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THIS ISSUE'S SPONSOR
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Taking Care of Business
By Joel Makower
It's been well-documented, albeit counterintuitive, that business innovation often flourishes during recessions. We've seen that for decades: IBM introduction of the personal computer (1982), Apple's launch of the iPod (2001), and a host of consumer products, from Kraft Miracle Whip (1933) Gillette Sensor razor (1990) to Crest Whitestrips (2000), one of Procter & Gamble's most successful products in decades.
The current recession hasn't yet yielded any iconic green products, but there's little question that green innovation behind the scenes continues relatively unabated.
This week we write about major investments in innovation by Samsung Electronics ($4.3 billion to develop new energy-efficient products); a study showing how successful retailers are addressing sustainability concerns across all corners of their operations, not just in branding or cost-saving exercises; Anna Clark's look at how wineries are going well beyond "greening up" efforts to derive tangible business benefits; Terracycle's strategy of creating innovative products from trash, partnering with some of the world's biggest brands; and Autodesk's push into the cleantech field, viewing significant opportunities to deploy its tools, which are well-embedded in industries ranging from architecture to entertainment, in the arena of green technology.
Meanwhile, companies ranging from GE to Coke continue to innovate operationally, improving their efficiencies and reducing their impacts. All during this economic downturn. It's an encouraging trend, and one that I believe will position these companies to be better able to succeed as economic climes improve.
What's your innovation strategy for these tough times? I'd love to hear about it.
By the Numbers: Thanks to the 400 or so participants in last week's webinar, "By the Numbers: Greening Your Operations," sponsored by IBM. It was a lively and informative conversation, given the feedback we've received. If you missed it (or want to hear it again), you can still listen in — the archived webinar will be available, free, until October 22 (registration required). This is the first in a series of webinars we'll be doing with IBM in the coming months. Stay tuned.
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GreenBiz Radio
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Trashing The Idea of Waste
By Jonathan Bardelline
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Tom Szaky, founder of Terracycle, the company that's turning everything from food wrappers to saw blades into new products, speaks with GreenBiz Radio about the thought process behind giving trash a new life and why end-of-life must be considered at the start of every design.... Listen
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Sponsored Content
ClimateBiz, EcoSecurities and Baker McKenzie need your help.
Please complete our anonymous Carbon Offsetting Trends 2009 online survey. Whatever your organizational strategy in relation to the environment and carbon, we welcome your comments.
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Columns and Blogs
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FEATURED RESOURCES
The Acceleration of ECO-Operation
This report from the BPM Forum details the forces and factors driving supply chain executives towards greater levels of environmental responsibility, visibility, collaboration and accountability.
Sustaining California Agriculture in an Uncertain Future
This report from the Pacific Institute details the ways that California farmers can implement water efficiency practices to reduce water use by 17 percent while maintaining current levels of productivity.
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