More On Sustainable Business Practices
Sunday, March 30th, 2008Recently, I was presented with the question: Do I think sustainable business practices are a trend?
Here’s what I think:
Trends in business are often cyclically driven by the momentum of the market(s), technological advancements and social/global issues of any given time period. At some point, a trend either dies (thus defining it as such) or it starts to become recognized as a period, possibly revolutionary, which will undoubtedly show aggressive new changes in the way our world conducts business. At some point, generally the moment where we question a trend, companies better be analyzing their ideologies and best practices so they are prepared for change.
Businesses around the world have been practicing sustainability for years-many simply driven by their own passionate employees wanting to do more than just recycle or conserve energy on a personal level. In fact, the article in which I was quoted speaks to one of our best environmental stewards, The Brick Companies, who has signed an environmental charter and has been practicing many sustainable initiatives for years. I use The Brick Companies, by example, as one company that has far surpassed the idea of sustainable practice as a trend. Environmental stewardship is part of their everyday business and culture.
Of course, there are also many businesses who are just starting to analyze their practices. I applaud these companies for starting to put a long term plan in place. There are also many businesses that could be considered as using “the trend” to market themselves and their growth. One might say they are jumping on the wagon. I applaud them, too. They will quickly realize, and like, how it improves their businesses-even if they jumped on with an initial haste.
The point I make is this: Sustainable business (on a global level) might be considered a trend, or at least it may have started as one. But it is quickly becoming a period that will be remembered much like the industrial or technological revolution. And it is quickly surpassing the definition of a trend. Many may argue that it never was a trend due to its globality, or that it has long surpassed said status (upon the release of ‘An Inconvenient Truth’).
For now, I’m still comfortable calling it a trend when asked as I believe our world has a lot of work to still do on this issue. I should add that many companies are moving quickly to better the earth and surpass this notion of trend. I’m pleased to say we’re beginning to make our own strides at Orange Element, too.
And, if it is a trend, I believe it is one that is here to stay. And one about which I am very excited.
Aaron Moore







