Stefan Doering is a business coach located in New York with a great Weekly Power Booster newsletter. If you aren’t already acquainted with Stefan’s work, visit his Website, www.beunreasonble.com. He is also a faculty member of CERC (Center for Environmental Research and Conservation) a division of the world renowned Earth Institute, teaching Environmental Intrapreneurism and Environmental Entrepreneurism at Columbia University.

I’ve been learning on a weekly basis from Stefan’s inspirational lessons, well chosen quotes, and unique insights into the business world.

I’m really happy to be able to share his thoughts and responses to my questions plus this wonderful “extra” introduction/rant. I love Stefan’s passion for everything he does and tries to communicate and share with his clients. As entrepreneurs, I think we all admire that as an essential quality that goes toward what an entrepreneur is.

Enjoy!

What if we don't consider ourselves particularly as environmental entrepreneurs?

That is completely OK. The way the planet is heading, at an incredibly rapid pace, you will absolutely need to adapt soon. The key is when you chose to do this… before the hordes of entrepreneurs do it or following the gold rush to the scene after everyone else is there.

In more precise terminology, the first mover advantage of being at the scene before others cannot be minimized. I am speaking with hundreds of entrepreneurs that consider themselves “clueless” in the environmental arena, yet they are starting to do some basic things in their businesses and doing some reading, hiring me or taking one of my classes.

What I tell people is none of us are experts in this field of environmental entrepreneurism. We’re all figuring this one out together as we go along. I am fortunate enough that I am surrounded by some of the most brilliant “environmental” scientists on the planet at the Earth Institute at Columbia and we all know enough to know that it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

What exactly does that mean?

What does it mean? Environmental Entrepreneurs? It means you are focusing on the “triple-bottom line”. And what does THAT mean? That means you not only focus on the traditional bottom line (i.e. profits), but also take into account people and the planet.

Environmental Entrepreneurs focus on people, planet and profits, knowing this is a truly sustainable business and what we need to shift towards in we are serious saving our planet.

Why do I sound so darn adamant about this one?

Here are some recent statistics you may find interesting:

1. 50% of the world’s wetlands have been lost in the last 100 years
2. 50% of the world’s forests have been chopped down
3. 70% of the world’s major marine fisheries have been depleted
4. 100% of the world’s coral reefs are at risk, and
5. 6.3 billion people on the planet, with another 3 billion in the next 40 years

Einstein has a great quote regarding this: We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive.

And what I teach entrepreneurs is the fastest way we will not only stop this destruction, but actually repair it is by showing businesses how to make money doing it.

What I teach at CERC/Columbia/BEST Coaches is that entrepreneurs are the key to eliminating poverty and environmental destruction.

And, what should all entrepreneurs be incorporating into our ventures to be environmentally responsible?

Good question.

The answer is compassion.

Compassion for each other. Compassion for the planet. Compassion for all people, animals and living things. We are all intra-connected and what I do here in Brooklyn, NY effects people and things all over the world.

And while this sounds really nice, beautiful and you can probably hear the birds chirping in the background as you read that statement, it is those entrepreneurs that keep their heads in the sand that will be stuck holding buggy whips in the next few years.

In fact it is already happening.

Look at our big three automakers. Got caught with their heads in the sand around hybrids versus big trucks and SUVs. Now, Toyota is kicking their butts with the Prius, et al.

GM is no longer #1, Ford is no longer #2, and Chrysler is no longer #3. They all got downgraded one notch by Toyota, who as of mid-last year became #1, beating the others to market with their line of better and more timely hybrid cars.

I know a little about this because I am working with some very, very senior folks at GM next month on helping them implement sustainability practices at the company.

And, hey, what is an intraperneur?! ... I’ll be answering that in Part II next month ... see you then!

You can reach Stefan by email.

Subscribe to his newsletter at: www.beunreasonble.com

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