Evaluating Business Sustainability Return

Blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Company
Apr 13, 2011 10:00 AM ET

Taiga Company blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Compa…

 

Common comments and concerns we encounter in our sustainability consulting are that specific sustainability concepts are too expensive or simply do not apply to a given business model or industry. Simply put, in the business world, action must generate return to be sustainable.    Especially in these turbulent economic times, business executives are looking for quantifiable return on their investments.  Our professional consulting works with executives who, like all, are focused on the initial investments and long-term value of business sustainability.  These business leaders want to know: Are we generating a return on our business sustainability actions?    Many companies generalize the initial cost of sustainable development or fail to assign the cost to products and services realizing the value.  This often leads to a misunderstanding of the cost/value relationship of specific action.  In a recent post, What is the Business Cost of Sustainability, we discussed the value of providing transparency to business sustainability costs.   So in evaluating business sustainability return, what should be considered?   Impacts to sales and revenue: •    Have base sales increased as a result of specific action? •    Will new sales increase as potential market opportunity become available?   Click here to read more about evaluating business sustainability return.  

Home to one third of the earth's trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company's vision to drive similar change in the business world. Taiga Company seeks to be the "oxygen for your business".