My boyfriend has a great quote - "it's not what you say... it is what people hear." And I can't tell you how many times I have said, and have heard others say, "well I told him/her that why didn't they do it?"
We make an interesting assumption that every time we say something, that the listener understands what we say with the exact same clarity as we understand what we say. Not true. next time watch a conversation and watch how many times something has to get repeated, watch how one person tends to repeat things back to make sure they understand. Understanding comes from experience, it comes from connecting information to your perspective of the world.
Ok so what does this have to do with sustainability? The other day I was with my boyfriend listening to a program on the radio and the interviewee talked about sustainability in relation to marketing trends. Side note: My boyfriend is in sales and marketing. he repeated back to me concepts about sustainability that I have been telling him for years, like they were brand new ideas? I scratched my head... "Haven't you been listening to me?"
His response is incredibly important for people to take note of. he said "Yeah, but you have never said it like he did. You need to use those words."
This to me was a great eye opener on how we must communicate for understanding in order to be heard. Keep trying, keep using different words and messaging, and eventually ideas might find a connection to each of our listeners.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Waste
I just cleaned out my garden to harvest what I had, remove what was old and make room for my summer "crops". I have to admit there was an excessive amount of "waste" I think the ratio was 1/4 = food, 3/4 = went to the compost. Now often we reference nature as having NO waste. And how inefficient I would be if this were my business. If I were tossing out 75% of my investments, I wouldn't be in business for too long.
But there is a different story here. This organic waste isn't going just anywhere, it is going into a compost that will be broken down into new soil for future gardens and thus supporting future plants. Really I have to take a very long term approach to how I look at my garden and thus giving me better examples of how to look at how I would build on the nature model for my business. Everything we don't use, we should use at some point. And this is probably the strategy behind hoarders. Keep it, for it might be useful at some point.
This is different, keep it because you KNOW HOW it will be useful at some point. But knowing that means you have to have a pretty in-depth understanding of what your needs will be in the future. And that is not easy. If you look at the market economy to day and compare it to the needs of 10 years ago, there have been many changes. But there have also been many similarities.
This is where you can at least plan for. Humans will need to eat, to sleep, to shelter themselves, we are addicted to culture, so if your waste can feed those needs then it serves a purpose. Even if that purpose is not short term.
But there is a different story here. This organic waste isn't going just anywhere, it is going into a compost that will be broken down into new soil for future gardens and thus supporting future plants. Really I have to take a very long term approach to how I look at my garden and thus giving me better examples of how to look at how I would build on the nature model for my business. Everything we don't use, we should use at some point. And this is probably the strategy behind hoarders. Keep it, for it might be useful at some point.
This is different, keep it because you KNOW HOW it will be useful at some point. But knowing that means you have to have a pretty in-depth understanding of what your needs will be in the future. And that is not easy. If you look at the market economy to day and compare it to the needs of 10 years ago, there have been many changes. But there have also been many similarities.
This is where you can at least plan for. Humans will need to eat, to sleep, to shelter themselves, we are addicted to culture, so if your waste can feed those needs then it serves a purpose. Even if that purpose is not short term.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Personal sustainability
With the end of 2009 almost upon me, I have been scrambling to get together some GREAT resolutions for the new year on how I am going to be a better me. I actually came across some resolutions I set last year and thought I should just copy and paste, scratch out 2009 and add in 2010.
I was to lead a lower impact life, slow things down, cook more, be a better partner, a better friend, ride my bike more... all that good stuff. I realize that these are things in which I want to always live my life by, not just goals for the year. The idea of goals is one that challenges me greatly. I LOVE goals, I love setting goals and writing them down and making charts and all that good stuff. But what goals don't do is get me through the day to day and at the end when I have accomplished my goals, then what? It is not sustainable for me to be only goal oriented, rather I want and idea of where I am going. Like a healthy lifestyle, a low impact living, stronger relationships, and then set intentions to live each day towards that.
Life isn't very fulfilling as a check mark on a list.
So new resolution for the list 2010 - remember to live my life as I plan it to death
I was to lead a lower impact life, slow things down, cook more, be a better partner, a better friend, ride my bike more... all that good stuff. I realize that these are things in which I want to always live my life by, not just goals for the year. The idea of goals is one that challenges me greatly. I LOVE goals, I love setting goals and writing them down and making charts and all that good stuff. But what goals don't do is get me through the day to day and at the end when I have accomplished my goals, then what? It is not sustainable for me to be only goal oriented, rather I want and idea of where I am going. Like a healthy lifestyle, a low impact living, stronger relationships, and then set intentions to live each day towards that.
Life isn't very fulfilling as a check mark on a list.
So new resolution for the list 2010 - remember to live my life as I plan it to death
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
How we got out of balance
It isn't a big surprise to everyone how much we are a consumption culture especially around the holidays. It just becomes so apparent to how much we spend, even when we try not to, even with our best intentions. Giving thanks, sharing food, gifts, all of these things usually require purchasing. And strangely enough even though I am annoying with my mantra of don't spend, I need people to purchase from the company that I work for so that I can keep my job.
We have gotten ourselves out of balance such that we need our consumptive society to keep our society at all. Much of the debate over the last year with the USA recession and the pumping the system with money to protect jobs and the reductions we have seen are almost circular in their tales of woe. Job cuts mean reduction in spending, reduction in spending means companies need to be tighter with their budgets, more job cuts.
This makes me think about where the sustainability in all of this is. More jobs, a stronger economy means more for more right? We saw that a few years ago and that wasn't sustainable either.
The balance of wealth, stability of jobs and economy and the impact of consumption has not been figured out yet. And this topic is too big to try and break down in one posting, but I do think there is a model out there. Let's keep talking about it.
We have gotten ourselves out of balance such that we need our consumptive society to keep our society at all. Much of the debate over the last year with the USA recession and the pumping the system with money to protect jobs and the reductions we have seen are almost circular in their tales of woe. Job cuts mean reduction in spending, reduction in spending means companies need to be tighter with their budgets, more job cuts.
This makes me think about where the sustainability in all of this is. More jobs, a stronger economy means more for more right? We saw that a few years ago and that wasn't sustainable either.
The balance of wealth, stability of jobs and economy and the impact of consumption has not been figured out yet. And this topic is too big to try and break down in one posting, but I do think there is a model out there. Let's keep talking about it.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
corporate activism
I have started working for a company and now emerced in the world of the brand I have a different perspective than I did as a jane average consumer. I was an activist, arguing that brands should make big decisions and change their practices to improve the planet or people. I still feel this way, but the way in which this is carried out is far different than I thought.
Here are some things that consumer activists should take into consideration when pressuring a brand.
1. Brands actually listen. If your argument is well thought out and pokes holes in the corporate strategy of the brand, they won't ignore you. You might not get a letter back, but I bet you will spark some conversations inside.
2. You voice is being added to others who push brands, enough individuals saying the same thing makes change.
3. Change is slow, but it is happening. Companies are often designing and producing goods years in advance, what you are seeing on the market now was developed a year maybe two ago. So the pressure now will be the results in a year or two.
4. The issues are complex, treat them this way. You ask a company why they do something and there are so many factors that it is difficult to pin point one. Sourcing for instance isn't about chasing cheap labor only, it is about where raw materials come from, duties, labor, delivery, distance to market, relationships, past business and so many more.
5. Come to the table with answers or suggestions. Don't forget we are all people, and therefore not perfect. Your experience or insight might be refreshing enough that makes a brand listen. if your goal really is to make social and environmental change then be a part of the solution.
Here are some things that consumer activists should take into consideration when pressuring a brand.
1. Brands actually listen. If your argument is well thought out and pokes holes in the corporate strategy of the brand, they won't ignore you. You might not get a letter back, but I bet you will spark some conversations inside.
2. You voice is being added to others who push brands, enough individuals saying the same thing makes change.
3. Change is slow, but it is happening. Companies are often designing and producing goods years in advance, what you are seeing on the market now was developed a year maybe two ago. So the pressure now will be the results in a year or two.
4. The issues are complex, treat them this way. You ask a company why they do something and there are so many factors that it is difficult to pin point one. Sourcing for instance isn't about chasing cheap labor only, it is about where raw materials come from, duties, labor, delivery, distance to market, relationships, past business and so many more.
5. Come to the table with answers or suggestions. Don't forget we are all people, and therefore not perfect. Your experience or insight might be refreshing enough that makes a brand listen. if your goal really is to make social and environmental change then be a part of the solution.
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