Archive for December, 2009

You are not alone in wondering, what the heck really IS a green business? Is it necessary to be part of the “green economy” — as in, perform home energy audits or make hemp clothing? Take this quick quiz to find out if your business is eligible to become “green”. . . .

1. Do you purchase supplies for your business?

2. Do you make recommendations to your clients of supplies or materials they should purchase?

3. Do you travel for your work? Commute? Visit clients on-site? Get on airplanes?

4. Do you make year-end contributions to causes, or volunteer your time?

5. Do you use electricity in your business?

6. Do you eat food while at work? Serve it to your clients?

Congratulations! If you answered “yes” to any or all of these, then your business qualifies! Yes, it’s true: ALL businesses have an effect on the planet, on communities, on individuals. Business is fundamentally about relationships — both positive and uplifting, as well as exploitative and wasteful. (Let’s be honest here!)

The good news is, with a simple mindset shift, you are well on your way to becoming a green-blooded business owner. At GOforChange, we are all about mentoring small business owners to strategically to go green, with vision, passion, clarity and purpose. It’s not a cookie-cutter approach! No “10-Things-You-Can-Do-To-Save-The-Earth” lists here! Your green plan is unique to your business — your pressing needs, your priorities.

We encourage you to browse around here on GOforChange. You’ll find articles on a wide range of topics. They will teach you something you didn’t know, pique your curiosity, challenge and inspire you. You will see that going green extends well beyond recycling or using compact fluorescent light bulbs and can truly create an amazing “inner-world, transformational shift” in the way you think about life and business.

If you want to go deeper, try our recorded teleconference, “How to Overcome Green Overload in Your Small Business: 5 Steps for Cutting Through the Clutter.” It will take you through our ground-breaking 5-step model for creating a green business.

If you just want to explore if this greening thing is right for your business, schedule a GreenVersation with Julie Gabrielli. Simply send an email to chris(at)serenityva.com, subject line “Green me!” and we will get you signed up.

In response to this week’s Wishcasting question. . .My first wish for winter is always for a lot of snow. I love how snow covers everything, smudging away the angular edges that divide everything up into neat, separate objects all the rest of the year. Snow requires us to see our world through different eyes; its magical visual effects are so invigorating and uplifting.

The other reason I wish for snow now is to somehow stave off the effects of global climate change. The last several years, Maryland has had mild weather, both summer (a blessing!) and winter (boring!!). Back in 2003, it snowed a lot in February AND in December. That’s my son after the December 2003 storm. In “Long Distance,” Bill McKibben bemoans this trend and its effect on the cross-country skiing industry. It’s been 6 years since I’ve been able to ski around my neighborhood!

I love how Chinese medicine describes both the seasons and the elements related to them. Fittingly, water is the element in winter. Water is so willful and strong; ice formed inside a wall can literally tear it down without even trying. Water always, always finds a way around something. My final wish this winter is to be as willful and resourceful as water in its many forms. What’s your wish?