Let's Get Started!

The purpose of this blog is to explore sustainable workplaces (and later, communities). I haven't seen much on this topic in the business community, so I decided to start working on a book. Why not a blog to discuss the concept, get feedback on various thoughts, and actively search for examples and interesting people to interview on this topic?

The closest that I have seen to a book on this topic was The Natural Advantage by Alan Heeks. I didn't particularly care for the book, but there were some valid points. Since then, there has been a flurry of articles on greening the workplace. These articles focus on energy and water conservation, recycling, and green building. That's only part of the equation. I want to concentrate on employment practices that help organizations be sustainable.

What do I mean by a sustainable organization? Merriam-Webster online defines "sustainable" as:
1: capable of being sustained2 a: of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged b: of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods

Obviously, the first requirement of a sustainable organization is that it continue to exist. If we assume the organization is a business, then profit would be a fundamental requirement. However, my focus is on the rest of the definition, with a focus on human resources. What HR programs and policies promote the sustainable use of people?

I have many thoughts about this issue and would like to have a discussion to help clarify and expand those thoughts as I work on a book.

Thanks in advance for your ideas and comments over the next few months.