Comments on: Green Products In This Economy http://www.opportunitysustainability.com/?p=181 Sustainability / CSR Consulting and Green Innovation Advocacy Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:16:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Matthew Rochte http://www.opportunitysustainability.com/?p=181&cpage=1#comment-3 Matthew Rochte Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:20:22 +0000 http://www.opportunitysustainability.com/?p=181#comment-3 <em>In response to a <a href="http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/03/05/can-green-get-more-lean/comment-page-1/#comment-38595" rel="nofollow">comment</a> made on Stephen Boles <a href="http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/03/05/can-green-get-more-lean/" rel="nofollow">article</a> I offered the following thoughts in this unpublished (as of the time of this post's publishing) comment. </em> Lori brings some valuable concerns regarding educating the consumer on the true cost of conventional products and I agree that needs to occur. I see that as a concurrent issue rather than an either/or. Having said that those companies in the green market place now are struggling with whether or not jump ship, closing their doors, or rethinking their strategies. The greenwasher companies are jumping ship from this market and that's fine by me. However, as a sustainability business consultant, I'm concerned with helping the companies that "get it" survive and thrive despite the economy. Stephen Boles in this article is speaking to this audience. How do you survive in this economy if you are a green company? Many of these companies need to rethink their strategies and tactics to ride out this recession and if done correctly will blossom and leap-frog the competition post recession. I see Boles statements about what a green product "should be" as a wake up call to green companies, many of whom have not looked at sustainability efficiencies in their own business. They have only looked at the product and not at their business systems and behaviors which could save their business. He says "The need to survive what could be a prolonged downturn might be enough to end the era of premium pricing of these products." "No stimulus or tax cut will increase green product spending in this economic climate unless the prices are brought in line with everyday goods." Boles' statement is simply reflective of the Mintel report findings about current consumer behavior. If these companies don't survive then Lori's arguments about low cost labor and materials and green-washing will be in full force post-recession without the educational and proven value of truly green companies. That would be disastrous! Boles is right, "These operational cost savings should provide the necessary room to adjust prices downward." These operational cost savings can provide the opportunity for these companies to survive, grown and succeed. All companies ought to be looking into the systems and behaviors to find more sustainable ways of operating to survive and thrive in this economic and future climates. Matthew Rochte Sustainability Consultant http://www.OpportunitySustainability.com Copyright 2009 Matthew Rochte, share with attribution In response to a comment made on Stephen Boles article I offered the following thoughts in this unpublished (as of the time of this post’s publishing) comment.

Lori brings some valuable concerns regarding educating the consumer on the true cost of conventional products and I agree that needs to occur. I see that as a concurrent issue rather than an either/or.

Having said that those companies in the green market place now are struggling with whether or not jump ship, closing their doors, or rethinking their strategies. The greenwasher companies are jumping ship from this market and that’s fine by me. However, as a sustainability business consultant, I’m concerned with helping the companies that “get it” survive and thrive despite the economy. Stephen Boles in this article is speaking to this audience.

How do you survive in this economy if you are a green company? Many of these companies need to rethink their strategies and tactics to ride out this recession and if done correctly will blossom and leap-frog the competition post recession.

I see Boles statements about what a green product “should be” as a wake up call to green companies, many of whom have not looked at sustainability efficiencies in their own business. They have only looked at the product and not at their business systems and behaviors which could save their business. He says “The need to survive what could be a prolonged downturn might be enough to end the era of premium pricing of these products.”

“No stimulus or tax cut will increase green product spending in this economic climate unless the prices are brought in line with everyday goods.” Boles’ statement is simply reflective of the Mintel report findings about current consumer behavior.

If these companies don’t survive then Lori’s arguments about low cost labor and materials and green-washing will be in full force post-recession without the educational and proven value of truly green companies. That would be disastrous!

Boles is right, “These operational cost savings should provide the necessary room to adjust prices downward.” These operational cost savings can provide the opportunity for these companies to survive, grown and succeed. All companies ought to be looking into the systems and behaviors to find more sustainable ways of operating to survive and thrive in this economic and future climates.

Matthew Rochte
Sustainability Consultant
http://www.OpportunitySustainability.com
Copyright 2009 Matthew Rochte, share with attribution

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