Welcome to SmartGreenBusiness.com, the official blog site for the recent release of Smart Green: How to Implement Sustainable Practices in Any Industry—And Make Money. The purpose of the site is to continue the discussion of many of the themes presented in the book and to open new dialogues on emerging issues related to sustainability among individuals, corporations, non-profits, and the public sector. Among a variety of features of the site, most the topics presented weekly will focus on four key areas: Strategic Planning, Sustainability, Analytics, and Case Studies.

Strategic Planning. As organizations begin the process of thinking about sustainability, they may be struggling with where to start and what resources are available to gain insights for the shortest path, best practices, and results-oriented planning processes that take into account the triple bottom-line of social equity, environmental stewardship, and profitability.  This topic will introduce steps, processes, and examples of how to get started with sustainability strategic planning.

Sustainability. The dimensions of sustainable development are so broad that this site cannot possibly address them all.  What I plan to provide are examples of mission statements, planning processes, key ideas for creating a new sustainable economic model, challenges facing leaders during this period of rapid transition and how to overcome them.

Analytics. One of the most important advances in recent years for helping companies become more successful and competitive is the development of business intelligence.  Data alone will not provide the answers to success, but asking better questions and the use of analytics tools will help tremendously.  Combining the power of analytics with the vast amounts of information being collected for sustainability outcomes will be discussed and demonstrated.

Case Studies. None of the discussions will make sense without having real companies, real people, and real problems being addressed.  Periodically, a company or organization will have a sustainability initiative examined for implications, spending, ROI, payback period, innovations, and mindset change.  Any organization and leader should be able to benefit from the examples and the dialogue that follows.

Other features of the site will include an annotated list of resources covering organizations and websites that support companies desiring to become sustainable; books, white papers, and reports that provide benchmarking information and key trends to be aware of; tools for businesses to utilize for measuring, reporting, or planning for sustainability; and articles either written by me in other publications or those that I find that strikes me as immediately relevant.

I am very excited about the monthly Podcast, “Envision Smart Green” which debuts this week with the T-shirt printing company, TS Designs in Burlington, NC.  Each broadcast will focus on insights into what leaders in a variety of organizations are thinking and doing in relation to sustainable practice.  Far from being yet another video on how to go green or new green products, “Envision Smart Green” zooms in on the mindset change and specific strategies for achieving organizational goals while implementing sustainable practices.

I am looking forward to working and communicating with you advancing sustainability into the fabric of our lives, businesses, and communities.