I wish I could take about a week to give business people an introduction to Green business practices. Environmentalism has become an immense diversity of issues, and even scaling down to the parts that apply to business leaves enough information to fill a truckload of books. Even the dedicated environmental professional will need to spend a great deal of time to master the concepts that apply to business.
Add to that the challenges and demands of running a business, and it is easy to understand why taking a business Green is frankly beyond the resources of most businesses. It is a practical matter of necessity. The needful chores and obligations of business are back breaking. How can you fit an elephant of environmental challenges into a coffee cup of available time? That is why most businesses are forced into a token form of environmental contributions. The solution is not squeezing another load of duties onto an overworked staff.
The smart answer is that the Green transition of a business is best accomplished by bringing on a Green consultant as the outsourced expert that brings a carefully crafty plan to move the business to a Green operation. This professional can make sense of a very confusing subject by stepping the business through the best ideas for that company. Businesses outsource a variety of tasks rather than trying to pay for an internal staff member that will cost a great deal more in salary, benefits, and health care. For a fixed price, a Green consultant will provide an year-long process that will move the business toward a successful GCI Green Building certification.
Other programs can make the Greening process far more costly, complex, and over-reaching. Frankly, why are bike racks and proximity to public transportation part of the Green business formula. While they may be good ideas and help in the greater world issues, they do little to improve the health and operation of the business and its employees. Are Green roofs the singular "Best Idea" for each and every business? If you listened to some narrow-thinking advisers, it would seem so.
In fact, there are hundreds of ideas (small and sizable) that may be applied to a business, and we know that no two Green plans are exactly alike. The businesses differ in their practice, budget, and geography. It is also important to understand that Going Green is a progressive effort that cannot be accomplished in a once-forever approach. New innovations, new revelations, and new ideas are emerging month by month. The Green consultant is therefore the Ad Hoc expert bringing the best Green ideas to the table for consideration.
The last concern for Green business transition is the cost of the changes required. To be honest, getting some Green certification can be a $25,000 entry fee and a $250,000+ ultimate investment. There are elite and pretentious services that ask for more exorbitant fees to take your business Green. However, it is also very possible to take your company Green for a few thousand dollars. Spread the cost over a year, and the process becomes affordable and less intrusive.
To find out how earn your Green Consultant certification, visit the Green Business League website. Courses are offered in several major cities in four-day sessions. These classes are powerful and part of a national network of Green consultants. Check out the curriculum and consider if you are ready to start one of the most innovative businesses in the country.
Ready to start a Green program in your business? Check with our team to host a Green Awareness seminar, or to install a Green Management program that will earn your business the coveted GCI Green Building certification.
Michael Richmond is the director of the Green Clean Institute, key trainer the Green Clean Consultant program, and chief adviser for the Green Business League.
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