For the past year I have worked for a retail company that is Leeds certified in many of its locations.  If you don’t know what that is, check your wiki leads, library and the EPA.  Retail is very humbling and eye opening at the same time.  You really get an insight into new/other ways of thinking and through some self examination, a new perspective on human nature, ethics, theft, technology, and the need to preserve the environment and be sustainable.  So, what does this all mean?

It becomes evident we may be technologically astute, and I know I have worked with younger colleagues who have a thorough and comfortable grasp on the latest technology to avoid human contact and dialog.  I have witnessed the best “drive by” communications one could imagine and some of the worst cases of honesty and integrity.  Seriously, why would you steal hand cream, a wiffle ball, or socks?  And, I can’t believe people will wear old athletic shoes, try on new ones, put the old ones in the box and walk out with the new ones.  I guess I was brought up differently.  I believe my standards are higher and I am slowly losing my faith in humanity.

You might wonder how this ties into the bigger picture of the ecosystem and the interactions of products and resources.  There is a connection in the way we all look at the environment in which we live.  Are we all thinking short term and feel that our individual actions have minimal impact?  Are we like the Occupy Wall Streeters who really haven’t articulated what they want while they protest in their high priced North Face coats and Columbiaj ackets while they camp out sleeping in their high tech -45 degree Marmot sleeping bags?  There seems to be a disconnection in their direction and their cause.

Let’s transcend into the bigger game.  In order for you, for your company, to sustain growth may mean you need to operate smaller, with minimal wastes, with a smaller carbon footprint and a restoration which includes giving more than using.  Many companies are now paying more for forest restoration for lumber they use.  But, shouldn’t they be paying less.  Shouldn’t those companies who are replenishing their resources receive incentives?  Shouldn’t farmers who raise unaltered grains and beef receive a tax break?  Farmers all know you can only fertilize the land a limited number of times before the soil is worthless and will not support vegetation.  They also know you are able to alter animal growth for a limited number of times before the animal becomes sterile, or worse, has offspring which are mutant and genetically deficient.  There are many people aware of this but apparently it isn’t at the forefront of their thinking.  There is way too much focus onthe Kardasians, or any other of the myriad of “reality” programs.

The reality of our very existence and the existence of profitable, ethical, visionary companies who are concerned about sustainability is critical.  Organizations that do not take the leadership role in protecting and preserving the environment to ensure they can sustain their capital growth will find themselves on a metaphorical burning platform.  They will find themselves in a position where the choice will be to burn to death or to jump off and change everything they do or perish.  The choice seems clear.

You and your organization can try through little steps, such as localized recycling.  Overall, this is a nice start but on a small basis it’s like trying to bail out the Titanic with a teaspoon.  Organizations need to take exponential leaps and invert their thinking.  It’s not too late to ensure you have a supporting climate for growth, for prosperity, for the future of your organization and more importantly for your prodigy. Or, you can steal the hand cream, the balls, and the shoes and eventually run around barefoot with no toys, looking for a safe place to live.  Click on this link to learn more about sustainabilty -> What is sustainability?

Posted by Peter Samardak on Mon, Jan 02, 2012 @ 09:28 PM

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

About the author

Peter Samardak