Think Like A Consultant features interviews that explain a wide range of consulting careers. This interview is with Green Consultant, Roxanne Dean, who shares her expertise on Green Consulting.
TLAC: Many people have heard of Green Consultants, but aren’t quite sure what they do. Can you enlighten us?
Roxanne: There are many types of Green Consultants. I work as a Certified Green Consultant™ to help organizations evaluate and improve their internal practices and processes in terms of environmental impact. We design and develop a green tactical action plan and assist in the implementation of the green strategies that will be most effective and beneficial for each organization.
TLAC: I imagine green consultants have their own set of challenges, in particular, because the public is undereducated about the environment.
Roxanne: We do. There are so many popular new buzzwords circulating in the business world now⎯sustainable, carbon footprint reduction, eco-friendly and green, to name a few. While these terms become increasingly more common, the interesting thing is that most businesses don’t know where to begin or fully understand what it takes to be a “Green Business”. This is where a Certified Green Consultant™ can help.
TLAC: So green consultants help organizations adopt environmentally friendly practices?
Roxanne: Right. But we also work with employees, providing employee awareness training so the entire organization is on board. We also provide monthly management guidance, which will give the decision makers new ideas to build upon to ultimately become a Certified Green Business™.
TLAC: How would you define a green business?
Roxanne: Green businesses use their business as a tool for social change. They are “values-driven,” not simply profit-driven. Green businesses are committed to employing extraordinary and innovative people and practices. These businesses will choose to spend a little money now and wait a little while for their ROI. They will do this in exchange for helping to reduce their energy usage, water usage and most importantly reducing the health impact their business has on their employees, their customers, the community and the environment.
TLAC: What drives a business to want to go green?
Roxanne: Most small or home based businesses that want to become certified are already actively green at home and try to be at the office. Larger businesses can save money by going green, so this is a big incentive. A green organization realizes that implementing certain green practices not only helps the environment, but also increases their marketability and ultimately lowers their bottom line costs.
TLAC: How long do you work with a business to facilitate their green business certification?
Roxanne: The time frame for becoming a Certified Green Business™ varies case by case. While some businesses are already aware of their environmental impact and that of their supply chain, others will need more help and guidance along the way. The majority of organizations should expect the first level of certification to take approximately 10 weeks.
TLAC: So is that it? Is there more for the consultant to do after certification?
Roxanne: Actually, most organizations want to continue to achieve a higher level of certification and will continue to implement new green strategies, ultimately moving to the next level of certification. The consultant will follow the business for as long as the organization chooses to stay certified, providing services for the ongoing identification and monitoring of additional potential improvements.
TLAC:: Can you give us some simple examples of the changes you might help an organization implement?
Roxanne: We help organizations change their internal processes, which doesn’t need to be expensive or confusing. For example, I might help an office change over to web-based or disc based documentation storage and e-faxing to reduce the use of paper. Green businesses might start using castile soap in the restrooms or a Green Cleaning Service to clean or perhaps they would install microbe-removing air filters. Another green practice I encourage is installing a capacitor that can lower the electricity usage or installing faucets that lower water usage. The Green Consultant™ has the knowledge and training to make it easy.
Roxanne has said it very well. The challenge of our hour is setting a standard for Green rather than an “Anything Goes” approach. Earning a Green Business Certification should not come from a mere website offering a logo for a flimsy promise to Go Green. This is every person’s task and frankly requires more than a passing effort.
I commend Roxanne for standing out in a world of Proxy Green,” “Token Green,” and “Charitably Green” to offer a solution that allows a business to be truly Green Certified Business.
Roxanne’s interview is right on the mark. Roxanne and I received our training and certification together. There is an underlying passion and drive from the green consultant business. Many are out there with no training or real direction. What Roxanne, and those of us who are certified green consultants offer is a well constructed plan that moves businesses along the road to a greener, more socially responsible, and more profitable future. We offer a national certification that must be earned through real change. Kudos to Roxanne.
Proven System? Where has it been used? Who are some of your clients? What evidence is there to back up these claims?
Please feel free to email me directly,
I will be happy to answer any questions or concerns
e.c.o.roxanne@gmail.com
Thank you!
Roxanne Dean