Sustainability Innovation in Three Parts

The easiest way to spur innovation in your organization is to set some challenging sustainable business goals.

If you're looking to add sustainability innovation to your company, GreenBiz has an informative blog series on how to do it. The articles, from the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS), is a great guide for companies who know that innovation and sustainability to be the key to their company's success.

But how do you implement it? Innovation and sustainability aren't mutually exclusive, and reinforce each other. "The easiest way to spur innovation in your organization is to set some challenging sustainable business goals."

According to the NBS, there are three types of sustainable companies or stages. The first is operational optimization – doing the same things better; organizational transformation – doing good by doing new things; and systems building – doing good by doing new things with others.

There are also three steps for sustainable innovation for business:

• Take small steps for big gains
• Designing products to meet your goals
• Develop partnerships to reach sustainability potential

"Innovation involves reaching out beyond the walls of your own organization. Done right, it can push your company to the pinnacle of sustainable business practice."

The series is a great read for any business looking at implementing sustainable and innovative practices to guide their sustainability policies.