| Traditionally, at the start of a new year, | | | | only now, consider how each affects society |
| resolutions are tossed about promising exercise or | | | | (both as individuals and a group), financial stability |
| eating habit modifications. There's nothing wrong | | | | (locally and abroad), and the environment. |
| with these, but, honestly, how many are | | | | Remember the phrase, "You can have it good, |
| forgotten by January 3rd? This year, why not | | | | fast, or cheap, but you can only pick two"? Well, |
| make a resolution that's truly achievable, and can | | | | the triple bottom line seeks to provide all three of |
| also benefit yourself, your community, and the | | | | its pillars simultaneously. While good, fast, and |
| planet? | | | | cheap are traditionally difficult to combine, |
| My New Year's resolution is to engage in a variety | | | | sustainable approaches benefiting society, the |
| of sustainable practices throughout the year. | | | | financial well-being of all producers/sellers, and the |
| Ok, so what does that mean? Sure, I'll recycle | | | | environment from production site to sales location |
| what I can, compost foodstuffs, and work to | | | | are achievable. |
| save energy, paper, and other resources, but is | | | | Consider a company's sustainability policies when |
| that really what the resolution is aiming to | | | | making a purchase: Do they support fair wages |
| achieve? Sustainability is about more than just | | | | and social programs throughout the production |
| saving energy or recycling; it's a state of mind. | | | | chain? Are their environmental impacts |
| Now before you run off thinking this writer is off | | | | documented and in the process of being |
| his rocker, take a moment to think about that | | | | minimized? Does their profit in one location |
| claim. As a company, our efforts to help | | | | damage the community in another? Questions |
| businesses become more sustainable | | | | along this line can give consumers a strong idea of |
| encompasses office conservation practices, yes, | | | | how a company views true sustainability. |
| but it also envelops a comprehensive strategy | | | | Along with a quality product/service, a company |
| including business development, marketing, hiring, | | | | with a strong commitment towards sustainability |
| and nearly every other department within the | | | | is likely to thrive. |
| enterprise. Only by incorporating a "triple bottom | | | | For the new year, take these ideas to heart, |
| line" (People, Planet, Profit) mindset into the core | | | | spread them to your friends and family, and help |
| decisions of a company can they aim to become | | | | create a world where the principles of |
| truly sustainable members of society. | | | | sustainability are automatically considered in all |
| How can this concept be transposed into a New | | | | aspects of life. Now that's a New Year's resolution |
| Year's resolution? Simply engage in the same | | | | worth keeping. Sure beats that exercise machine |
| activities you're used to (at home, in the office, | | | | you (be honest) won't use again! |
| out with friends, namely, wherever you may be), | | | | At least until January 2nd, 2011. |