International sustainability expert visits Coast

Early November saw international sustainability expert, Dr Bob Willard, visit the Central Coast and speak to business leaders on the opportunities that flow from the adoption of sustainability principles.

A Canadian, Dr Willard drew on his thirty-four years of experience at IBM to explain his research into the cost savings companies can make by implementing sustainability policies.
In the process he debunked the myth that sustainability must cost a company money.
Using ‘business language’, Dr Willard spoke about the business case for sustainability – “turning green into gold”, and provided evidence that by taking sustainability seriously companies could gain a competitive advantage.
Corporations are under increasing pressure from customers, investors, employees, legislators, banks, and insurance companies to embrace social and environmental responsibility.
“Sustainability is good for business,” Dr Willard said. “It can save on water, energy, fuel and waste costs,” he said.
By embracing sustainability policies business can reduce compliance costs or be ahead of their competitors.
“It’s about turning environmental pressures into a competitive business advantage. My research has revealed that sustainable business practices have the potential to increase profits for small- and medium-sized businesses by at least 66% over five years.”
Dr Willard showed examples of how this could be achieved and how business could capture the ‘green market’ and by being a good corporate citizen in this respect, how business could attract and retain the best employees.
Dr Willard’s book The Sustainability Advantage – Seven business case benefits of a triple bottom line explains in detail how business can introduce sustainability and improve their bottom line.
Dr Willard was bought to Australia by Nicole Croker of Business Environment who jointly sponsored his Central Coast seminar with Business Central Coast.

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