I like plug and play. You plug in a new device or program to your computer and it just works – no set up, no reconfiguration. I like that the term has joined the popular marketing and business lexicon – “the new guy at work is so plug and play”, meaning a new employee doesn’t need any training. And in Silicon Valley there’s the Plug and Play Tech Centre, a “start-up accelerator” for fledgling companies.
I think CSR has become a similar kind of plug and play platform. Over the last few years I have seen it evolve into a start-up accelerator for social or environmental priorities.
Here’s how I came to this realization.
Published on March 26, 2012
I’m always looking for tipping points or levers or tools that have the power to catapult us into sustainable behaviour patterns on this small Earth. And guess what – it looks like the trusty sustainability report has a role to play in this profound evolution. As sustainability reporting evolves and becomes more prevalent, some experts [...]
Published on February 14, 2012
If you were born before 1990 you probably missed a paradigm shift. Unfortunately, that applies to quite a few of us – especially to those of us born between the Second World War and the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Whether we like it or not, conspicuous consumption was embedded in our lives. We were raised in [...]
Published on January 16, 2012
Welcome to the New Year! Let’s make it a year fuelled by game-changing resolutions. How do we do that? Well, as individuals we determine our priorities, we make sure they are meaningful and we identify the behaviours we would like to change. To be successful, we set clear goals and targets. And to make sure [...]
Published on November 15, 2011
Sustainable or responsible purchasing can be a powerful tool for catalyzing a more sustainable economy. While green consumerism has yet to fulfill its potential as a driver of improved social and environmental conditions, B2B (business-to-business) and B2G (business-to-government) procurement can have considerable impact in the economy. Consider Unilever, which has committed to sourcing 100% of [...]
Published on October 4, 2011
At a time when many national economies are in the red, let’s put our energy into building a green economy. I recently facilitated a lively discussion among green economy experts. We talked about how public policy can advance a green economy agenda. One realization in the discussion was that as social and environmental issues have [...]
Published on September 8, 2011
I’ll admit it – I’m a social animal. It’s true that I host the occasional dance party. But I also have the educational credentials to back me up — Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from the University of British Columbia. In fact, I have committed my career to a form of “social work”, [...]
Published on June 16, 2011
Q: Who is the most powerful sustainability catalyst – the leader or the follower? I say both play a critical role. Let me explain why and how. First I’ll identify the characteristics of sustainability leaders. Then I’ll reward you with a dance video. One that nicely illustrates how a movement is born – thanks to [...]
Published on May 12, 2011
When Kate and Will tied the knot last month, it was a family wedding, a production of The Firm and an international public-and-broadcast event all rolled into one. What interests me most about the Royal Wedding are the associated social and environmental considerations. With all the royals, politicians and dignitaries flying into London from all [...]
Published on April 5, 2011
I feel an increasing sense of urgency about the state of our planet. Thank goodness I’m not alone. A lot of people my age and older realize things have to change, and fast. Many of us have invested much of our lives in trying to turn the tide; yet there is so much more to [...]
Published on March 15, 2011
Here’s an idea. I have a lot of confidence in the power of one, the power that each of us has to expand to the limits of our potential and make a difference in the world. The Power of the Collective However in my work with business, I strive to catalyze the power of the [...]
Published on February 10, 2011
Apologies to those of you buried in snow – here in Vancouver, I see the first signs of spring. As I watch tender green daffodil shoots push up through the cold earth, I am reminded of how difficult it can be to break ground and how important it is to nurture emerging ideas. The other [...]