Don’t Become a Target for Protesters

What you’ll gain from this article:

- practical guidance on developing and implementing a paper procurement policy that integrates environmental and business goals; and

- a six-step process for arriving at a policy that aligns with your corporate philosophy.

A catalog company’s environmental policy reflects the values of an organization and has an impact on relations with its stakeholders. Its implementation within your company will demonstrate your commitment to corporate responsibility. And it can significantly affect your company’s environmental footprint as well as its financial strength.

Effective environmental policies guide executives’ decision-making in ways that have real environmental and business consequences. Following are some strategies that have worked well for us at multititle catalog company Norm Thompson Outfitters. Perhaps some of these tactics will work at your company, too.

Step 1: Reflect

First ask why you want to draft an environmental policy, what you’d like it to accomplish and who your primary audiences are. What are your environmental and business goals, and how will the policy help you achieve them?

For example, do you want to position your catalog company as an environmental leader? Are you responding to — or trying to avoid — pressure from environmental activists? Or are you simply trying to keep pace with what seems to be an issue of rising importance in the marketplace?

How much does your company know about environmental issues, and are there particular ones that you care about?

Knowing answers to these questions will help you frame a realistic and useful policy.

Step 2: Learn More

Make no mistake, environmental issues can be complex, and there are a range of viewpoints on many issues. Believe it or not, some terms can be highly controversial.

To help you discern the right decision for your company and to demonstrate thoughtfulness to consumers (who, as you know, have access to a significant amount of information about you from the Web), reach out to stakeholders who are particularly relevant, such as: