Wednesday, July 18, 2007

The Green Road Less Traveled - and the opportunity it represents for "smart" manufacturers

Factiva

Well, Thomas Friedman agrees - we can turn green to gold, and use it to differentiate US manufacturing again. His quote:

"What can many U.S. companies still manufacture? They can manufacture things that are smart -- that have a lot of knowledge content in them, like a congestion pricing network for a whole city. What do many Chinese companies manufacturer? They manufacture things that can be made with a lot of cheap labor, like the rubber tires on your car. Which jobs are most easily outsourced? The ones vulnerable to cheap labor. Which jobs are hardest to outsource? Those that require a lot of knowledge.

So what does all this mean? It means that to the extent that we make ''green'' standards part of everything we design and manufacture, we create ''green collar'' jobs that are much more difficult to outsource. "

I think this is incredibly compelling, don't you?

Tech's Green Problems

USATODAY.com

Interesting article that highlights the growing scope of environmentally friendly initiatives in the Electronics marketplace. Every challenge represents an opportunity - and this article highlights the many challenges of producing and disposing of electronics, with a focus on PCs and phones, in a "green" or environmentally responsible way.

IBM is not mentioned at all, perhaps because we no longer produce PCs. IBM's record in this space is quite impressive, and of course there is always more work to do.

From the IBM Website: Check out our most recent Environmental News:


15 May 2007
IBM Receives Gold Band Rating in Business in the Community's Environment Index 2006IBM received a Gold Band rating in Business in the Community's Environment Index 2006, and led its industry sector once again.
26 Apr 2007
IBM Research and Global Real Estate Site Operations Receive the 2006 Chairman's Environmental AwardIBM Chairman Samuel J. Palmisano has announced that both IBM's Research and Global Real Estate Site Operations organizations will receive the 2006 Chairman's Environmental Award. The award for 2006 focused on energy conservation and energy efficiency across IBM's operations, products and services.
23 Mar 2007
IBM Announces New Greenhouse Gas Reduction GoalIBM announced its second greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders program - a commitment to reduce its total global GHG emissions by 7% from 2005 to 2012.
16 Jan 2007
IBM Joins U.S. EPA's SmartWaySM Transport PartnershipIBM recently joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership. The company is participating in this program as a shipper of freight.
06 Dec 2006
IBM's Green Power Purchasing Recognized for Second Time in 2006The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy awarded IBM a 2006 Green Power Leadership Award for its renewable energy purchases in the U.S., including wind, solar and biomass-generated electricity.

Going Green is Red Hot

Going Green is Red Hot

This is not news to me - but it is music to my ears! Can you say Tipping Point?

What is not stated here is how incredible important and urgent this really is. I encourage each of us to assess our own impact, and the potential force for change that we individually and collectively can become.

If you are a purchasing agent, how will you ensure that your suppliers, the shipping process, the packaging, the disposal of packaging are "green"? How can you begin to make them "greener"? Who do you need as allies inside your company? Outside of your company? Now is the time to take stock and take action.

If you are a teacher, or a school administrator, or a parent, what can you do to make your school "green"?

How green is your workplace? Your home?

Everyone has a role to play, and frankly, this is one of those unique opportunities to be a leader in a huge, global shift. The opportunity is there to "do well by doing good".

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Are you waiting on the world to change, or....

are you actively working to transform it?

Last month I decided to actively hang a coaching shingle to broaden my impact beyond IBM, where I am very "activated" 32+ hours per week. Immediately, a client and I "found" each other, and I started working with a local brain researcher and his team this week on an amazing compelling purpose - to cure or "fix" emotional brain disorders. And so I decided it was time to get serious, and actually "hang a shingle" on the internet, an invitation to potential clients that might just see themselves as "aspiring world changers", or "conscious capitalists", or "social entrepreneurs", or healers or researchers committed to making this world a better place.

I will absolutely not compete with IBM, or provide services that IBM offers to our clients - my main focus is coaching and catalyzing change by partnering with social entrepreneurs - "bigger game" coaching.

So, a toast to my newest "bigger game" - i3activate, a place of inspiration, innovation, and impact. Feel free to knock, if you are so compelled...

And have an inspired, innovative, and impactful day.