My usual role is to observe and ask cleaver questions. This week, the role was reversed and I was interviewed by “Curiosity Matters“. Curiosity Matters is a popular blog by Molly Aaker and she writes about a diverse subject matter related to creativity, strategy, design and business.
Here is an excerpt from the interview and check out the whole interview at Curiosity Matters:
MA: At your current job, you help multi-national corporations develop their IT strategy. How did this job lead to supporting sustainability practices?
SS: The multi-national corporations are looking into cost reduction by being efficient. Going green should really bring an efficiency to the corporations when it is planned well. So, many corporations asked me how to be green and efficient in their IT solutions and that is how I started looking at sustainability very seriously.
MA:Sustainability on a corporate level can cover everything from LEED certified buildings, to energy efficient server management and increased recycling. What sustainability efforts can have the most positive impact on the environment?
SS: That is a great question. I believe that starting with the sustainability projects that can be easily translated into cost reduction would most likely have the biggest impact on a CEO’s decision to get further involved in the sustainability effort. As a result, it will lead to the most positive impact on the environment.
MA: What companies have served as examples to the sustainability movement?
SS: There are several such as Google and Whole Foods. I am particularly impressed by the effort of Patagonia, an out-door clothing brand. I wrote about them in a post on Ampleen, ”What’s the Responsible Company?”
MA: Although caring for the environment has gone mainstream, I’m sure it can still be difficult to convince companies to be sustainable especially if there are extra costs involved. How do you do this?
SS: As mentioned earlier, companies, especially public companies, are looking into being efficient and need justification for every spending. But, like the new Bank of America Tower, if the green initiatives can prove great savings over time, the key stake holders are more likely to be receptive about the projects.
MA: What keeps you motivated to become more involved in the sustainability movement?
SS: When I see some positive changes, rather than negatives facts, I feel compelled to get more involved in the movement. For instance, I started seeing more people coming to the Union Sq. green market in last a few years and being interested in what it’s all about. I am excited to see the change and like to see more of that.
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