CSR 2010: Emerging Career Choices in Supply Chain & Sustainability

Blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Company
Jan 6, 2011 2:27 PM ET

Taiga Company blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Compa…

Misconceptions of business sustainability as a passing trend are quickly falling by the wayside. Larger organizations, traditionally mistaken as burdened with a primary responsibility as change agents in the water, carbon, environment and climate change solutions are now shifting the burden to include suppliers. 

Seen as the savior for many organizations over the last few years, the procurement function is taking on a new roll in a recovering economy. The days of drastic cost reduction will likely be replaced with actions to rebuild and strengthen the supply chain.   How so?   Jobs and careers opportunities in supply chain and sustainability   Replacing cost reduction with sustainable supply chain management as a strategic function within the company has proven to be both a value opportunity and in some cases, a requirement for doing business. 2010 marked new rules in the supply chain field with IBM, Proctor & Gamble, Wal-Mart, and other larger organizations now requiring suppliers to capture data on their energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and waste and recycling.   What does this mean to unprepared organizations? The business risks of carbon, water, and climate change disclosure takes many forms:       * • Potential increase in operating cost     * • Potential increase in supply costs     * • Potential disruptions to supply or loss of supplier relationships     * • Potential loss of revenue or market share     * • Potential to business reputation     * • Potential inability to secure investment dollars or capital   Creating supply chain management alignment through increased eco awareness, cooperative business relationships, and applied sustainability concepts can have immediate business impacts and reduce business sustainability risk. Incorporating sustainability concepts into business relationships creates, at a minimum, line of sight across the value chain. This visibility provides a path to the greater value of alignment and engagement.  Click here to continue reading.  

Home to one third of the earth's trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company's vision to drive similar change in the business world. Taiga Company seeks to be the "oxygen for your business".

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