I’M NOT REALLY an all or nothing sort of woman. I am a big fan of incremental improvement, the cumulative effect of making small but better choices over time … the do better today than you did yesterday school of thought. For me, done is better than perfect and waiting for perfect just means nothing ever gets done.
It’s definitely the approach I take toward the environment. I recycle at home. I own reusable straws. I mostly use eco-friendly cleaning products. I choose organic where I can, have reduced my consumption of meat and swapped what I do eat for free-range, grass fed or sustainably farmed whenever possible.
But I’m also “aging gracefully” with all the scientifically engineered help I can get, recently bought a big jug of chlorine bleach to combat the coronavirus, and will never be able to completely give up the cold, sweet chemical deliciousness that is Diet Coke.
The point is, I do what I can and I appreciate businesses that do the same. In our industry we have a growing roster of companies that are making small changes to improve their social good or environmental impact. Like Morel swapping out its old packing material for compostable peanuts and Eastman’s new Acetate Renew material made of biobased and certified recycled content soon to be available from Mazzucchelli. On page 24, we have a whole slew of brands giving back to LGBTQ youth, teachers, animals, and people in need; while Latest Releases (page 26) features a few eco-friendly styles new to the market.
These small steps are important for a long term improvement. Regardless of your political affiliation or where you fall on the issue of climate change, I don’t think anyone is effectively arguing in favor of poisoning the planet.
And it’s not just small changes to save the planet, they can save your business too. We’re living in uncertain times. Exert a little control over the fate of your business by checking out our Big Story — Recession-Proof Your Business — on page 34 for some ideas on how to combat the financial turmoil this global pandemic has thrown us all into. We only wish we had published it sooner.
Small changes repeated over time can change the world… and they can certainly benefit your business.
Best wishes for your business,
Five Smart Tips From This Issue
1. Few things are as feel-good as cute animals in glasses… and yep, there is a week dedicated to that. (Calendar, page 18)
2. After a slowdown in business, get buzz going again with a contest. We tell how to host one. (The Social Eye, page 18)
3. Forget monetary bonuses, give the people what they want: pizza and compliments. (Tip Sheet, page 50)
4. Wondering how to structure (or improve) your new staff onboarding program? Readers shared what they do… with lots more online. (Do You or Don’t You, page 66)
5. Cut the BS and make sure you aren’t just parroting nonsense. (Columns, page 62)