why your business should get into it and what you can do · greenwashing fatigue . assessments...

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Why your business should get

into it and what you can do

Chris Lemoine

Washburn Communication

“Marketing”

“Green”

“Sustainability” “Triple bottom line.” Practices,

products, or services that contribute

to lasting, positive impact in three

areas: environmental, economic,

social.

Related to the environmental impact

of goods, services, activities, or

organizations

How your company talks about itself

in communications with employees,

customers, and business partners

Economic

Environmental

Social • Better preparation for shortages

• More equitable resource access

• Healthier environment

• Reduced impact

• Improved stewardship

• Climate change mitigation

• Time and money saved

• Process efficiencies

• Increased productivity

Sustainability

Environmental concerns are ubiquitous

Emotional benefits for people

Efficiencies and cost reductions

Creativity and goodwill

Environmental benefits

Building your brand

Increased customer readiness

Increased regulation and definition

Stronger convictions

Many good and bad examples

Greenwashing fatigue

Assessments

Inventory

Champions

Three parallel

activities

Sustainability initiatives by competitors and

companies in your industry

Formal or informal poll of employees,

customers, trading partners

Tracking your findings

Possible

starting points

for a

sustainability

practice

• Current products or services with

a green aspect

• Business travel, commuting,

company fleet

• Electricity and lights

• Paper, printing, ink

• Heat and air conditioning

• Elevator, escalator, automatic

doors

• Recycling and composting

• Reusable tableware and dishes

• Onsite evaluation by utilities

• Property owner’s initiatives

• Company or employee

participation in nonprofits

Company reputation and expectations

Public conversations

Past track record

Possible conflicts

Regulation

Executives

Business groups

Enthusiasts Committed supporters with a lot of

energy

People from across the company’s

lines of business.

At least one C-level person should

be available to represent the effort

internally and externally.

Sustainability steering committee

Goals

Communications

Momentum

Four simultaneous

tracks

Message

Realistic

Meaningful

Meet triple bottom line criteria

Repeatable

Documented

Aligned with mission and brand

Relevant to employees, customers, partners

Concise and complete

Memorable and compelling

Versatile

Audiences:

• Employees

• Business customers

• Consumers

• Business partners

• Investors

• Analysts

• Nonprofits

• Community

• Media

Channels:

• Website

• Social media

• TV and radio

• Print

• PR

• Newsletters

• Events

• Volunteer work

• Extranet

Requirements

• Consistent

• Authentic

• Credible

• Flexible

• Efficient

• Affordable

• Repeatable

Offer involvement

Visibility

Expand

CC

Connect

• Customer advisory board

• Industry and green events

• Nonprofit sponsoring or spinoff

• Employees’ continuing education

• Support personal efforts by employees

and customers

• Network with peers

• Mentor individuals and organizations

• Share your experience and show leadership

• Update the brand

• Communicate tangible, meaningful results

• Other business groups

• New products or services

• Channel partners

Lies

Vague claims

Naiveté

Imagery

Jargon

“Save the planet”

“Environmentally sound”

“Sustainable”, “green”

“Certified sustainable”

Social media

News

FTC

Blogs

• New York Times: green.blogs.nytimes.com/

• Guardian: www.guardian.co.uk/environment

• www.environmentalleader.com

• LinkedIn groups

• Twitter

• Facebook

• makower.typepad.com/

• www.bestgreenblogs.com

• www.greenerworldmedia.com

• http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/grnrule/guides980427.htm

• http://www.ftc.gov/os/2010/10/101006greenguidesproposal.pdf

Nonprofits • www.thegreengrid.org

• www.nature.org

• www.apolloalliance.org

www.washburncommunication.com

www.washburncommunication.com/services/enviromarketing.html

Chris Lemoine

chris@washburncom.com

(425) 453-2501 x 115

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