| While the concept of operating a sustainable business | | | | business. What is good for the people, is good for |
| has been gaining momentum over the past few | | | | the planet is good for the business. While many focus |
| years, many still question what it means. In this article | | | | solely one the Planet when addressing sustainable |
| we'll take a look at what "sustainability" means and | | | | business practices, there is clearly more to the overall |
| how you can make your business become more | | | | picture. |
| sustainable? | | | | Companies around the World are beginning to be held |
| Within environmental discussions, sustainability refers | | | | to higher standards of corporate social responsibility, |
| to sustaining the planet and all life on it. However, | | | | including the environmental impact of their business |
| when addressing business practices, the term takes | | | | practices. Achieving true sustainability should be a goal |
| on a much broader meaning. | | | | for all businesses. To focus of the "triple bottom line" |
| The concept behind creating a more sustainable | | | | and strive for growth in these 3 areas of people, |
| business is simple. For any business to maintain a | | | | planet and profits it will assure a successful business. |
| competitive advantage and achieve long-term | | | | In future articles we'll take a closer look at each of |
| success in today's economy, it must focus and excel | | | | the three aspects of the "triple bottom line". There |
| in the following 3 areas: | | | | are many factors which come into play within each |
| 1. People - Business must treat all individuals | | | | of these three aspects of sustainability which |
| (employees, customers, and the community) fairly. | | | | deserve a more detailed explanation. Any way you |
| 2. Planet - Business must operate in an | | | | look at it, to operate a sustainable business simply |
| environmentally responsible manner. | | | | means that you are focused on the future. It only |
| 3. Profits - Business must achieve an acceptable | | | | makes sense to care about more than just the |
| return on investment and a healthy bottom line. | | | | bottom line. When businesses begin to shift their |
| These 3 principles, working together, create a | | | | attention from profits to people and the planet |
| synergistic element, thus sustaining a healthy | | | | everyone wins. |