The Green Recovery: Book Review

Andrew Winston, author of Green to Gold, has a new book out called the Green Recovery. In his new book he offers a case for why businesses should use this ‘recession’ time to create a green strategy. He cites a number of success stories from Fortune 500 companies such as Wal-Mart, Disney, Microsoft, Toyota and others. The book is short and easy to read. Great book for managers and business owners who haven’t yet started a green and sustainability strategy. Here are a few of Andrew’s recommendations cited in his book:

1. Start with the cheapest option and encourage behavior change from employees such as turning off lights and computers and reducing waste in the office.
2. Automate when possible. If the behavior change is too difficult or cumbersome, automate the process such as with light sensors.
3. Don’t reinvent the wheel.  Review what other companies and competitors are doing. Go to Share Green for a free list of best practices.
4. Provide data to employees. Tracking and sharing data to employees has proven to have strong affect.
5. Be Innovative. The companies that move to solve the world’s problems will be prepared for the future.
6. Engage your employees. Give employees a base of knowledge on environmental issues and their implications for the business and their personal life.

The 7 Leadership Practices by Bob Willard

I had the chance today to hear Bob Willard discussing his new book, The Sustainability Champion’s Guidebook (New Society Publishers). The book is about leading organizations in the sustainability movement. He talks about the 7 Leadership practices essential for moving a company towards sustainability;

1. Get credible, stay credible: Leaders must establish their credibility and build trust with their group and/or organization.
2. Dialogue: Hone in on the communication skills and engage in thoughtful discussions. Be a good listener and be ready to hear about success and challenges.
3. Collaborate, educate, network: Encourage collaboration and education among employees.
4. Influence and influencers: Don’t do it alone, engage those individuals who have influence in an organization and seek their help, guidance and advocacy.
5. Meet them where they are: Don’t push the skeptics, meet them where they are and show how sustainability strategies are important to their job and the organization.
6. Piggyback existing initiatives: Create sustainability initiatives that align with current company goals and objectives.
7. Practice ‘planful opportunism’ : Engage senior leadership in the initiatives.

If you haven’t read it yet, I also suggest Bob’s book called the Sustainability Advantage where he discusses the business case for sustainability.

Book Review: Ecological Intelligence

Daniel Goleman’s the author of Emotional Intelligence has written his new book called Ecological Intelligence. He discusses how consumers can change the world through their ‘ecological intelligence’ by making environmentally and socially conscious purchasing decisions. He reviews various sites such as Good Guide and Skin Deep that help educate consumers about the products we purchase. Not only which products are good for us but products that are good for the environment and made sustainably. He also discusses ‘radical transparency’ which encourages companies to disclose their products contents and manufacturing practises.  A good book for someone who is new to the ‘green’ movement.

Daniel Goleman did a 20 minute interview with Bill Moyers that provides a nice overview of his book.

Thomas Friedman’s “Hot, Flat and Crowded”

If you haven’t read Thomas Friedman’s latest book, Hot, Flat and Crowded…you must get it and read it! Another well-written book by Friedman that explores the Environmental impact has on our Global economy and environment. I especially love the way explores all the effects global warming will have in every aspect of our lives, our economy, our globe.