The Sustainable MBA: The Manager’s Guide to Green Business

Author: Giselle Weybrecht

ISBN: 978-0-470-74114-6

Hardcover; 416 pages

Published in November 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Recommended Retail Price: US$34.95 / S$62.01

Available at all major bookstores

Book Review

The Sustainable MBA is for managers and business leaders who wish to learn and apply sustainable practices in their business. The author introduces green trends, explains various aspects of greening businesses, and shares a wide range of concepts, tools and guidelines.

The book is organized like a typical MBA programme with the coverage of core topics such as:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship
• Ethics and corporate governance
• Finance
• Marketing
• Operations
• Organizational behaviour
• Strategy

This is a comprehensive book that would give you a good overview of sustainability practices and tips on how to green your business.

Promotion for Green Business Times Readers

Readers in Singapore can now buy the book from John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd at a 20% discount from 9 Feb 2010 to 9 Mar 2010.

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Good to Green: Managing Business Risks and Opportunities in the Age of Environmental Awareness

Author: John-David Phyper and Paul MacLean

ISBN: 978-0-470-15942-2

Hardcover: 464 pages

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Recommended Retail Price: SGD 52.38 (including GST)

Available at all major bookstores

Book Review

Good to Green provides an in-depth analysis and guide for companies that wish to change and become a sustainable company. The authors provide comprehensive knowledge, trends and cases studies on sustainability based on their years of experience, and they managed to cover the various topics hot on the green agenda.

Some topics covered include:

In developing a green strategic plan, the authors emphasized the need for leadership and ongoing planning. The senior management must believe in fundamental change in how the company conducts business, and monitor the results of the strategic plan continuously. A green plan is not a one-time event nor is it about “cosmetic environmentalism”.

The company’s environmental management system should also be embedded into the general management systems and business software solutions, and not become isolated from other aspects of the business.

On eco design, companies should adopt a motto of “zero waste” to reduce costs and improve the environment. Companies also need to avoid toxic chemicals and manage the supply chain to reduce environmental risks.

For green marketing, the authors recommend that the product should be aligned with company values, and the focus should be making green normal. Companies should communicate their values through real action and not just talk about it.

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Promotion for Green Business Times Readers

Readers in Singapore can now buy the book from John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd at a 20% discount from 13 July 09 to 13 August 09.

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Smart Green: How to Implement Sustainable Business Practices in Any Industry – and Make Money

Author: Jonathan Estes

ISBN: 978-0-470-38779-5

Hardcover: 224 pages

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Recommended Retail Price: SGD 52.38 (including GST)

Available at all major bookstores

Book Review

Smart Green is a green resource guide for entrepreneurs and business leaders interested in creating sustainable businesses. There is no single definition of a green company or what sustainability means for every company, but the author managed to describe the steps for a company to become Smart Green, which includes the following:

Smart Green companies must first reflect on what it takes to be green and be aware of sustainability issues. They should become green-aware; bio-aware; socially-aware; energy-aware and regionally-aware.

Smart Green companies conduct a needs analysis through footprint analysis, product life cycle analysis, business relationship analysis, and cash flow analysis. The outcomes help in the preparing of a green mission statement, which includes goals and objectives, desired outcomes, and involving stakeholders.

When Smart Green companies work on their strategic planning, they understand the seven tiers of Smart Green growth:

1. Awareness of the Need for Change
2. Recognition of Implications
3. Analysis of Current State
4. Applying a Systems View Approach
5. Planning and Implementing a Strategy
6. Analysis of and Reflection on Outcomes and Impacts
7. Innovation, Creativity, Growth, and Meaning

Smart Green companies also measure sustainability outcomes based on the analytics approach that looks at financial outcomes, long-term strategies, return on investment, continuous growth and best practices.

Smart Green companies are led by leaders who are aware of environmental, social and economic indicators, and measure success on profit and the extended footprint of the company.

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Promotion for Green Business Times Readers

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Green Business Practices for Dummies

Author: Lisa Swallow

ISBN: 978-0-470-39339-0

Paperback; 384 pages

Recommended Retail Price: SGD 38.47 (including GST)

Available at all major bookstores

Book Review

Green Business Practices for Dummies is a practical and hands-on guide to help your company implement green practices throughout your organisation. It covers the creation of a sustainability vision and plan, the implementation of sustainability practices, involving stakeholders in your efforts, and measuring and reporting the results.

First, you will learn about the business case for sustainability, and understand the opportunities and challenges in going green. The book also helps you develop a sustainability plan for your company, including conducting a SWOT analysis, creating green goals, and planning initiatives to reach them.

Second, the book shows you what is needed to start implementing the green practices in your company. It includes greening your daily office practices, product development, production processes, building and facilities, and accounting and investment practices.

Third, you will learn about involving relevant stakeholders in your sustainability efforts, how to market to green consumers and promote your green products or services, working with non-profit organisations, and engaging your employees with green HR practices.

The last part of the book discusses the relevant standards and certifications available in the green market, shows you how to gather data and measure your organisation’s progress, and prepares you to create a sustainability report for your stakeholders.

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Promotion for Green Business Times Readers

Readers in Singapore can now buy the book from John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd at a 20% discount from 4 May 09 to 4 June 09.

1. Place your order to this email address: csd_ord@wiley.com or call: +65 6463 4604
2. Quote the ISBN of the book title
3. Quote the 4 digit promotion code to be entitled to the 20% discount – Promo Code 2401

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