| It seems that there is a inevitability about Going | | | | should also be seen in the other practices of your |
| Green as a business. While some charge ahead and | | | | business, and that includes the purchasing department |
| other hesitate, the Greening of business will touch | | | | or protocols. |
| every level of the marketplace. I believe that this | | | | Going Green is not just a better way to sell your |
| process will eventually create a period that I have | | | | services or goods. It is a commitment to a national |
| termed The Green Equalization that will drive a new | | | | and world crisis that we all face in this generation. |
| generation of businesses to find a ay to be | | | | This issue need not be anti-business to be |
| Authentically Green. The public understanding will also | | | | environmentally honest. There is, however, often a |
| mature with realistic Green expectations by | | | | gaping hole of commitment in what many firms bring |
| consumers and more discernment for products and | | | | to this table regarding environmentalism. In a parallel |
| services. This generation will also reject the superficial | | | | effort, the EPA has come out with its |
| attitude toward Green that many companies | | | | Environmentally Preferred Purchasing guidelines. This |
| presently use in their operations. The marketplace will | | | | initiative mirrors a good part of the Green Supply |
| demand more Green Due Diligence to validate the | | | | Chain ideas. It should seem obvious where all this is |
| Green claims of a firm rather than ignorantly | | | | going, if you're paying attention. We are seeing the |
| accepting the promotional claims of a product or | | | | maturity of the public and business to an |
| service. | | | | environmentally-committed protocol that is ready to |
| This kind of Authentic Green is not easily acquired, | | | | "Walk the walk as well as Talk the talk." |
| however. The environmental emphasis has basically | | | | It may surprise some that installing Green practices in |
| been singular focused on the marketing end of nearly | | | | any size business is not just about the physical |
| every business. It is common for these businesses to | | | | building. Under better thought, Going Green is primarily |
| pay little if any attention to the purchasing side of | | | | about the operation, programming, or daily practices. |
| the operation. This separation of commitment will | | | | It should not matter if you rent, lease or own the |
| eventually become a marketing error in its own right. | | | | facility. Any business that envisions the future, needs |
| This is where the Green Supply Chain debate enters | | | | to begin a thorough process of Greening the |
| into the big picture of business ethics. We are seeing | | | | company from front to back. Frankly, this is more |
| more and more industry articles or conferences | | | | involved than anyone might think because it takes |
| making a point an issue of Green ethics in the overall | | | | more commitment than merely changing out your |
| operation of a business. Obviously, if a business | | | | lighting with CFL bulbs. This should involve the |
| wishes to Sell Green, it should also make it a policy to | | | | assistance of a Certified Green Consultant, who is a |
| Buying Green as well. | | | | trained professional who not only understands how |
| Ethically, every business needs to practice what they | | | | to take a business Green, but can assist the client |
| preach, claim via marketing. The rampant lack of | | | | with acquiring the necessary points for each as a |
| Green Ethics is demonstrated in a very obvious | | | | certified Green business. Using a one hundred point |
| fashion when the businesses are asking the public to | | | | scale, the business can earn its Green Business |
| buy their Green product or service, but the company | | | | Certification which is something that can be |
| does not do the same in their own operation. The | | | | legitimately promoted. A Certified Green Consultant is |
| concern for "Green Practices" heralded by the Green | | | | what should be thought of as an outsourced adviser |
| Business League applies here. The simple solution is | | | | who can work with your business to develop a |
| for all businesses to apply Green practices throughout | | | | program that is Authentically Green. This happens |
| the business scheme. In simple terms, the Green | | | | when there is a real integration of Green practices |
| expectations found in the marketing department | | | | and certification by an independent resource. |