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News & Views From the Front Line
Monday, 21 September 2009
Monday Morning Training Tips
I'm taking a coffee break between client meetings on Teesside. I've just been with a world class engineering company, mapping out the content of two training seminars I'm doing for them, one on CSR and one on Sustainability & Design. While they're fresh in my mind, here are three top tips on sustainability training:1. Sell the course to delegates
Many people are cynical about training. Many people are cynical about sustainability. You need to sell the purpose of the course to the delegates, both at the start and at points through the session. In this case I'll be pointing out how 'green' can win tenders and the business opportunities for this company in the low carbon agenda.
2. Mind the gap
If you leave a gap between the content of the course and the implementation of those ideas back at the desk, most of your hard work will fall straight through it. I always get delegates to apply the knowledge and skills they are learning to their day job during the session - closing the gap up before it occurs.
3. Make it thought provoking
Challenging your delegates is more effective than lame attempts to make the session fun. Ask questions, puncture myths and put people on the spot. If you can do fun too, then do it.
I think these are the most important three. Do you have any more?
Labels: csr, design, sustainability, training
# posted by Gareth Kane : 10:36
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Monday, 9 March 2009
Weekly Tip(s) #47: Design it out
This is the latest of a series of tips extracted from the Green Business Bible e-book:Design out environmental problems - McDonough and Braungart have a neat little saying:
“Take the filters out of the pipes and put them where they belong - in the designers’ heads.”
# posted by Gareth Kane : 09:48
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Sunday, 10 June 2007
London 2012 - The Greenest Games Ever?
With all the furore over that logo, attention has been distracted from the business opportunities relating to the delivery of the 2012 Olympic Games. Well, if the Olympic Delivery Authority’s sustainable development commitments are anything to go by then it certainly will be a green games:- Aiming to minimise the carbon emissions associated with the venues through a 50% reduction in carbon dioxide by 2013.
- 90% of demolition material to be reused or recycled and at least 20% of materials used to be recycled.
- 40% reduction in the demand for potable water in permanent venues and a 20% reduction target for residential development.
- Aspiring to transport 50% of construction materials, to the Park by water and rail.
- Protecting and enhancing the biodiversity and ecology of the venue locations.
- Maximising timber from sustainable sources with all timber used from known, legal sources, with clear supply chain evidence.
This sets a challenge for everyone looking for a slice of the action. And with £4bn of contracts going, these games will be the biggest single public procurement exercise in the world, ever.
In the bidding documentation, "the Environment" is listed as one of the five key criteria against which bids will be assessed, with particular reference to waste minimisation and energy use - and the criteria above will be expected to be read across into contracts as appropriate. Anybody wanting to bid will certainly need to get their environmental credentials in order.
Labels: climate change, design, energy, green procurement, olympics, waste
# posted by Gareth Kane : 15:52
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A highly accessible, practical guide to those who want to introduce sustainability into their business or organization quickly and effectively.
