Unified Vision Required for Green Procurement Success

Blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Company
Mar 3, 2011 3:03 PM ET

Taiga Company blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Compa…

Much of the popular press indicates that big business is beginning to shift its purchasing towards more sustainable or ‘green’ options.  Within our sustainability consulting practice, we find the procurement organizations are now placing an emphasis on environmental and social responsibility actions within in the supply chain.  So what exactly are these large organizations doing and what can the rest of us learn from their eco actions?

Green procurement is more than just choosing recycled paper for the printers or chemical free cleaning products.  A comprehensive business sustainability strategy goes far beyond  simply bringing more responsible choices in the business’s front door.   While choosing a ‘greener’ option is always preferable, companies on the leading edge of sustainability are implementing ‘green’ decision process into all areas of their business, including their procurement and supply chain functions.   Companies are focused on a few key broad areas: visibility, procurement governance, and supplier development.      What sets them apart?    A trademark of sustainable organizations is the ability to effectively manage the flow of information among key business stakeholder relationships.  The true differentiators are those who understand their supplier and customer relationships and have a fully aligned direction across the value chain.  With everyone focused and pulling in the same direction, sustainable supply chain management becomes a collective effort.   To get started, our sustainability consultants often ask business and supply chain organizational leaders a few simple questions from a green procurement perspective: click here to continue reading.
 

Home to one third of the earth's trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company's vision to drive similar change in the business world. Taiga Company seeks to be the "oxygen for your business".

TAIGA12188