Episode 43: The One About Sustainability

Consultants Saying Things

Consultants often help clients think about complex problems with few easy answers. There are almost always trade-offs to be made, regulations to follow, expenses to incur all while trying to run a business and make a profit.

One of the most complex issues involving tough decisions is around how best to utilize business (or national) resources in a manner that ensures the business (or nation) can continue to grow and thrive in a way that doesn't negatively impact everyone else.

Are you an oil company looking at how you'll be in business in 40 years if no one is buying gasoline or oil-based plastics? What alternative product lines should you be looking at?

Are you a search-engine giant that uses more electricity than some countries to power your data centers? How do you supply that business need without causing brownouts? Solar? Wind? Fusion?

Are you a Northeastern Pennsylvania-based mid-size paper company that uses a lot of trees? Perhaps finding a way to make your product from fast-growing varieties like bamboo instead of old-growth oak is a good way to ensure your business can continue to make product into the future.

Decisions... some forced by the State, some forced by shareholders, others just good business planning, others perhaps totally altruistic. Sounds like an opportunity for a consultant looking to make a difference.

I gathered my friends to discuss Sustainability and opportunities in that space. Along with Oliver Cronk, Whynde Kuehn and Phil Yanov, I was joined by Jonathan Gibbard who is a Business Unit Director for Sustainable Infrastructure & Operations at Ricardo Energy & Environment in the UK.

In this Episode:

• What do we really mean by Sustainability?
• What is driving companies to invest in Sustainable practices?
• What is the state of the Sustainable Consulting industry?
• Where are there career opportunities in this space for new or experienced consultants?
• What does a consulting engagement look like that deals with Sustainability?
• Who has the worst middle-name combo, Chris or Oliver?

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