/C O R R E C T I O N -- Inforum/
In the news release, Inforum Presents 'Understanding Sustainability ... and How To Make It Work for You', issued yesterday, April 17, by Inforum over PR Newswire, the organization's website and phone Hosted by Inforum, A Professional Women's Alliance
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Inforum, Michigan's premier organization for professional women, will present a luncheon forum on "Understanding Sustainability... And How to Make it Work for You" on Tuesday, April 29. A panel of experts in business, government and education will reveal what the "triple bottom line" model of business operation is and how it can impact a company's bottom line, the environment and society. They will share valuable tips on how this strategy can be applied to all aspects of life and why community welfare is linked to individual and organizational welfare.
Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2008
"The triple bottom line approach to business management is based on trying to integrate the three Es -- economics, environment, and ethical social responsibilities -- not just concentrating on economics as businesses often did when they issued their financial reports. If these three pillars of sustainability are not in balance, a business will not be on a track to sustainability," explains Inforum presenter Mary Ellen Mika, LEED-AP, CPM, Supply Chain Manager, Energy and Environment, for Steelcase. Mika also works with products that are rated "cradle to cradle certified" by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry based on their impact on the environment -- from gathering and transporting raw materials to the production facility, to the production process, to the materials used to make the product, to distribution, then what happens to the product once it is no longer used. Products that have the least negative impact on the environment throughout their life cycle may be eligible for an "eco-label" such as MBDC's "cradle to cradle certification." For example, Steelcase's Think Chair is rated highly because of the materials and process used to make the chair, and that it's easy to disassemble to be recycled or perhaps easily stored for future use instead of ending up as a bulky piece in a land fill. Inforum presenter Marylu Dykstra, Principal, Sirius Resources, cites her own lifestyle as an example of how simple it can be for small businesses or individuals to work towards sustainability. Dykstra works from home and says, "If I can't work virtually, I group meetings so my time on the road is reduced, helping both my financial and environmental bottom lines." Addressing the social justice perspective of sustainability, she gives discounts on professional services she provides to non-profit organizations, helping them work within limited budgets. To hear more examples of how businesses can benefit from sustainable business operations, attend the Inforum "Understanding Sustainability" dinner hosted by Inforum and sponsored by Miller Canfield and co-Sponsored by Cascade Engineering. With more than 2,200 members from a broad cross-section of Michigan's business community, Inforum is one of the largest and most prestigious business forums for women in the nation. The mission of the organization is to strengthen the business environment by creating opportunities for women to lead and succeed. Founded as the Women's Economic Club in 1962 in Detroit, Inforum has affiliates in Grand Rapids and Lansing, Michigan. For more information, visit www.inforummichigan.org or call 877.633.3500. First Call Analyst:
CONTACT: Judy Welch, Inforum West Michigan Regional Manager, Web site: http://www.inforummichigan.org/ NOTE TO EDITORS: To arrange a pre-event interview with any of the speakers in this program, or to make media reservations to attend this event at no charge, contact Judy Welch, Inforum West Michigan Regional Manager, at 616.913.0206 or jwelch@inforummichigan.org.
2008-04-18 16:44:20 0339879 PRNEWSWIRE
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