A Simple Path to Sustainability: Green Business Strategies for Small and Medium-sized Businesses

by Cooperman, Elizabeth S.

• ISBN13: 9780313382697
• ISBN10: 0313382697
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-03-03
• Publisher: PRAEGER PUBLISHERS

Summary

A Simple Path to Sustainability: Green Business Strategies for Small and Medium-sized Businesses is designed specifically to help smaller enterprises share in the benefits that flow from sustainability. Built around case histories showcasing 12 small to medium-size enterprises (SMEs) that have outstanding records of sustainability, this unique, hands-on guide will help readers choose and develop sustainability strategies and undertake the marketing and management initiatives necessary for success.The studies collected here detail each company's journey from initial idea through building a new culture, engaging stakeholders, gaining competitive advantage, and planning for the future. Each study also covers the challenges encountered, successes and failures, and lessons learned. Cases are centered around distinct themes, including a marketing/public relations perspective, a risk management perspective, an organizational culture perspective, and a new product development perspective. Taken as a whole, these stories do more than inform. They will inspire managers to become green entrepreneurs, undertaking sustainable strategies that can reap surprising benefits.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Chapter Summaries by Industry Focus	p. xvii
Overview
Introduction	p. 3
Measuring Costs and Benefits	p. 14
Sustainability Cases for Small to Medium-Sized Firms
Environmental Products
Eco-Products	p. 35
Sustainable Architecture
Barrett Studio Architects, Boulder, Colorado	p. 50
Forest City: The Evolution of Sustainability in Forest City's Development of Stapleton	p. 69
Green Hospitals
Boulder Community Hospital	p. 82
Green Printing
The Digital Frontier	p. 106
Sustainable Banking
Boulder Valley Credit Union: ôBetter Banking Naturallyö	p. 118
Sustainable Brewing
New Belgium Brewery	p. 137
Recycling
Guaranteed Recycling Xperts: A Cleantech Business That Wasn't	p. 151
Machine Work Services
Denver Machine Shop: Sustainability through Four Generations	p. 168
Socially Responsible Investing
First Affirmative Financial Network: Responding to Socially Conscious Market Demand	p. 185
Zero-Waste Hospitality
Boulder Outlook Hotel	p. 201
Overall Lessons
Overall Sustainability Lesson: Why Small and Medium-Sized Firms Should Invest in Sustainability	p. 213
Glossary	p. 231
Index	p. 241
About the Editors and Contributors	p. 251
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