justdisplays.co.uk/ based in Essex, UK. For a wide range of information on producing exhibition stands including a range of folding panel stands visit http://www.justdisplays.co.uk/folding.asp

photo credit: pfala

Many “environmentally correct” mutual funds are available, but many are not making much money. Yet they do have a bit of a following, which is good to see, unfortunately it appears many are not good business models and taking total advantage of the Green Media Hype, without making a profit or even providing that much “green” or environmental assistance to the reality of pollution.

Perhaps this article will help me illustrate my point: In the Napa Valley, CA Register:

Green business is a highly underrated opportunity for small business.The exploding opportunities for entrepreneurs continues to be in organic products, trash and recycling of garbage, and marketing to the “green lifestyle” clientele. So why is green in these days, and why do we know have an ever-expanding $280 billion green industry? One reason is the growing number of regulations that push our industries and communities to leave less of a “carbon footprint.” California has led the way with the passage of Assembly Bill 32 or the Global Warming Solutions Act, which mandates that the state lower its global warming emissions to 1990 levels by 2002.

So, it seems politicians are once again giving away money and of course, there are entrepreneurs lining up to take it, take it for all its worth. If all these companies were legitimate that is fine, but even this carbon-credit scheme, is questionable, as it gives folks that were never going to pollute in the first place, free money. You know, it just seems like a big Enron type trading scheme again, this time sanctioned by the government.

In the end all these carbon credits will act as a tax on all of society, raising cost of living, and who gets hurt? The poor who are working to make it to the middle class, which will be hurt worse. People and companies should not pollute because it is the right thing to do, not because someone is paying them, bribing then and giving them free money, our money, the taxpayer? We need to pay attention to what is going on here in the name of the environment, the Nobel Peace Prize Recipients and a huge contingency of Vulture Capitalists and their backers.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

photo credit: MK Media Productions

Adopting environmentally-friendly business practices has become more than a passing trend – companies and organizations are rapidly learning the importance and benefit of becoming green. Not only will you do your part to encourage and support eco-friendly habits, but you may just find you have more greenback in your wallet by going green.

Recycle and Reduce

Take a good look at what your company consumes and see what (if anything) can be recycled and reduced in use. Recycle all paper products, bags, and cardboard, and other applicable business products. Try and print less and communicate electronically whenever possible.

Reduce Emissions

One of the biggest contributors to global warming is emissions from vehicles. Encourage employees to carpool. Allow them to work from home a couple times a day or work a 10-hour 4 day week to reduce gasoline consumption and emissions.

Power Down

Turn off your computer and other office electronics at the end of the day. The EPA estimates that simple act can save nearly $75 every year.

Recycled Products

When you can, purchase recycled products or those with the “post-consumer” waste seal. If you’re a retailer, sell organic or environmentally-friendly products.

Go Paperless

If you send out statements or invoices to customers, offer them the option of electronic notification and direct debit payment or automatic bill pay.

Replace High-Energy Fixtures

Use CFL light bulbs and upgrade your old equipment to more energy efficient models.

Get Some Fresh Air

If you can, open your windows to get fresh air instead of turning on the air conditioner.

photo credit: Larsz

Whether or not you believe global warming could be the end of civilization, there are other compelling reasons to take action to be environmentally friendly in your business. Respect for the planet and life all around you is the most basic of those reasons, but here are three others: it will reduce your costs, increase your efficiency, and add to your USP (unique selling position).

By following the familiar reduce, reuse, and recycle mantra you can save financially, which will allow you to invest more into growing your business or free up family finances.

You can increase your efficiency and get more organized by making small “green” changes such as printing less. For example, fewer piles of overflowing paper will make it easier to keep that working space clean and uncluttered so you can stay focused.

Sharing that you care, whether it’s about the planet, the people, or some other angle, or some other cause entirely, helps you connect with your market and become more “real” than just a hidden person behind a faceless website. It’s okay to allow your personality and passions to shine through your website and marketing. In fact, it’s smart marketing!

So with those benefits in mind, here are some small steps you can take to make your business greener:

1) Reduce the amount of paper you use. Before you print, think. Do you *really* need to print out that email or document? If you just need a backup copy, pick up an inexpensive USB thumb drive and use it to save copies of important files.

2) Reuse and recycle. Keep a small box or tray for paper that you’ve printed on but no longer need and announce to your children that they are welcome to color, paint, cut, etc with the paper. Kids don’t mind recycled paper and some really creative projects can result from paper that’s already been used.

3) Buy EnergyStar appliances. Watch the energy usage on any appliances you purchase–computers, sergers, sewing machines–whatever tools are required for your trade. Always turn them off when not in use.

4) Go paperless for billing. Many business models easily lend themselves to e-billing. If yours does, do it. It will save you not only paper/envelopes, but also time and postage. Bills get where they need to go quicker, too.

5) Use organic, recycled and/or natural elements. If you’ve got choices in the materials you use, take a few minutes to research your options. You may be pleasantly surprised by the range of choices available.

6) Choose reusable. Instead of notebooks and paper for your to do lists, consider a dry erase board or go to a digital online version. Try Google Calendar instead of a paper planner. If your products require certain materials during the production process, can you use something reusable instead of disposable?

7) Buy in bulk. You’ll save time as well as trips back and forth to the store if you purchase in bulk.

Change your lighting. Open the windows in your home office or working area and enjoy the beautiful, natural light! Replace your old style light bulbs with energy-saving fluorescent bulbs to save energy and reduce your electric bill.

9) Choose a VA (virtual assistant) instead of an in-person assistant. Work with employees or contractors who work from their homes and you’ll help save the gas and emissions from cars driving back and forth as well gain as many, many other benefits.

10) Combine errands and schedule meetings selectively. Can you do them all on one day? Fewer trips in your car are better. If you can eliminate some errands by having the USPS carrier (who’s already driving by) pick up packages or meeting with clients via Skype instead of in-person, consider it.

11) Buy Green Tags. With green tags you can compensate for your CO2 usage. I purchase mine through Green Tags USA.

12) Go 100% Replanted. Through Replant Trees you can have trees planted to make up for your paper usage.

13) Choose your packaging materials carefully. You can find green packing materials starting at sustainablepackaging.org Recycle or reuse when feasible.

14) Deliver your products digitally. Can you offer a digital version of your products? How about offering your patterns as a PDF download? Or a PDF ebook option of your printable book? Encourage the digital options. Check out e-junkie.com for an easy way to sell digital items online.

15) Sell locally. No need for shipping if you sell to local customers. Try craft shows or farmers markets if they fit your products. You can find listings online at Indie Craft Guide or Indie Craft Shows. Depending on your products you could also work out discounts or commission based deals with tourist shops, museums, locally owned bookstores and other businesses or organizations in your local area.

16) Support green businesses. Does your webhost power their servers with green energy? Does your printer offer recycled paper for brochures or business cards? Look for ways to support other businesses who are making an effort to be green.

17) Share your commitment! Several websites (EcoFirms, EcoBusinessLinks, Green People, Coop America, and others) maintain link directories of eco-aware businesses. Add yours if you’re taking action steps to be earth friendly.

Work at home mom extraordinaire Michelle Shaeffer publishes The Muses Brainstorm, a weekly ezine with tips to help you balance, manage, and market your home based business. If you’re ready for inspirational guidance and bright ideas sign up free at http://www.thesmallbusinessmuse.com

photo credit: j.reed

There are a lot of network marketing opportunities with today’s diverse niche products, services, marketing medium, technology and even scientific discoveries.

Health products are the pioneer network marketing opportunity. Marketing supplemental foods of Forever Living is one. Low calorie beers and fortified foods also offer similar opportunity, but they already are in public groceries. They do not require network marketing anymore.

Two network marketing opportunities are vegetables and environment products.

Not that there is a growing market of vegetarians, but vegetables are just the best health food. They really need to be in all household tables because they have the complete nutrients. Fruits even just come in second and nutrient-fortified processed foods are not complete healthy foods.

Do not market mere vegetables but fresh organic vegetables. Thus, companies should foremost organize production of fresh organic vegetables. Companies should grow vegetables without the harmful pesticides and inorganic fertilizers. Moreover, they should have quality storage and fast delivery facilities to keep vegetables fresh in the market. Companies could also contract quality-controlled production to many local vegetable growers. The group of vegetable growers can instantly be the companies’ additional network of distributors.

Companies should campaign along vegetarians. They can rally for vegetarian lifestyles. They can join social networks of vegetarian, which widely thrive now in the internet.

Environment or green products are the next network marketing opportunity. Not that the market is large, but the need to cut our carbon prints and avert global warming are high. Companies should produce now environment-friendly products. Much like in vegetable growing, companies should now do away with pesticides and inorganic fertilizers because they pollute the air and water resources. They even decrease soil fertility that later will limit food production.

I-Am-Not-A-Plastic-Bag bags are one of the famous green products. They eventually replaced non-biodegradable plastic grocery bags. It went out massively just through the internet and online social networks. Now, it reaches even Asia. The growing groups of environmentalists facilitated its quick spread.

Public markets and groceries are widely present everywhere, but an exclusive vegetable and green store is yet not too visible. It might be good to have one.

Here’s to your success.
Rivers Corbett
CoFounder – MLMOutlaws

Want to discover the truth behind how thousands are developing their network marketing business online? Click http://www.mlmoutlaws.com to discover the technique which helps pay you while you are building your business!

photo credit: epredator

In this new world of eco-consciousness, concern of global warming, home business and entrepreneurship, a gourmet treasury of backyard mini-farm opportunities are being born. They range from substantial extra streams of income to full-time income, and from rooftops, even apartments (!) to farms on small acreage. Out of the ashes of the farming disaster in the 1980s came a new form of organic small acreage or backyard farm, the “micro eco-farm.” The Center for the Micro Eco-Farming Movement, there are reports of angora rabbits being raised in apartments, organic herb gardens in backyards selling herbal crafts over the internet, miniature sheep, miniature dairy cows, organic flower farms on small acreage, heirloom vegetable farms on small acreage, garlic farms on small acreage, flower seed farms from backyards, and the list goes on.

Often, they are matched with a home cottage industry, such as spinning wool products from the angora rabbits’ wool or teaching cooking classes on the heirloom vegetable farm.

While most of these home businesses are farms from backyards to small acreages, some of these very small farms are within bigger farms. One operates a full time business from two acres, but lives on a 130 acre farm. Another’s husband farms huge acreage owned by a corporate farm, but their own seven acres hosts her full time business of growing beautiful herb and flower gardens, growing unusual bedding plants and making gifts from her garden crops for sale in her on-farm gift shop, and hosting weddings and other special events on the farm.

Here’s how it works.

In the 80s, as just one example, hundreds of smaller dairy farmers had to go out of business. Cows were injected with hormones to produce massive amounts of milk, and wholesale prices got so cheap, smaller dairy farms just couldn’t earn enough from sales anymore. It was get big or get out. Each cow cost more to keep than what was returned. Plus, many of those who used to see milk as nature’s most wholesome food began to question its health, and sales dropped even further.

So, how would a micro eco-dairy farm today make money with five cows on a little more than five acres? They raise the cows organically or certified naturally grown on green pasture (the health benefits of this to humans are well-documented, and astounding). With that milk, they handcraft artisan cheese, and sell this premium product often retail to upscale markets for eager buyers seeking healthy, humanely raised, grass-fed artisan cheese… cheese in which customers can even name the cows it came from! The cost to keep each cow is returned many times over. Times have changed. Today, hand-tending, handcrafting and allowing customers to reconnect with animals and nature don’t work for large-scale agribusinesses, but they work for smaller parcels and have an eager market waiting.

For more information about these family-friendly home businesses that help rejuvenate the earth and our connection to it, visit the Center for the Micro Eco-Farming Movement at Micro Eco-Farming

http://www.MicroEcoFarming.com

photo credit: CD_Photo

Have you ever wanted to start your own home based business, and go green in the process? Each day we hear how much we contribute to green house gases and global warming. The daily commute to work, with the carbon dioxide emissions from our automobiles, is just one of the contributing factors.

The consumption of energy involved in running a traditional brick and mortar business can be drastically reduced by starting a home based business.

Here are a few green benefits by working from home.

Measuring Your Carbon Footprint

Energy costs are reduced by 30% with a home based business according to the experts. Install energy efficient LED light bulbs. Use as many recycled products for your home office as possible.

The most attractive home business is where most, if not all of your work is done online. If you were to start an online business such as online marketing, you can go green by reducing the consumption of paper.

Online marketing allows you to operate the business through the use of a website. This eliminates the cost of paper for invoices, newsletters, and marketing messages. All your communications are now through email, and a marketing tool called an auto responder. An auto responder permits you to deliver frequent and timely messages to your customers or prospects.

Cost Reductions By Going Green

Have you ever considered the cost of clothing when you work outside the home? A home business will allow you to work in your pajamas if you so choose.

Since you no longer have that daily commute, and you are going green, think of the cash savings on gasoline. Not only can you leave your car parked most of the time, but if you do travel, consider it a business deduction.

By working at home, your meal cost is reduced. You may decide to go out for lunch, but many find it easier, and cheaper, to eat at home.

Going Green And Earning Green

Convinced that working at home helps save the planet, how will you decide which business best suites your needs? By now you understand some of the benefits of an online marketing business. Marketing online can reach millions with your product or service.

You can expect a learning curve with online marketing, but as you begin to utilize the various techniques and methods of marketing, your financial returns can be very rewarding.

Most home businesses require an up front investment. The key in selecting the right business depends on your research. Choose a business you will enjoy, and treat it as a business, not a hobby.

Look for a company offering a good training program for their products. Training is vital in learning how to market online. Along with training from the company, seek the help of a mentor, or coach. It is no fun to try something new on your own. Have someone with experience in the aspect of marketing show you the ropes.

In conclusion, our concern for the environment continues to grow. Do your part in helping to save energy. Starting a home-based business with the idea of going green will make a lasting contribution to our society.

Author: Jerry Gibbs is an internet marketer with a strong desire to coach and train others toward their individual success.

If you want to make money online, visit Jerry’s Perfect Wealth Formula website.

photo credit: OakleyOriginals

With everyone and their mother jumping onto the Green Movement bandwagon, words like Organic, Natural, Safe, are tossed around like water balloons at a county fair. If you’re the one catching the balloon, make sure it doesn’t unexpectedly go SPLAT all over you. The key to successfully navigating the New Green World and knowing whether you are purchasing safe, healthy and nutritious products is having a solid understanding of how to read the labels, and what the words Organic and Natural really mean.

Fertilizer Increases Yields

Widespread, frequent and excessive use of synthetic organophosphate fertilizers began in the 1930s, when such fertilizers became affordable and accessible to the masses. Food production quickly increased as a result of fertilizer use. Unfortunately, the effects of widespread organophosphates would not be realized for many years. It takes much longer for synthetic chemicals to break down, and by the 1950s and 1960s, phosphates from the overuse of fertilizers clogged streams, lakes, rivers and deltas, causing algal blooms and other environmental problems.

Silent Spring Arouses Concern

The publication of Silent Spring in 1962, focused attention on the toxicity of chemical pesticides, and by extension, the practices of chemical companies producing synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Before Carson’s book, the general public was not well aware of such problems with modern agricultural practices. Once published, the book sparked a movement by government officials and the public to ban DDT and scrutinize production, labeling and distributing of pesticides and fertilizers.

Silent Spring marked the beginning of awareness for government officials about the harmful nature of broad, indiscriminate use of synthetic chemicals. Baby steps were taken in the direction of better pesticide and herbicide regulation. Until pressured in the 1970s and 1980s by environmental groups and everyday grocery-shoppers, there were few regulations in place to prevent wholesale dumping of synthetic fertilizer and pesticides all over the food marketed to consumers. European farmers led the way in bringing natural farming methods and organic farming mainstream.

Government Takes Over Organics

The USDA began its Organic labeling program in 2002. The program has different levels, all of which can be confusing if you don’t read the fine print. The Green Movement trend has exploded exponentially since 2006, when An Inconvenient Truth, a film about global warming featuring Al Gore was released. Suddenly, everyone wanted on the Green bandwagon and now the wagon is mighty crowded. Green is the new Gold. Green business practices or at least the insinuation of green business practices, results in higher revenues for multi-national companies.

Safe, Natural Products

With Green becoming little more than a marketing label, how can consumers know what is really safe to eat, or nutritious for the body? When growing your own produce, how can you tell if a fertilizer is helpful or harmful? Just as synthetic chemical companies marketed heavily to farmers, companies producing clothing, food, and cosmetics clamor to have the official organic seal on their products. They claim everything possible to be Natural. To cut the wheat from the chaff, several resources explain the mysteries behind the labels and marketing claims and help consumers make beneficial and healthy choices.

The Mayo Clinic website debunks some of the myths about organic versus natural versus nutrition in food products: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255

The website www.safe-fertilizer-reviews.com contains information, reviews and survey results about natural fertilizers-or fertilizers that are not man-made.

The USDA website with information on the Organic Program is: www.ams.usda.gov/nop
There, you can read the fine print.

Proactive Consuming

The key to finding, purchasing and growing the healthiest produce with the least impact on the earth is understanding the meaning of natural and organic, and using that knowledge when making product purchasing decisions. Together, as earth-conscious consumers, we can make sure that the Green Business Claims made by mass-marketers are truly beneficial to health and to the earth.

Natural Fertilizer Guy started the website http://www.safe-fertilizer-reviews.com in order to provide gardeners, homeowners and landscapers with the tools and information they need to make informed, environmentally responsible purchases for gardening.

Natural fertilizers and Seaweed fertilizers are Natural Fertilizer Guy’s area of expertise. Each fertilizer reviewed on the site has been tested by Natural Fertilizer Guy, and has proved to increase plant growth as much, if not more than conventional, synthetic fertilizers.

For more information on natural fertilizers and seaweed fertilizers, please visit http://www.safe-fertilizer-reviews.com

photo credit: Orin Optiglot

Everyone is concerned about the effects of global warming and protecting our environment, and avoiding the dangers posed by the continued abuse of the environment. Individuals and businesses are finding ways to be more environmentally conscious. The buzzword on being proactive for the environment is Green.

Go green with your business promoting. Show your customers that you are as concerned about conserving natural resources and protecting the environment as they are. Show them your willingness to do your part to reduce the amount of waste you create that ends up in land fills and adds further harm to natural resources and our environment.

No one who is in business would argue against the need for you to promote your business to be successful. They are under the same pressure as you to promote their businesses well in order to be successful and prosperous. Promotional mugs are the perfect and affordable way to promote your business while also demonstrating the green consciousness of your business.

The trees which filter pollutants from the air are cut down in disastrous numbers to make paper products like paper cups for coffee drinkers. Saplings are planted to replace the trees that are cut down to make paper and other products but it can take many years for a sapling to reach full maturity. Meanwhile, our environment is further compromised by pollutants because there are not enough mature trees to filter these pollutants from the air.

The rubbish created by paper products leeches unwanted manufacturing chemicals into soil and groundwater. It also overwhelms municipal resources for the retrieval and disposal of that rubbish. That is certainly not a green activity by today’s standards. Trees are not cut down for use in the making of promotional mugs. Go green in the name of saving vital tree numbers, making less rubbish that needs disposing of, and in the name of promoting your business in the best light. Do this by offering your customers and employees the better- for -the -environment alternative to paper cups for drinking coffee. Give them promotional mugs to drink their java from.

Promote your business in the glowing green light of integrity and customer respect with promotional mugs. You may be surprised to learn, but promotional mugs are actually a very affordable way to promote your business with. You can get ceramic, glass, and metal, promotional mugs for business promoting and gifting at very low prices. Rest assured that the low prices of these promotional mugs are not a reflection of their quality. On the contrary, these promotional mugs are made only with the most durable and highest quality materials.

Promotional mugs can promote your business beyond your customers. Promotional mugs can generate prospects for your business, and encourage them to consider you first when looking for the goods or services provided by your business. Promotional mugs are not difficult to tote around with you to give away when the possibility for earning a new prospect for your business pops up. A promotional conference bag would be perfect for toting your promotional mugs with you where you go. A promotional conference bad promotes your business even before you give a promotional mug to someone to take home. They also permit enough added space to carefully wrap and protect your promotional mugs.

Go green with your business promoting. Become environmentally proactive by using promotional mugs in place a paper drinking cups. This will show your customers your concern for the environment and your willingness to help protect it. Use promotional mugs to successfully promote your business the green way and an increase in greenbacks will find their way into your financial account.

Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet.com, the UK’s leading online promotional mugs and printed mugs supplier based in the north of England.

photo credit: Wonderlane

Social and environmental issues play a greater role in consumer and B2B choices than ever before. The “Green” movement was on the fringes of mainstream culture just a few years ago. Today, global warming, eco-sensitivity, fair trade and sustainability are issues that can have a tremendous impact on businesses of all sizes. A relatively new marketing model — the triple bottom line — offers businesses of all sizes an opportunity to create sustainable businesses that benefit people, the plan and corporate profits.

While the traditional marketing model’s success is typically judged by increased revenue, there is a new approach adopted by companies who want to become sustainable businesses. The triple bottom line – economic, social and environmental – creates a framework for marketers to use their knowledge of customer attitudes about sustainability and environmental issues to inform and influence a company’s external communications and executive-level decision-making. As communicators within an organization, technology marketers play a lead role in the triple bottom line process, acting as the touch point between the business and its customers.

What Is the Triple Bottom Line?

The triple bottom line refers to an accounting model in which environmental and social considerations are measured along with financial performance. The concept shifts corporate responsibility from shareholders’ profits to stakeholders’ interests. In other words, the triple bottom line focuses on anyone who is affected by an organizations decisions, rather than focusing on investors.

Because it includes social, economic and environmental considerations, the triple bottom line’s goal is sustainability. Socially, a triple bottom line organization is characterized by fair business practices that benefit many stakeholders while exploiting none. Economically, the “profits” from the triple bottom line, including clean air, improved safety, clean water, etc., are shared by the society, as well as internal corporate profits that keep the business running. Environmentally, a triple bottom line organization works to reduce its carbon footprint and be responsible for the entire life cycle of its products.

Pros and Cons of the Triple Bottom Line

In addition to the apparent ecological benefits of sustainable corporate practices, proponents of the triple bottom line cite the following arguments:

- Untapped market potential, such as eco-tourism, offer profitable business opportunities

- Providing sun ovens and wind-powered generators create triple bottom line opportunities

Many organizations agree that social and environmental concerns are very important, but they disagree with the ‘Triple Bottom Line’ as the way to improve these conditions for the following reasons:

- Business best serves society when it is engaged in its core competency (i.e. making widgets). The triple bottom line diverts business from its core competency.

- Wealthy nations are concerned with the social and environmental issues while the rest of the world is more concerned with starvation.

- Businesses should not be forced to be stewards of the environment.

Conclusion

While the green movement continues to gain momentum, many businesses have voluntarily adopted triple bottom line models for sustainability. As consumers and other stakeholders become more aware of the impact of an organization’s business practices on their daily lives, the demand for greater corporate responsibility will grow and more companies will adopt practices to support the triple bottom line.

http://www.mclellancreative.com