Twitter, Facebook, and Blogging: The Three Pillars of Sustainability Communications?

Blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Company
Feb 2, 2012 1:30 PM ET

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

The requirements to build and maintain a sustainable business today are quite different than they were just ten years ago.  The triple bottom line, also known as people, planet, profit is recognized by sustainability professionals as the the three pillars of sustainability.  In essence -a process by which firms manage their financial, social and environmental risks, obligations and opportunities.      Companies on the leading edge are evaluating the economic, social and environmental impacts that will ultimately affect profitability.  Green business practices are becoming more and more the norm, as companies both large and small realize the value of integrating eco awareness and sustainability concepts into their operations and business strategies.  But, how are small and large sized businesses communicating their sustainability successes?   Is it possible that Twitter, Facebook, and blogging could be the three pillars of sustainable communications?  Two recent posts, Business Blogging for a Sustainable Purpose  and Who are the Tweeps Tweeting for A Better Green Brand? explore the value of social media for sustainability communications.  Our friend Fabian Pattberg asks,  Facebook – A useful Sustainability and CSR platform?   Mirroring thoughts on the subject include those found in the post, Sustainability Professionals + Facebook = Worth It?    With sustainability concepts and definitions still subject to interpretation and debate, there are challenges to effectively and clearly communicating the business sustainability message.   Facebook offers opportunities to engage differently with stakeholders compared to the other platforms.    Consumers, prospects, potential business partners require different levels of stakeholder engagement and buy in to your company as well as to your definition of business sustainability.  While Facebook may or may not be the most dynamic platform, there are ways to make a sustainability social media marketing strategy work for you.    

If you are looking for more information on how to use Facebook to grow your sustainability practice of create social media success for your business, consider checking out our 8 -week, self-guided, online course called Social Media for Sustainability Professionals. It includes an entire section devoted to Facebook (with additional sections focused on websites, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogging, Google+ and more!)—including the difference between a Facebook profiles and pages, privacy issues, tactics for growing your fan base, and mistakes to avoid. 

 

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".