Reply To: Exercise 3: 5 Close Contacts
by Evelyn Wallace
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5. Choice of project: Sustainability Leadership workshop targeted to small business owners in La Grande.
4. Before I counted, I thought for sure everybody voted for idea number 5 (i.e. sustainability leadership workshops for small business owners in La Grande), but after I counted, I realized that there was actually more of an even split.
-Small business votes: 3 people voted as first place
-Expanding social work curriculum: 2 people voted as tie for first place
-School-age kids after school-program: 2 people voted as tie for first pace & 1 person voted for second place
3. For reflections, see prior/ above post
2. The improved version of the project is that I learned to say “triple bottom line” before I say “sustainability leadership”?
1. List of advice I received for the winning project idea:
-Emphasize affordability of sustainability
-offer adventure; include sense of adventure (business trips can be adventure and sustainable)
-help business owners make sustainability a habit (and teach them that habits can change)
-consider their schedules/ capacity to attend yet another training
-small business owners are practical, so don’t lead with “I’m going to help you identify your values!” Switch to “…fulfill your values AND improve your bottom line!” They don’t have time to “natter” (their word)
-recognize that small business owners want to connect with like-minded folks as networking
-present sustainability in a non-ideological way
-remember to use sustainability as being the same as cost-effectiveness
-don’t do full-day workshops; consider how to pulse
-consider on-site coaching
-be aware that even small business models are different, maybe a one-size fits all model won’t work
-look into subsidies and incentives for sustainability measures small business owners can take
-conduct a needs assessment with the small business community (do they really need what you think they need?)
-prioritize financial element. Sustainability equals earning a living!