Monday, November 27, 2006

Members in the News

Alliance members have been all over the news lately.

Consolidated Printing
:
  • Winner of Governor's Pollution Prevention Award and 2 City of Chicago GreenWorks Awards
Green Exchange:
Green Maker:

HJ Kessler Associates:

Current members: Got a link to a recent news story of your own? Email it to us at csba@foresightdesign.org to post on our website and future blogs!

Monday, November 06, 2006

The components of sustainability

The components of sustainability are like spokes pointing towards the center of a wheel- all are necessary in order to reach our ultimate vision of a sustainable society.

The truth of this is very visible as sustainability is incorporated into the many sectors and sizes of the business community. We need the Wal-Marts of the world to be more conscious of reducing the impacts of their business, just as much as we need new companies to begin to offer significantly more sustainable products, services and business models.

Inc magazine focused a portion of the November edition on exactly this topic. They have identified The Green 50: the most intriguing entrepreneurs in the green revolution. These companies are at various stages of their development, many of whom have moved beyond the status of entrepreneur. Something notable: very few are located in the midwest and none are from Chicago.
Is it too easy to say that our farm and manufacturing roots, with no mountains or progressive governments, are the reason for our delay in the eco-revolution? We certainly have a strong eco-entrepreneur base in Chicago, but what's missing that keeps us from being a destination?

The answer probably lies in what it really takes to get a new sustainable enterprise off the ground? You need financing, of course. You need vision, a market, and a strategy. And good timing. How do we create the environment where these things come together for Chicago? The City could offer incentive packages to attract new businesses, but without the other critical components, businesses aren't any more likely to succeed.

I don't think it's just because of our bias that we at the Alliance think that being part of a community makes a big difference. Involving other minds in your plan to find and then get exposure in your market is critical.

What else can the Alliance provide to turn Chicago into the eco-entrepreneur center of the country?

Friday, November 03, 2006

My kinda town, Chicago is.

I have to say that the Chicago business community continues to amaze and impress me.

As we talk to more and more businesses about the goals, programs, and vision of the Alliance, I continue to be inspired not just by the energy around the sustainability activities in the Chicago business community, but especially by how many different kinds of businesses and individuals have crossed our path unexpectedly with that same excitement.

The industries represented by current Alliance members already include:
  • Financial Services
  • Real Estate
  • Green Building Materials
  • Media & Communications
  • Governmental Agencies
  • Strategy and Product Design Consultants
  • Interior Designers
  • Retail
  • Printing
Yesterday we went from an energizing meeting at the Funky Buddha to discuss the planning of our December 6 Green Drinks event. We chatted about all opportunities and challenges of sustainability in the night club/restaurant industry, and about how useful a central organizing force would be to facilitate the move towards a much more local and organic standard for the food service providers in Chicago.

As if that weren't enough inspiration for one day, we then went to Green Drinks -- Business Edition to hear PortionPac's Burt Klein talk about their sustainability successes. Not only was the presentation itself excellent, there were also several new businesses and industries represented that we were unfamiliar with, and it was great to get the chance to hear their ideas and energy about the topic too. For example, I met Stel at onShore Networks, an IT Consulting group. While they do traditional networking, security, and other services, they also are working on the infrastructure for alternative heating and cooling systems.

So, I just wanted to say, keep on keepin' on, Chicago. We all have a lot to learn from the diversity of businesses that are tackling sustainability in our city. The possibilities for new connections seem endless.

Welcome to our newest Founding members!