With globalization, inter-dependencies between firms, nations, and resources have arisen that previously never existed. Peter Senge, author of "The Fifth Discipline", explains that the decline in opportunities for further industrial expansion is coupled with the growing realization by individuals, companies and governments that the side effects of the industrial expansion are unsustainable, if not toxic. To break through the uncertainties of the future, sustainability offers a systems thinking approach, or one that embraces the natural systems principles articulated by William McDonough. The emphasis on a green economy by the current administration as the path to new jobs is one worth exploring a little further. Is sustainability a sound strategy for driving company growth? Or is it primarily a reflection of personal commitment to an eco-friendly philosophy on the part of corporate leaders. Is it both? In what industries does a green strategy make sense, and in which industries given their current profit models, make it a poor choice?

Where

e-mail will be sent to registered participants
Downtown - Loop
Chicago, Illinois

Event Details

Join us for a conversation on these topics at the next Strategic Management Practices Issues Group discussion. In preparation, please read one or more of the following: http://sloanreview.mit.edu/beyond-green/sustainability-its-not-what-you-think-it-is/ , an interview with Peter Senge, author of "The Fifth Discipline and The Necessary Revolution." http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/09/18/green-manufacturing-the-next-great-leap-forward/ by David Dornfeld, the Will C. Hall Family Chair in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at University of California Berkeley. He leads the Laboratory for Manufacturing and Sustainability (LMAS), and he writes the Green Manufacturing blog. This is a very short piece on the evolution to Green manufacturing. Tony Meggs: “Driving Sustainability Through Collaboration” Meggs is Group Vice-President, Technology for BP. http://www.touchoilandgas.com/driving-sustainability-through-collaboration-a161-1.html We strongly encourage you to take in this short online video, a talk from architect William McDonough who talks about sustainability at: http://www.talkitect.com/2009/05/william-mcdonough-on-cradle-to-cradle.html And as a supplement you may also find this recent Harvard Business Review article of interest: Ram Nidumolu, C.K. Prahalad, and M.R. Rangaswami: "Why Sustainability Is Now the Key Driver of Innovation” from the September 2009 issue of the Harvard Business Review. For those of you who don't subscribe to HBR here's the link to the executive summary, which also gives you the link to purchase the article: http://hbr.harvardbusiness.org/2009/09/why-sustainability-is-now-the-key-driver-of-innovation/ib These loop (LaSalle Street) breakfast discussion sessions, sponsored by the Chicago Booth Alumni Club, are designed to be highly interactive, providing a forum of particular value to alumni responsible for developing, influencing or executing enterprise strategies and policies. Attendance is limited to 20 people so that everyone who attends will have ample opportunity to join the discussion. The meetings are held at 11 South LaSalle Street (SE corner of Madison and LaSalle). Meetings start promptly at 7:30 AM and end promptly at 8:45 AM. Start your Friday morning by updating your MBA, discussing the latest management concepts with fellow Booth alums, extending your network, and still make it to the office by 9 AM.

Cost

No Charge

Registration

Register Online

Deadline: 10/15/2009

Questions

Bob Rieder 

847.826.0208