I’d have to say there were some definite positives to the shakeup that took place alongside this recession. Businesses began looking at their bottom lines with magnifying glasses. Some negative results of that were, of course, layoffs. However, this also provided companies with opportunities to see how starting or further developing an existing environmental-awareness program (such as recycling, decreased energy use and so forth) could not only help their corporate image, but also positively affect their bottom line.
So, you now have this great combination of a lot of companies in the green/clean technologies and products arena as well as more traditional companies trying to “clean up” their act. I feel this is great news for our local area, as we’ve traditionally been ahead of the curve in eco-awareness, so it stands to reason that companies in this area are in the best position to benefit from the increased eco-enthusiasm among the general population.
Businesses take action
Some sectors are going to take longer to rebound than others. An example of one of the industries hardest hit is construction and development. As an extension of that, we’ve been very sad to see many of our green building products clients take a huge hit these last couple of years. Once construction starts to increase, though, building products will soon follow. When will this happen? It’s anyone’s guess at this point. But, even the downturn in the construction industry has a silver lining. There may not be a lot of new construction going on, but there is a lot of updating of existing structures—and a lot of these updates are focused on increased energy efficiency.
One area that’s already starting to see an upswing is clean-tech. Although clean-tech encompasses many different industries, in general, it’s a term used to describe any product or service that improves performance, productivity or efficiency while reducing costs, energy consumption, waste or pollution. To give you an idea of the kind of money flowing into clean-tech, according to a preliminary tally by the Cleantech Group and Deloitte, more than $2 billion in venture funding went toward clean-tech companies just in the second quarter of 2010.
So far in 2010, the bulk of the positions we’ve been filling have been in engineering, sales and operations at the management through senior executive level. A lot of our clients are scrambling to bring new products to market, and they want a solid team in place to do so quickly and efficiently. Also, there have been some big changes at the executive level—and not only replacements, as one may think. Instead, companies that a year ago had one person wearing multiple hats (holding the role of both CFO and COO, for example) are now getting to a point where they can afford two separate people filling those positions.
Another area of growth, this one being driven by consumers, is the demand for more durable and long-lasting products across various sectors. Consumers are beginning to see that often, cheaper isn’t better—particularly as it relates to the environmental impact of buying single-use items and then sending those items to our landfills. Consumers are looking for products that will last longer, perhaps fill multiple needs and/or that can be recycled. This is potentially great news for local manufacturers, because if consumers are willing to pay a premium for higher-quality, longer-lasting items, consumer products companies will be able to take on the additional cost of manufacturing here in the United States (versus a lower cost outsourcing option for lower-quality goods).
So, this begs the question: How can you get involved?
As a business owner, it’s been proven that adopting environmentally focused initiatives and corporate social responsibility programs not only improves your brand image, but also improves employee morale and lowers turnover. Employees tend to stay where they’re inspired. It can be as simple as creating a recycling or composting program, or donating employee time to volunteer at local nonprofits. Thanks to social media, we’re well into the era of “informed consumerism,” meaning customers—and potential customers—have access to a staggering amount of information about your company. Being aggressive about your corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts is one more way to stand apart from your competitors.
Finding a green job
As a job seeker, there are a lot of things to keep in mind. If you’re looking to move into an eco-company, it certainly helps if you’re genuinely interested in the environment. When discussing an open position with a client company, after we talk about what experience the ideal candidate would need, we discuss the company’s culture and what kind of person would fit best. Without fail, you know what the first thing they almost always say is, “Green conscious.” Environmentally focused businesses tend to be led by passionate people who often started the business with one main target in mind: to make a difference. They want people who aren’t only going to help the bottom line, but who’ll also be enthusiastic about growing the business with an end goal of making the maximum possible positive impact on the planet.
I’m of the opinion that we’re on an economic upswing. Things are definitely moving in a positive direction overall, and I see things continuing to improve, albeit slowly, over the next several years. It’s becoming more the rule than the exception that both companies and consumers are moving toward being more “green.” For companies, this is a great time to look at how to extend reach into this trend. Making sure the next people you hire will help fulfill this vision is key. If you’re someone looking to make your next career move into a more environmentally conscious company, be proactive. Find the companies that inspire you most and actively pursue an opportunity with them. In the end, one thing remains constant: If you’re doing something you love and believe in, it never feels like a “job.”
