21st century leadership is increasingly being defined by new approaches that focus on both sustainability and profitability. This added focus on sustainability is driven by a variety of factors There are new regulations, as well as consumer expectations, that call for the reduction of harmful business practices. According to a McKinsey report, 95% of CEO's acknowledge that businesses must address the social and environmental pressures of society.

But sustainability is not simply a top down initiative. A recent MIT Sloan study highlights mounting evidence that employees will drive companies' efforts to address sustainability and C-Suite executives believe responsibility for sustainability lies with all employees. All of this means that now, more than ever, there are real opportunities for employees to redefine their career and their impact on their organization – and the world around them.

Organizations that will profit in the future need to take immediate advantage of the huge opportunities that sustainability represents. Individuals who want to grow their career and have significant impact on their organization (and the world) need to be positioned to thoughtfully participate in forward thinking sustainability planning. This program ensures mid-managers to senior level executives can become those innovative and highly effective change agents who initiate and influence the profitability and growth of their organization through sustainability.

In this program participants will learn how to motivate and inspire staff and influence other senior executives and key decision-makers. Participants will learn skills to effectively translate the business case for sustainability into a rational pitch, a solid business plan and positive, measurable results. Key areas will include defining sustainability in today's business community and learning how to move the firm from being just in compliance to integrating sustainability into core business performance. This program encourages all managers to understand the business case for social and environmental responsibility (need to conserve limited resources such as water, disclose and reduce carbon emissions, address workers and human rights issues, reduce toxins, etc.). The program will help participants to articulate a clear and compelling business case and social vision to colleagues, managers, vendors, clients, customers, investors, and the media.

As part of this course, participants will be guided to develop their own personal action plan.

Qualifications

Participants should be familiar with basic concepts of sustainability and their relation to business.

Topics

• Leading through innovation: overview of successful business sustainability practices
• The six key principles that underpin all successful sustainability efforts will be explained and real life case studies will be provided to bring these principles to life
• The business case for sustainability: how and why companies benefit from implementing positive social and environmental practices
• Presenting the business case: Successful strategies of pitching
• Collaboration and co-opetition: Developing key relationships internally and externally
• The psychology of sustainability: How to break down barriers and bring your colleagues and bosses on your side
• Triple bottom line and other key sustainability concepts and terms including Carbon Footprint, Life Cycle Analysis, Cost/Benefit Worksheets, Carbon Disclosure Regulation, Market Research/Consumer data, etc.
• Action Plan Development: Keys to succeed in developing effective sustainability programs for your firm.
• Participants will create their personal action plans and be provided with mentoring and advice to help them take their work to the next level

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, participants will:

• Increase their ability to lead the transformation of their organizations to embrace a culture of sustainability
• Understand how leading edge companies are addressing sustainability and the challenges and obstacles that need to be overcome along the way
• Become aware of the organizations and resources that can support the transformation to a more sustainable organization (certifications, regulations, NGO groups, etc.)
• Identify best practices in measuring and benchmarking progress of sustainability initiatives – and understand what practices constitute "greenwashing"
• Learn to see sustainability through a business and leadership lens, allowing them to make a rational, compelling business case
• Deeper understanding of what skills, information, business metrics and financial analysis are necessary to support sustainability as a part of the business profitability plan

Who Should Attend

• Mid to senior level executives from all industries seeking to grow their internal efforts on sustainability
• Those responsible for HR or employee training
• Professionals, consultants and business owners looking for growth opportunities
• Executives who have tried to develop sustainability programs or green teams whose efforts have stalled

Costs

Individual Participants: $595
Package Pricing: 1 class day per participant

Available Discounts