SBDC & Sustainability
Published on Nov 21, 2015
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
SBDC & Sustainability
by Tara Briscoe
This presentation will outline the opportunity for the Arizona SBDC to collaborate with Tara Briscoe's consulting service to bring business-focused sustainability courses to Arizona's small businesses.
SBA's Sustainability Content
- Green Marketing
- Green Business Case Studies
- Green Business Practices
- Green Certification and Ecolabeling
- Environmental Grants and Loans
- Green Commuting
- Energy Efficiency
Currently the SBA offers a small section on their website with sustainability-related articles. The topics contained in this section are outlined here.
There are no online courses, in-person classes or events that incorporate sustainability principles in business.
While the information provided represents a good start, it is by no means comprehensive.
There are no online courses, in-person classes or events that incorporate sustainability principles in business.
While the information provided represents a good start, it is by no means comprehensive.
Classes and Events
Industry Experts and Speakers
We propose to take business-specific sustainability information and put it into the hands of the businesses with classes and events. We will arrange for industry experts and to teach the courses in addition to guest speakers to present at SBDC/SBA events.
Theoretical principles will have real-world practical application in their business environment. Businesses will be able to share best practices, successes and failures.
Theoretical principles will have real-world practical application in their business environment. Businesses will be able to share best practices, successes and failures.
Benefits for Businesses
- Increased Profitability
- More Competitive
- Uncover New Markets
- Heretical Innovation
- Organizational Resilience
Administration of sustainable strategies from the inception of a new business venture has far-reaching benefits. These benefits include:
Increased profitability, greater competitiveness, the ability to uncover new markets, develop heretical innovation, and long-term organizational resilience.
Increased profitability, greater competitiveness, the ability to uncover new markets, develop heretical innovation, and long-term organizational resilience.
Benefits for SBDC
- Increased Membership
- Business Retention in Arizona
The SBDC will increase their membership as both new and established businesses eager to learn about sustainability will have a local resource for information.
The organizational resilience resulting from sustainable practices means more businesses stay open and operating in Arizona.
The organizational resilience resulting from sustainable practices means more businesses stay open and operating in Arizona.
Photo by HowardLake
Pilot Program
- 3 Classes x 3
- 90-Days
- Poll members to determine topics
The pilot program proposed consists of 3 classes offered 3 times each over a 90-day period.
Current SBDC members would be polled to determine topics of greatest interest for the program.
With favorable course reviews and sufficient attendance levels, the program could be expanded to include more topics and one-on-one consultation services.
Current SBDC members would be polled to determine topics of greatest interest for the program.
With favorable course reviews and sufficient attendance levels, the program could be expanded to include more topics and one-on-one consultation services.
Photo by hgz09
Course Content
- Specific Focus Areas
- Thinking Through a Sustainability Lens
- Best Practices
- Toolset
Course content will have a practical focus. Application areas can include energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, supply chain management, lower CO2 emissions, etc.
Businesses will be able to view their business through a sustainability lens. Often this mindset leads to new ideas and innovations.
Best practices and case studies will demonstrate practical application and allow businesses to immediately incorporate sustainability into their day to day operations.
Toolsets will allow them to set and measure goals for a wide variety of industries and applications.
Businesses will be able to view their business through a sustainability lens. Often this mindset leads to new ideas and innovations.
Best practices and case studies will demonstrate practical application and allow businesses to immediately incorporate sustainability into their day to day operations.
Toolsets will allow them to set and measure goals for a wide variety of industries and applications.
Photo by Daniel Y. Go
Measurements of Success
- More new businesses opened
- Higher venture survivability
- Lower firm attrition rates
- Increased job creation
- Lower SBA loan default rate
Success of the sustainability education program at the SBDC will include:
More businesses opened, higher new venture survivability rates, lower firm attrition rates, increased local job creation and lower SBA loan defaults.
In order for small businesses to remain competitive they must adapt to the current global environment and develop a strategy that integrates sustainability and resilience. By obtaining that information and training at their local SBDC, they will gain a holistic education and support system for success.
More businesses opened, higher new venture survivability rates, lower firm attrition rates, increased local job creation and lower SBA loan defaults.
In order for small businesses to remain competitive they must adapt to the current global environment and develop a strategy that integrates sustainability and resilience. By obtaining that information and training at their local SBDC, they will gain a holistic education and support system for success.
