That was the tit
le of a recent article in our local paper (The Portsmouth Herald). It was subtitled “Timberland (one of the companies featured in Top of their Game in our new book) achieves profits while helping the environment.” It is a good news environmental story for a change and it points out what we are saying, green projects make cents. According to Timberland sources, “broad corporate social responsibility is the essence of good business.” We can’t agree more.
“Business success, for us, is defined not not only by the return we earn for our stakeholders but also by the positive impact we have on our community and environment,” said Betsy Blaisdell, Timberland’s senior manager of environmental stewardship as quoted in the article. Further she says, “Bottom-line results are obviously critical – if we cease to be profitable, we cease to exist – but if we earn them at the expense of our values and commitment to be responsible corporate citizens, we’ve failed.”
Projects like reducing energy, chemical, and resource use at Timberland-owned and operated facilities worldwide are being executed. Timberland’s goal is also to engage employees, the public, and even challenge competitors to do the same. Timberland continues to grow in spite of a weak economy. “Success for us comes from a business model in which commerce and justice are inextricably linked,” Blaisdell explained. Learn more about Timberland’s environmental stewardship.
Money Makes the World Go ‘Round
The new incentives would apply to wind and solar projects, clean coal technology, advanced nuclear technology and cogeneration ( the simultaneous production of heat and power in a single thermodynamic process) projects. It could mean upwards of 700 new jobs in this sector. For us, that’s what it is all about, planet, projects, and putting people back to work. 700 jobs don’t seem like a lot, but multiply that by the number of states who have similar or who will have similar incentives and it is an good start toward recovery of the job market. Couple that with the indirect benefits of a job (the multiplier) and it could mean an additional 4 or more jobs in support of those workers. After all, we all need to purchase a pair of Earthkeepers®
Of course, the point is, that every project should have a project manager. Project managers can keep their ears to the ground and their eyes on EarthPM to see how this “Green Wave” is affecting and will affect the future of our discipline.