This is the Safari online edition of the printed book.

Better Green Business brings together practical insights and start-to-finish strategies for moving any enterprise to a higher level of environmental stewardship. Drawing on his extensive experience at IBM, Dr. Eric G. Olson shows how to systematically drive “win-win-win” gains: growing top-line revenue, helping customers increase efficiency, and improving the environment at the same time.

Olson introduces powerful business process transformation methodologies and technologies for increasing operational efficiency and reducing waste, including IBM’s breakthrough Green Sigma approach. He also identifies new opportunities to drive value by “instrumenting the planet” and introduces the technologies that make this possible. Finally, he assesses long-term trends that will make “green business” increasingly crucial in the coming years.

• Defining “green strategy” and crafting transformation plans that work
  Complementing traditional strategy, improving operations, and making green strategy actionable

• Using Green Sigma to reduce environmental impact and drive business value
  Includes a detailed case study on reducing enterprise carbon emissions and costs

• Instrumenting the planet for a more intelligent, sustainable world
  New technology innovations and solutions for environmental stewardship

• Anticipating the future of green business--and all business
  Critical resource and environmental trends that will reshape business management

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 1 Ratings

Going 'green' may cost too much green... - 2010-01-18
Reviewer Rating:
The subtitle of this book, Strategy, Methods and Solutions for Environmental Stewardship, provoked my interest; it sounded like a handbook for businesses, filled with tips for employers on reducing waste. As a small-business operator--and personal conservationist--I eagerly sought helpful information betwixt the pages, expecting studies on low-flow toilets, an emphasis on green-building techniques or a campaign for replacing cellulose products with e-paper. However, after reading the book a more pertinent subtitle presented itself: Controversial Business Criticism with Little Practical Application.

Knowing that most folks already want clean air and water, I was a bit surprised at the number of dire warnings reiterated throughout the piece. Olsen had several inspired and techno-savvy suggestions for corporate change but seemed unaware of their cost to the average business. Oddly, several "green" businesses--like Burt's Bees--were referred to in the "endnotes" but not mentioned in the prose. I must also note that the advance copy I received does not indicate anywhere that it was printed on recycled paper.

Olsen's emphasis on resource conservation is appreciated and admirable, but the book appears to focus on why rather than how green solutions can be plausibly implemented, without generating higher consumer costs.

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