No matter how hard we work around here, there are always moments at Stewart Perry when we need to stop and look at the flowers. And the trees. And the lake. One of the wonderful things about our building is how easy it is to do just that. Built with sustainability and green initiatives in mind, there are plenty of expansive windows that allow the sunlight to stream in, and our eyes to occasionally gaze out at the beauty of our property.
It’s been proven time and time again that happy employees work smarter and more efficiently. That said, it’s not a big jump to say that sustainability and the work environment can go hand in glove to increase profits. It’s a hidden bottom-line benefit in implementing sustainable practices in business.
Our folks are energized when they are able to look outside and see the trees and feel the sunlight. It creates a sense of goodwill that helps boost productivity. On a deeper level, they know how our building was put together, and that by working here they are lowering their impact on the environment. It increases pride and ownership. In addition, when they leave they can spread the word about the numerous benefits of green initiatives. In a sense, we are leveraging what we have done here all across our communities.
To me, sustainability is an investment, and the payback can come in areas that do not directly show up on the financial ledger. Green initiatives can improve both public perception and employee morale. Plus, promoting environmental and social stewardship simply is the right thing to do. And when such initiatives are properly implemented, financial growth can also occur. Internal PR and external PR sewn together with good moral fiber—it’s a triple bottom line.
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I appreciate your article and I’ve seen both sides of the debate. I have to side with you that the benefits extend far beyond dollars and cents. The challenge is overcoming the the lack of those big three letters to developers – ROI. It’s also a shame that the certification process seems to be all or nothing (even though there are different medals and plateaus). In my experience, if an owner cannot achieve at least the silver classification, then they don’t even bother considering any of the other sustainable actions or materials – even when the cost is in the same ballpark. There’s still a sizable hurdle out there.