the taylor companies , consisting of the taylor chair company and the taylor desk company , was an american manufacturer of upholstered wood office seating and wood casegoods .

taylor ’s primary manufacturing plant and headquarters were located in bedford , ohio .

it also had a second manufacturing plant located in lynwood , california .

the company was often touted as being the oldest privately held furniture manufacturer in the united states .

the taylor companies

i am president and ceo of the taylor companies . taylor is the oldest furniture manufacturer in the united states . taylor is headquartered in bedford , ohio and has a second manufacturing facility in lynwood , california , i earned a bachelor of science in accountancy from miami university and a . . . read more about the taylor companies
taylor companies are committed to creating economic strength – in our communities and across the country – through our efforts to support and assist minority - and women - owned companies .
green plus people’s choice award : the taylor companies ( bedford , ohio ) for receiving the most votes from communities working with the green plus program .
taylor companies are committed to applying our global knowledge and expertise to attain and continually improve environmental performance and sustainability .
late in the 1840’s the company became known as the w . o . taylor factory . after an 1850 fire in the sheds on libby road , mr . taylor moved his factory to its present location on taylor street at the end of willis street .
the taylor companies ( manufacturing : durable goods ) shearer ' s foods inc . ( manufacturing : food processing ) the lube stop inc . ( retail trades )
arthur , allan . sesquicentennial : the taylor chair co . ( 1966 ) .
in 1871 w . o . taylor’s son , vincent a . taylor took over the active management of the company , and the name was changed to w . o . taylor and son . in 1876 the international exhibition in philadelphia awarded the company a prize for outstanding products and methods .
taylor companies are committed to improving the communities in which we live and work . we contribute to the well - being of these communities through charitable giving , volunteerism and civic leadership .
taylor companies was the first company in ohio to become certified green plus . in 2004 , taylor companies , the oldest us manufacturing company , also set out to clean up a brownfield in bedford , ohio . brownfields are areas of land previously used for industrial or commercials purposes which have been contaminated by pollutants , chemicals , or hazardous materials .
after spending nearly 6 million dollars on the clean up , taylor companies has a new facility and has made an environmental , social , and economic difference in northeast ohio .
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taylor farms is north america’s favorite maker of salads and healthy fresh foods . the company focuses on innovation by consistently developing new products and improving production methods . taylor farms is family owned and based in salinas , california with twelve operating companies and distribution facilities throughout north america .
this image shows the solar system installed by rec solar at the taylor farms facility in gonzales , california . you can also see the wind turbine installed at the facility in the background .
taylor companies is comprised of a diverse mix of individuals , each with highly specialized expertise in their respective fields and geographic markets . in addition to representatives of the taylor family and select key executives , taylor’s office of the chairman includes a distinguished group of vice chairmen with extensive senior level corporate experience . we strongly believe our clients are best served by leveraging the knowledge of these vice chairmen with the proprietary methodologies utilized within each of the four pillars .
the taylor chair co . was recognized as the oldest manufacturing company in existence in the western reserve . the factory moved to walton hills in july 2006 from the old located at the corner of taylor and willis streets where w . o . taylor moved it in the 1850’s . the company is still guided by the traditions established by benjamin fitch in 1816–chairs built to last for years , with good materials , good workmanship , and styles to satisfy customers .
leveraging his existing knowledge , skills , and vast contact base , mr . taylor quickly expanded the firm’s services into the areas of management consulting , global mergers and acquisitions , and the execution of highly confidential divestitures . this business was the origin of what would eventually become taylor companies . driven by the goal of creating a methodology that is superior to those most commonly used in the industry , mr . taylor has devoted his career to consistently generating significant wealth for his clients and their shareholders through the strategic application of synergy .
it ' s no surprise , then , that josh counts ftse 100 companies among his clients .
rec solar recently completed a solar installation at the taylor farms facility in dallas , texas , which is one of several solar projects for taylor farms . beyond solar , the company has many renewable energy programs in place . we asked nicole flewell , director of sustainability at taylor farms , to talk more about these initiatives .
companies are using a number of bold new solutions to address these questions . some companies are using emerging tools to measure corporate culture and understand behavioral cues and team dynamics that might undermine compliance processes .
thank you ! it’s a very exciting time for us at taylor farms . taylor farms has always been committed to sustainability and being good stewards of the environment . we began making significant investments to renewable and alternative energy in 2012 , and we haven’t looked back . taylor farms is always looking for opportunities to maximize value to our customers and grow in capacity as well . the consumer is changing and many want to find products from companies who have sustainability at the core of their business models .
taylor is a holding company with one of its largest business , carlson craft , a printer of invitations and related material for weddings and other special events . other taylor units provide business cards and stationery , greeting cards , marketing products and other commercial printing services . chairman glen taylor is a majority owner of the nba ' s minnesota timberwolves .
ll over the globe , from traditional behemoths to smaller start - ups , companies are striving to be more sustainable and eco - conscious .
. . . taylor companies unique resources and areas of expertise — the four pillars — give us a distinct advantage in achieving our client ' s strategic goals and allow us to offer a unique body of service superior to our competitors .
one of the young men working for benjamin fitch was william o . taylor . in 1841 he married mr . fitch’s daughter , harriet . by the mid - 1840’s william taylor had taken over active management of the company , although benjamin fitch remained involved in applying his skills to production methods and tools .
( january 6 , 2010 ) public radio reporter dan bobkoff talks in depth with ceo jeff baldassari about how taylor companies has reduced its costs by $ 20 , 000 through waste reduction and $ 80 , 000 through energy conservation efforts .
we will explore various facets of resilience at the bsr conference 2015 : resilient business , resilient world , where taylor will lead the session
workforce of the future : building a resilient corporate culture .
some companies are using emerging tools to measure corporate culture and understand behavioral cues and team dynamics that might undermine compliance processes .
taylor chair closes : on june 8 , 2012 the taylor company announced that the company would close . the last day of regular operation was june 15 , 2012 . parts of the plant remained open for a few weeks to complete orders . equipment used for production is being auctioned in august 2012 . no plans for the building have been announced . company archives and artifacts were divided between the bedford historical society and the western reserve historical society .
the corporate version of the company took effect in 1885 when the name was changed to the taylor chair company . as an ohio corporation it began with capitalization of $ 100 , 000 and an issue of 1 , 000 shares of stock .
the 1950’s and 1960’s saw a continued expansion of product lines , including chairs , sofas , and tables available to professional interior designers . the alertness of the taylor chair co . in responding to changing market conditions has been a major factor in the success of the company .
mr . taylor created the company’s vision and is the primary architect of taylor’s unprecedented global advisor network . he attended the university of north carolina at chapel hill and in 1975 his entrepreneurial drive led him to form an executive search consulting firm that specialized in the strategic recruitment and placement of high - level senior executives for fortune 500 clients . he personally pioneered many of the recruiting methods and techniques commonly used in the industry today .
the latter doesn’t work , taylor says . in her own academic department , the university of michigan’s school of natural resources and environment , students can concurrently earn a master’s degree in environmental science and an mba . when they arrive in the fall , they are swiftly recruited and then mentored by companies that offer them internships . the internships often turn into permanent jobs after graduation .
it’s all positive stuff , he says . “as i see it , if companies don’t show a commitment to sustainability they are simply out of the game . ”
kellie mcelhaney , faculty director of the center for responsible business at the university of california at berkeley’s haas school of business , believes many companies also suffer from this legacy of exclusivity around environmental sustainability .
last month , a report on diversity by university of michigan professor dorceta taylor blasted us environmental organizations for their lack of diversity . taylor found that ethnic minorities comprised only 12 % of employees in these organizations , and that their leadership was overwhelmingly white and male .
taylor communications is working with not - for - profit canopy to encourage governments and the forestry sector to support and advance the protection of the world’s ancient and endangered forests . we are proud to contribute to the creation of conservation legacies in these landscapes of hope .
diversity has to be more than skin deep , taylor cautions . there must be a genuine commitment to making the company’s environmental goals inclusive and responsive to the needs of employees , consumers and the communities directly affected by its operations .
contacts : gibson usa , urltoken ; forest stewardship council , urltoken ; greenpeace music wood coalition , urltoken ; taylor guitars , urltoken .
taylor companies mission is to generate wealth and fulfillment for our clients , associates , and shareholders by building trusted relationships worldwide with those who share strategic vision and integrity ; to continually be the best in our industry at strategically producing optimal results ; and through our ongoing success to support those organizations which enrich humanity .
guitar makers know that the woods they’ve used for years might not continue to be had at the quantities and low prices they’re used to , but they are willing to adapt : “alternative woods are the key to successful guitars , ” says bob taylor of taylor guitars , which has been a pioneer in the use of exotic and sustainably harvested tonewoods in their high quality acoustic guitars . “but the market needs to go there all together . ”
congratulations on your latest facility opening in dallas and the completion of the solar project there . can you tell us more about what prompted taylor farms to make such a big push to prioritize sustainability initiatives ?
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the mission of the taylor group of companies is to provide our customers with the highest quality products in the world and to back them up with the most responsive after market service organization available while maintaining a sound financial structure for our shareholders , vendors , community , and customers . we will provide for our employees a challenging and rewarding environment in which to grow and prosper . we will continue to maintain the three watchwords upon which our company was built : faith , vision , work .
the narrow focus on
ethics and compliance
at many companies has helped them respond to practical concerns and regulatory challenges , such as the u . s . foreign corrupt practices act , sanctions and money laundering .
companies tend to consider financial results and reporting in fairly short time horizons , which can create a culture of treating compliance processes as pro forma , or ignoring them entirely . companies that operate in a pervasive narrative of fear and urgency worsen the risk of ethical lapses , and actually don’t save time in the long run . if a company is known to pay bribes , for example , the news will spread in the wider community , increasing the number of bribe requests and delays the company experiences .
clients trust taylor communications to meet the complex challenges of communicating in today’s omnichannel world . our experts leverage technology across the industry’s broadest network to create solutions that improve customer experience , drive efficiencies and grow revenue .
by 1920 sales had reached $ 1 , 000 , 000 a year . during the 1920’s sales continued to grow with additional expansion of product lines . the 1930’s brought the depression and created a difficult time for the taylor chair co . and for other businesses during those years .
to build a resilient culture , companies need to focus on how they achieve growth , not just whether they meet targets . this requires actively creating an alternative narrative about the company’s identity and success . companies with resilient cultures make a long - term commitment to ethics , sustainability , and engagement with all stakeholders across society—not just with investors .
josh taylor is passionate about sustainability and the environment . so much so the 24 - year - old has set up his own retreat for fellow young entrepreneurs , teaching them how to run eco - friendly businesses .
a former trustee of the national foundation for advancement in the arts , mr . taylor has also served as a faculty member of the young presidents’ organization and the young entrepreneurs’ organization . in addition , he has been a featured speaker at the association for corporate growth as well as at the kellogg , wharton , darden , and georgetown business school alumni associations .
this report provides a guide for sustainability practitioners to create resilient business strategies , governance , and management so that their companies are fit for a disruptive world .
“in a recent research project we observed the different sustainability strategies used by companies entering , or willing to enter , conscious consumer markets , and there were some incredible examples , ” he says .
since the firm was founded , taylor companies has deliberately maintained a low media profile in order to operate with the highest level of confidentiality . consequently , the majority of our new business comes from personal referrals by our advisors and clients rather than from mass marketing or branding initiatives . due to our structure and the nature of our approach , we are well equipped to protect critical information , which might otherwise cause distractions or disruptions if leaked during a transaction .
today’s hyper - connected world means that questions of company values , corruption and social responsibility are playing out in real time , and that companies no longer can easily control and manage their reputations . whether it is the evolution of excuses and investigations at fifa and volkswagen , ongoing scrutiny of creative offshore tax structures or responses to political debates about a living wage , the public is asking companies tough questions .
it is a member of the american association of museums , the ohio association of historical societies and museums , the ohio historical society , the national trust and the northeast ohio inter - museum council .
and the profits from the entrepreneurs retreat ? well , they ' re ploughed back into the community , josh explains simply .
sustainable companies understand that both csr and compliance teams have a critical role to play in driving ethical behavior and embedding values throughout the organization . these teams need to coordinate more with each other and across the business to design more effective ways to do so .
plenty of companies have sent black and brown and female representatives into low - income communities of color , for example , in order to gain approval for an environmentally questionable project .
some leading corporations have created a pipeline for recruiting diverse candidates into sustainability - oriented roles within their companies . on college campuses , for example , corporate recruiters seek out the best students , whereas environmental organizations tend to wait for the stars to come to them .
“corporations do understand that demographics matter , ” taylor says , while environmental organizations “really seem to believe they can just continue to focus on white , middle - class workers , culture and ways of thinking about the environment” .
mrs . peters has dedicated more than 30 years to taylor companies and has served many vital roles throughout her career . she joined the firm in 1983 as a humble receptionist and through her tenacious spirit and sharp intellect has become an indispensable member of our team . as the director of operations and a member of the board of management , mrs . peters manages and coordinates day - to - day functions of each department to ensure productive collaboration and efficient resource allocation . she lives in the beautiful shenandoah valley where she is active in her church .
taylor communications is committed to the conservation of the world’s ancient and endangered forest ecosystems . as part of that commitment , we strongly support the north american commercial scale development of pulp , paper and packaging alternatives that are derived from agricultural residues like wheat straw as a way to diversify the fiber basket and meet our continued need for high quality , cost effective products .
as we noted with the introduction of this year ' s bsr conference theme , 2016 is the year to be bold and bring issues of sustainability into core business strategy . companies that can do so will be much more resilient and fit to operate in today’s era of radical transparency .
at the other end of the food and drink sector , says munoz : “american ice - cream company ben & jerry’s was one of the first companies in the world to place a social mission in equal importance to its product and economic missions . they were bought by unilever in 2000 , though only on the understanding that they would have a board independent of their parent company , so they could maintain their high standards .
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marcelo bonta , executive director of the center for diversity and the environment , thinks companies must also consciously foster an organizational culture that provides professional development and makes people want to stay . that includes strong mentoring programs and thoughtful programs to help employees avoid implicit biases that might further marginalize underrepresented groups .
“with environmental organizations” , taylor says , “there is so much insider culture you have to break through . . . it makes it challenging for anyone who is not a member of that club” .
the company survived the depression , and during the world war ii years of 1941 - 1945 it became extremely busy filling government orders in 1945 the pent - up civilian demand for furniture produced high levels of business . by 1947 the company employed the largest number of people in its history .
companies can have state - of - the - art processes and huge compliance teams and still fall victim to ethical lapses that cost billions in lost money and reputation . compliance teams can only ensure that processes are followed—it is the responsibility of the board and the c - suite to set strategy , goals , and incentives , all of which have a profound effect on culture . resilient organizational cultures do not delegate responsibility for ethics to the compliance team—they embed their values into every decision the company makes .
the bedford historical society was founded in 1955 to collect , preserve and interpret the history of bedford , bedford township and portions of the western reserve .
“some companies are connecting the dots between their environmental initiatives , community wellbeing and social justice , ” says ed quevedo , who teaches socially responsible business at mills college in oakland and works as an associate at reos , a consulting firm specializing in human rights and sustainability .
our main product lines involve label and paper converting ( print , die cut , perf , punch and deliver ) making the use of water in the production process minimal . effluents from taylor communications’ facilities are all directed to local municipal water treatment plants where they are treated and recycled through the municipality . any and all permits are in place for these municipalities .
hermione taylor , founding director of behavioural change platform the donation , says : “behaviour change is often made to seem terrifyingly complex , but i believe that when you break it down into individual actions , it becomes startlingly simple – and usually these actions just make sense .
the holdings of the bedford historical society are listed with the library of congress in washington dc . archival information is available to researchers locally , nationally and internationally .
the greater importance a business places on energy efficiency in every decision , the greater the impact will be on long - term business efficiencies and long - term competitiveness .
more than 80 % of taylor communications production facilities in the u . s . have obtained certifications with the forest stewardship council ® and sustainable forestry initiative ® . through the fsc ® and sfi ® chain of custody systems , we connect responsible forest management practices and products with our customers . with those certifications , we help our customers demonstrate their commitment to environmentally and socially responsible forest management and label their products with the fsc or sfi trademark .
following incorporation the company grew in volume of sales and in the breadth of its product lines . by 1907 there were 102 different designs of chairs being produced . in 1913 the company began the design of office furniture . when world war i broke out the company was in a position to supply furniture for military offices throughout the country .
taylor communications moved up from 18th to 3rd place on canopy’s blueline ranking due to its strong policy updates and implementation engagement . canopy is an international environmental not - for - profit organization . its blueline ranking is a widely used customer tool profiling and ranking the sustainability performance of north america’s largest printers .
though it has not received a lot of press to date , the industry is on the case—in part for the sake of its own survival , and thanks to the hard work of a handful of green groups , guitar makers and wood suppliers .
mr . bellis has played many essential roles since he joined the company in 1982 . in his current position as taylor companies’ co - chairman of operations , he oversees application of best practices in mergers , acquisitions , divestitures , and business development . he supervises the sales and marketing activities and is the division head for the competitive intelligence and synergy consulting practices . as president and chief operating officer from 1999 - 2003 , he was responsible for business development and project management and he oversaw all acquisition , divestiture , and strategic consulting projects . during this time , mr . bellis managed day - to - day acquisition , divestiture , consulting , and intelligence - gathering operations . before 1999 mr . bellis was responsible for the management of industry advisor and corporate advisor recruiting . throughout his career with the company , mr . bellis has been an integral player in the development and enhancement of proprietary processes in the areas of acquisitions , divestitures , synergy analysis , market mapping , target identification , and intelligence gathering .
taylor farms’ investments in sustainability projects have been widely embraced by customers and partners nationwide . we plan to continue pursuing opportunities to lead renewables projects across north america , with each project taking the company one - step further in its dedication to minimizing our environmental footprint , while delivering healthy fresh foods to our consumers .
solar power , and other forms of renewable and alternative energy are a great way to manage energy costs in a predictable way and create a platform for promoting sustainable business practices . it’s important for companies in the food industry or any other sector to understand their energy profile to identify the best mix of alternative energy investments that can help the company meet their energy goals . every company should understand their energy usage and establish an energy strategy for achieving and tracking their goals .
award winners include an arkansas florist , north carolina - based public auto mechanic and order fulfillment companies , an ohio - based furniture manufacturer , pennsylvania based it and construction firms . the institute also recognized three chambers of commerce for their efforts to create more sustainable regional economies , aide their small business members , and educate other chambers on sustainability .
the changes made range from operational tweaks to cultural and behavioural revolutions , and their potential impact is enormous , proving that a sustainable approach can be both better for the soul and the balance sheet .
the same goes for board representation . quevedo points to the success of symantec , a silicon valley technology company that made a concerted effort to diversify their board and bring women and representatives from the lgbtq community into a business landscape that tends to be dominated by white and asian men . these kinds of efforts pay off , he says , because the board sets the tone for the entire company .
today , corporations like general electric , johnson & johnson , walmart and general motors have found ways to make their sustainability programs more inclusive . some companies have sheerly pragmatic reasons for pairing sustainability and diversity : it’s good for their bottom line and creates the perception – accurate or not – that their brand is committed to inclusive , environmentally friendly practices .
in many companies , high - performing teams and individuals develop a mystique that shields them from scrutiny and makes them increasingly autonomous and powerful . these teams are often characterized by high in - group loyalty , secrecy , and disproportionate influence . when the basis of success is illegitimate , the presence of these “untouchable” teams in the organization can perpetuate problems and legitimize bad behavior . resilient cultures have leaders that engage with both high - and low - performing teams and reward good conduct in both .
at taylor , we are truly committed to always finding a better way . we extend this same sense of commitment to our communities , our culture , and our environment . leading by example , we care about the world around us and demonstrate it by investing and participating in initiatives that connect people , enrich lives , and support sustainability .
at taylor communications , we are committed to operating our business in a sustainable manner and making it easy for our customers and employees to make a difference as it relates to the environment . we have earned national recognition for our commitment to sustainability and follow a three - pronged approach that includes : responsible sourcing , recycling and resource management .
our goal is to make a difference and our retail , deli , and food - service partners recognize that vision and how it translates the story of the product , and our company , to consumers . it makes good business sense , it’s good for the environment , and contributes to raising the bar on sustainability within the entire industry .
for regional leadership : the greater syracuse chamber of commerce ( syracuse , new york ) created the clean tech center , a clean energy business incubator , to catalyze economic development in its region and has since become one of the top 10 clean tech cluster organizations in the world . the chamber is the center of a vibrant green hub that encompasses public policy , technology development , business development and community education .
“these [ private ] lands are going to be logged , ” says paul . but with fsc oversight , he says , the forests can be managed sustainably . and the process is already underway , with the first part of the two - step certification process already completed . “our goal is to create a demand…for fsc certified ‘good wood’ as the only acceptable music wood from the north american coastal temperate rainforest , ” adds paul .
public trust has never has been more important — or more difficult to secure . but companies can achieve public trust by credibly demonstrating transparency , which requires a much broader focus on ethics , and on incorporating ethical considerations into business strategy . sustainability teams have a critical role to play in driving this forward .
these measures are all necessary and important , but they ignore more fundamental questions , such as how performance - based incentives can affect business development teams , how to grow market share responsibly in countries where human rights and corruption concerns are pervasive , or how companies can drive social responsibility in their supply chains .
dr munoz believes that it is critical for companies that have an eye on both long - term costs and risks to act now to improve their sustainability . “a more robust sustainability approach , developed through eco - efficient practices – such as environmental management – can significantly decrease operational costs , ” he says .
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in 1996 , gibson , one of the world’s premier guitar brands , became the first in the industry to make some of its instruments using wood certified as “sustainably harvested” by the non - profit forest stewardship council ( fsc ) . by 2006 , some 42 percent of the wood purchased by the company for its gibson usa electric guitars came from fsc - certified sources . by 2012 , gibson expects to increase that to 80 percent .
“emiliana wines , for instance , is an organic and biodynamic chilean winemaker , which has one of the most comprehensive materiality matrices i have ever seen . ” the business complies with the most rigorous sustainability international standards and certifications , and was wines of chile’s green winery of the year in 2014 .
but if a company genuinely commits to creating space for diverse voices to be part of the decision - making process , they are more likely to find a solution that works for everyone . it can work , taylor says , if a company is open to people inside its own organization pushing for change , even if it conflicts with long - held , entrenched beliefs .
terry nelidov , managing director of the erb institute , shared his insights on how millennials in leadership roles will impact sustainability management , the importance of metrics and leadership support for sustainability , and the convergence of environmental and social issues .
bonta started the center for diversity and the environment following his own experience as one of the only minority employees at a leading environmental organization . he says his ideas would be routinely ignored or overlooked – until they were endorsed by a white colleague .
“to embed a culture of change that will allow businesses to adapt to the complex issues of sustainability and energy , you must engage their whole workforce in the challenge .
smarter homes are better for the planet . here ' s how to get on board
bsr™ is a global nonprofit organization that works with its network of more than 250 member companies and other partners to build a just and sustainable world . from its offices in asia , europe , and north america , bsr™ develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting , research , and cross - sector collaboration . learn more about bsr’s 25 years of leadership in sustainability .
marc pons , owner of chapel hill tire car care center , ( chapel hill , north carolina ) was selected for his role as a community leader and his assistance in advancing the discussion of the triple bottom line amongst small businesses and the community at large .
trudy and josh became business partners and , as they say , the rest is history .
other companies are integrating their stakeholder engagement activities across business units , so that they are well placed to respond to emerging political and community concerns in a more holistic and consistent way . others are considering whether growth targets in new , high - risk markets really can be met without undermining commitments to anticorruption , and are adjusting financial goals accordingly . others are looking at the incentives set by human resource teams , and how they might support or weaken commitments to integrity or diversity .
one way to begin changing this is to ensure that diversity is present and visible at the top , too . mcelhaney says : “the leadership ranks are where diversity is doing least well , and that leads back to the concept of ‘you can’t be what you can’t see . ’”
leadership is the most critical factor driving organizational culture , as employees mirror leaders’ behavior , which cements cultural norms . engaged leadership is critical : boards and executives that are arrogant , complacent , and deliberately disengaged from the front line of business put their companies at risk , far more than “rogue employees” do . many leaders run authoritarian , command - and - control structures that purposely encourage a lack of transparency—so that they have plausible deniability if problems arise . but leaders of resilient cultures take personal responsibility for oversight , engage employees effectively , and make difficult decisions to protect their teams .
students who intern with environmental organizations , on the other hand , are less likely to be hired after an internship , which means they have to start their job search all over again . taylor believes this is not just a question of resources , but of priorities . environmental groups have failed to effectively reach and retain candidates that don’t fit a certain mold , she says , while corporations tend be better at “creating a structure” around new employees to support their development .
dear earthtalk : i’m a musician and am curious about what the guitar industry is doing to ensure that the wood it uses is not destroying forests . - - chris wiedemann , ronkonkoma , ny
truly sustainable businesses are embedding an ethos of saving valuable resources and being more aware of their impact in order to future proof the organisation and save or make money at the same time .
our primary vendor for carbonless paper utilizes vegetable - based carbonless capsules in the manufacture of their products .
resilient cultures take time to build and develop , but the rewards for a company are enormous . results include engaged and empowered employees , thorough and considered responses to changes in the external environment , enhanced reputation and stakeholder relationships , and inspirational leadership . and , most importantly , the organization becomes truly sustainable .
one celebrated example of a huge multinational company successfully altering its culture is unilever . the anglo - dutch conglomerate’s sustainable living plan launched in 2010 , with the aim of doubling revenues while halving its environmental footprint .
“the green plus sustainable enterprise awards were created to help smaller enterprises learn the best practices of triple bottom line sustainability – strong financial , environmental , and community performance – from one another , ” said chris carmody , executive director of the institute for sustainable development . “the green plus awards winners and finalists have demonstrated that sustainability is not only possible , but highly beneficial for smaller enterprises , regardless of their sector , ” carmody concluded .
pressuring sales teams to meet high sales targets—and rewarding this to the exclusion of behavior or ethics—is a significant causal factor in corruption and fraud . incentive and reward systems tend to be out of the remit of compliance teams and based on budgets set at the corporate level , which human resources departments then translate into performance - management systems .
“some argue that unilever’s transformation was due to ben & jerry’s strong culture , and there is evidence to support this . it is one of the most amazing underdog stories : they changed an empire from the inside out . ”
resilient cultures understand that proper oversight and decision - making takes time and that considering the consequences of decisions over the long term is worthwhile . in an era of inequality , social disruption , and unprecedented climate change , it is time to reconsider long - term strategy and decouple it from the quarterly reporting cycle where possible . resilient cultures understand that inclusive and responsible business is not just the right thing to do , it makes long - term commercial sense .
“as a young person of color just out of graduate school , i had the latest knowledge around biodiversity , conservation and planning , ” bonta says . “ [ but ] whenever i would say something , it would never get implemented until the second - in - command would repeat the same thing , and he’d get credit for it . ”
take a look at the video showing how eps helps manage electricity and gas costs for e . on customer bsw timber
for its exceptional creativity in helping american chambers of commerce connect conservation and environmental efficiency with job creation , the institute recognized the st . louis regional chamber and growth association with a special green plus award for its national leadership in making the case to chambers of commerce that good environmental practices and economic growth should go hand in hand through its climate prosperity project .
but this often raises uncomfortable contradictions . living wage programs might be undermined by the use of offshore tax vehicles . efforts to reduce the company carbon footprint by environmental teams might take place while government affairs departments lobby quietly for laxer environmental regulations . focused efforts at engaging and responding to stakeholder concerns should be integrated across the business , not left to one department .
“there is a perspective that corporate responsibility and sustainability are a luxury of the highly affluent and highly educated , ” mcelhaney says .
already , just over five years in , unilever is on track to meet the vast majority of its aims , which included helping more than a billion people take action to improve their health and wellbeing by 2020 and halving the environmental impact of its products by 2030 .
i started writing a blog about creative projects that i was doing in my spare time , sharing my projects about my creative , science and technology ventures , such as sending a weather balloon to space and capturing it on camera or filming the bottom of the ocean .
corporate diversity is still a problem within green industries – and leadership positions are the worst off . photograph : guillermo arias / xinhua press / corbis
euphemisms to describe fraud and bribery are almost universal across cultures , reflecting a desire to diminish the impact and sense of wrongdoing . resilient cultures embed explicit conversations around ethics and values into all decisions and understand that language is a powerful tool to drive behavior in organizations . at one resilient company , executives read the company mission statement aloud before any big decision . this simple technique can be surprisingly effective at driving group behavior in the right direction
the values - led business hub is funded by sc johnson . all content is editorially independent except for pieces labelled advertisement feature . find out more here .
the coalition’s initial focus is on halting the aggressive deforestation going on in southeast alaska . greenpeace has been in talks with sealaska timber corporation , one of the biggest logging operations in alaska , to get 190 , 000 acres of the company’s privately owned southeast alaska timberland—a prime source of sitka spruce , a wood coveted by instrument makers for its use in guitar soundboards—certified by fsc . greenpeace forest campaign coordinator scott paul views getting these forestlands certified as an important win - win opportunity for sealaska , which wants to maintain a viable income stream , and for instrument makers who need a dependable source of resonant , durable and beautiful woods .
the chapel hill - carrboro city schools ( chapel hill , north carolina ) has engaged all categories of its stakeholders in the creation of a community - wide sustainability committee , uses solar power , green roofs , water reclamation and other conservation measures , and which took measures to make its food service more ecologically friendly .
for member sustainability support : the greater cleveland partnership / council of smaller enterprises ( cleveland , ohio ) for its exceptional efforts to help its 17 , 000 business members through an extensive array of educational , technical assistance and incentive programs to help its members become more sustainable , especially in the area of energy efficiency .
“measure progress , show employees the impact that they’re having , and you’ll be amazed at how far employees are willing to go to help you achieve your goals .
until the past few years , our society has not expected corporations to act like exemplary citizens . but we are seeing hopeful signs that this could be changing .
cargas systems of lancaster , pennsylvania has , from its inception , set an inspirational example in every area of the triple bottom line . founder and ceo chip cargas from the start instituted substantial employee ownership and slow , smart growth aimed at creating generations of job security in his community . cargas is building a new silver leed certified building in the heart of downtown lancaster – in part to allow 80 % of their employees to bike to work , and in part to help revitalize its community .
click here to see ceo jeff baldasarri’s zero waste northeast ohio page . read ( or listen ) to ideastream’s dan bobkoff indepth news report of the story : urltoken .
certified research triangle park headquarters . green plus is a program of the institute designed to help smaller enterprises and their communities understand and benefit from triple bottom line practices .
wohlsen construction ( lancaster , pennsylvania ) works to reuse and recycle its waste streams , tracks its carbon footprint , and gives extensively to local organizations . their commitment to sustainability started long before it was a buzz word and through planning and dedication they have become a leader in their community around the idea of the triple bottom line .
now , josh works to encourage others to become more self reliant , reconnect with nature and
think of the bigger picture beyond their own needs and wants
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“unilever is an inspiring example , but perhaps too large for those smaller businesses who view sustainability as a daunting task , ” suggests dr pablo munoz , a lecturer in business and sustainable change at the sustainability research institute at leeds university . however , he adds , there are plenty of smaller examples of businesses putting efficiency at the heart of their strategy .
our commitment to renewable energy projects has brought many benefits to our business . not only do these investments make good business sense , but they continue to motivate our employees and customers . it’s a great feeling to know that the company you are working for , or purchasing your healthy meal from , is making such a large commitment to doing the right thing .
this is not just about hitting flimsy corporate social responsibility ( csr ) targets , though ; whole business models are being rewritten with the aim of becoming more effective and more profitable .
benjamin fitch started making split - bottom chairs in 1816 at his cabin at the corner of what is now libby and warrensville center roads in bedford township , now part of maple heights .
that’s a huge target for a company that owns more than 400 brands and at the end of july 2016 announced a half - year turnover of €26 . 3 billion ( £22bn ) .
organizational complexity brings its own challenges . the realities of doing business across time zones , geographies , and product lines have led to a focus on organizational matrices and shared responsibility . this can help build resilience by increasing cooperation and information flows . resilient cultures complement the benefits of shared responsibility and empowerment with a clear understanding of and responsibility for managing individual risks and reporting problems .
brick street botanical ( rogers , arkansas ) works to use responsible suppliers , focusing on the local , is very active in its community , and uses recycled materials for both floral arrangements and functional decor .
corporations exist to make money , to grow revenue and sales and satisfy shareholders . financial reporting is driven by a quarterly calendar , and budget targets assume growth by default . but an overwhelming focus on growth at all costs can make organizations vulnerable . volkswagen’s reported push to be number one in diesel meant it created targets it could not fulfill , and an apparently increasing conviction that the ends justify the means .
for example , the 2015 nielsen global corporate sustainability report states that 66 percent of global consumers say they’re willing to pay more for sustainable brands . this aligns with our mission to provide sustainably sourced products .
we feel our record of achieving exceptional results , our ability to operate with the highest level of confidentiality , our commitment to personalized service , and our exclusive focus on merger and acquisition advisory distinguish us from our peers .
we help them with coaching sessions to find a solution to problems they face , point them in new directions and even teach the necessary skills to young people who want start their own businesses ,
josh says .
a lot of people misunderstand social enterprise to mean charity work but to us it means operating a normal , profit making business that does something more useful for communities and the environment than just financially benefitting its shareholders and top executives .
they ' ve installed bee hives to boost the number of pollinators on their land , rear their own livestock , grow their own food , and even manage their land to benefit bio diversity - using goats and geese to clear weeds over chemicals .
riley life industries , inc . ( durham , north carolina ) holds a monthly company - wide community service activity , which all employees are paid to attend , achieved a 100 % utilization of recycled or reused packaging materials , while eliminating all bubble wrap and peanuts from shipping , reduces packaging costs by 61 % through the reuse of boxes coming in rather than recycling those boxes , conserves energy through programmable thermostats as well as an electric forklift , and addresses and educates its stakeholders and community about the triple bottom line .