co-sponsored by the Michael G. Foster School of Business's Retail Management Program and the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce* * Chamber members call (206) 543-8650 for 20% off registration

Why are the world’s largest retailers driving sustainability throughout their value chain? What can you learn about sustainability practices from major companies such as Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, IKEA, Starbucks and REI? How can sustainable policies impact brand and business value? What are the financial and strategic benefits of embracing sustainability?

This intensive two-day seminar explores why and how many of the nation’s most successful businesses are integrating sustainability into their operations and branding strategies. You will come away with a clear understanding of the key principles of sustainability as well as specific tools to begin developing a plan for your organization. If you already have sustainability policies, you can learn next steps and how to better measure their effectiveness on your business, community and the natural world.

FOCUSED TOPICS INCLUDE

• The Business Case for Sustainability: Benefits and Drivers - What are the business advantages of sustainability? What are the driving forces behind the public’s growing concern for corporate responsibility and sustainability? Discover why sustainability is becoming part of the strategy and operations of some of the biggest names in business.
• Frameworks for Understanding Sustainability - Identify a range of useful, leading-edge mental models and thinking tools for understanding and implementing sustainability including: The Natural Step, Natural Capitalism, Cradle-to-Cradle and Sustainability Management Systems.
• Product and Supply Chain - Understand the public’s growing concern about the integrity of the retail supply chain — including labor practices in the manufacture of product, the chemicals in both products and packaging, the ecological footprint of store operations, and the end-of-life disposition of every product. These fundamental issues affect the continuing license to operate for many retailers and suppliers.
  
• Store Operations and Facilities - The move to more sustainable facilities and store operations is one of the hottest trends in business today. Whether you operate from owned or leased premises, you need to understand the principles of sustainable operations and facilities — including LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — and how to benefit from them.
• Picking the Low Hanging Fruit - What are the best practices for realizing early financial wins from sustainability? Learn the fundamentals of eco-efficiency — improving the bottom line while reducing your business’ ecological footprint.
• Organizational Culture Change - How many change initiatives fail because companies are unskilled in the principles and practices of effective and long-lasting culture change? Find out about effective practices for ensuring that the improvements you implement are themselves sustainable.
• Metrics and Measurement - You want to know and your customers want proof: are you really moving towards greater sustainability? Learn about the principles and practices of measuring progress toward sustainability to satisfy your many stakeholders — from members of your board of directors to concerned citizens in the communities where you operate.
  
  

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Senior executives of organizations accountable for the continued success, profitability and long-term survival of their company
• Retail managers responsible for implementing corporate strategy as well as responding to evolving consumer tastes and expectations
• Brand managers, product designers and marketing professionals who want to communicate the value of sustainability
• Professional advisors, such as lawyers and accountants, who need to understand the changing standards of responsible retail practice
• Real estate development executives and entrepreneurs who want to understand the growing movement toward retail sustainability, including the trend toward LEED standards in both stand-alone and leasehold premises
  

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

Return to work equipped with new strategies and tools to:

• Understand the sustainability imperative in today’s marketplace
• Learn the business value and benefits of sustainability
• Integrate sustainability into branding and marketing
• Drive better financial results through applied sustainability
• Measure and communicate the business value of sustainability
• Develop an effective sustainability strategy

WHY BUSINESSES SPONSOR

Organizations that sponsor executives and managers to attend the Building Brand & Value Through Sustainable Business Practices seminar gain the knowledge to realize corporate value, improve brand identity, and manage organizational risk. Other benefits include the ability to improve customer and community relations as well as work with both suppliers and customers from a more informed basis of sustainability practice and know-how.

SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

LOCATION

Michael G. Foster School of Business Bank of America Executive Education Center University of Washington Main Campus Seattle, WA 98195 view a map

FACULTY

	Brian F. Nattrass, PhD Managing Partner, Sustainability Partners, Inc. Batten Fellows, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration University of Virginia
	Mary Nattrass, MA Managing Partner, Sustainability Partners, Inc. Batten Fellows, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration University of Virginia
Brian and Mary Nattrass are Managing Partners of Sustainability Partners, Inc., one of North America’s leading consulting firms on sustainable enterprise. Strategic advisors to some of the largest retailers in the world, they also serve as consultants to other complex organizations such as NASA and the US military. Brian and Mary are each Batten Fellows of the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia, and also lecture at the USAF Staff College and the US Army War College. They are the authors of three books on the practice of sustainability in organizations, including the best sellers Dancing with the Tiger: Learning Sustainability Step by Natural Step, and its predecessor The Natural Step for Business: Wealth, Ecology and the Evolutionary Corporation, which are used by businesses, government agencies, and universities around the world.

WAYS TO REGISTER FOR THIS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

• Online
  • October 8-9, 2008
• Call (206) 543-8560 (Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce members please call to receive a 20% discount)
• E-mail execed@u.washington.edu