Key Learning and Application Outcomes:
- Overview of sustainability, a process on how best to define and determine applicability to your business.
- Understanding corporate sustainability as a basis to realize a competitive business advantage in the global marketplace.
- Definition and detailed review of major practices in sustainability.
- Review of key drivers in existence and on the horizon that may influence your business.
- Defining and applying corporate sustainability to the business in terms of:
- How to assess and define sustainable business practices as it pertains to your business and industry.
- How to determine which sustainable business practices make the most sense in terms of realizing an effective return on investment.
- Deciding which tools are most appropriate to understand and utilize.
- Implementation of methods to ensure sustainability becomes an ongoing strategic business process.
- Developing an individual “capstone” organizational project which will be submitted to the program facilitation team for evaluation and critique.
- Participants will also make a class presentation on their capstone project at conclusion of the program, with invitations extended to the senior management team in their respective organizations to attend.
Who Should Attend
- People who are being tasked in terms of helping define and implement sustainability initiatives for their organization.
Program Elements:
- The Post Graduate Diploma Program in Corporate Sustainability is an intensive (5) session experience spaced over the course of the semester.
- Each of the (5) sessions, totaling 70 contact hours, will result in participants’ being awarded 7.0 Continuing Education Units.
- Each session will include a Thursday (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and Friday (8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) seminar, guest speaker and program synthesis.
- The program will be led by an experienced business facilitator who will provide the intellectual and theoretical components of sustainability and supported by leading practitioners in the field who will provide detailed insights into strategy, tactics and applications.
- In addition to the industry experts listed, the program will provide minimally three (3) case studies wherein actual implementers will present specific sustainability initiatives they have undertaken in areas such as waste, green roofing and energy auditing.
- All text, articles and hand-out materials will be provided, along with meals and learning facilities.
- Access to an exclusive “members-only” corporate website dedicated to providing additional information/support on an on-going basis.
- Tour and overview of the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability, the Charles E. Townes Science Center and other campus sustainability related facilities and initiatives.
- Closing graduation reception for Continuing Education and the awarding of the Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Sustainability at Furman.
Program Modules
Module 1: Overview and Primer
January 25 and 26, 2018: Atlanta Room, Younts Conference Center
Initial module will provide history and future direction(s) of sustainability, a business (rationale) case for adopting sustainability within an organization, a framework in terms of how to define sustainability, when best to (go) implement, proper tools for consideration and the management adoption process to ensure success.
- Expert Speaker: Michael Johnson – Cox Industries
- Expert Speaker: Jenny Vallimont – Gokotta
Module 2: Sustainability Tools: Tools-Mapping, Foot-printing, Auditing, Activity Streams
February 22 and 23, 2018: Garden Room, Daniel Chapel
Second module will introduce the various tools utilized by business in assessing its “foot print” to determine target activities and inherent process that can be addressed. Module will provide detailed reviews of each tool and associated environmental factors: energy, water, waste, materials, emissions-toxins, transportation, and bio-diversity from the perspective of business implementation (How to evaluate, How to benchmark).
- Expert Speaker: David Bereskin – Greenville Water
- Expert Speaker: Jeff Goetz – Fluor
Module 3: Life Cycle Management/Assessment and Green Accounting
March 15 and 16, 2018: Atlanta Room, Younts Conference Center
Third module will introduce the concept of Life Cycle Management (LCM) and Assessment (LCA). This module will provide information and insights into the various forms of LCM and LCA and the process and methodologies used to undertake such analysis and management. This module will also introduce the concepts (constructs) associated with green accounting. It will provide insight into environmental (social) accounting and the various reporting structures available for business.
- Expert Speaker: Graham Rich – Re-Wa
- Expert Speaker: Will McCameron – Brewery 85 Tour
- Expert Speaker: Bill Flanagan – ALCA/GE
Module 4: Innovation and Green Marketing
April 19 and 20, 2018: Garden Room, Daniel Chapel
Fourth module will introduce the concept of design from nature’s perspective. It will include insights into the utilization of “natural” constructs/systems to design a product, service or business process. Several concepts will be introduced with a primary focus on biomimicry and its use in business. This module will also cover the marketing of “green” products, services or business. It will include an overview of marketing for green (and brown), the trends occurring, “green washing” and how best to position a green product, service or business to the entire market.
- Expert Speaker: Wade Worthen – Furman/Biology
- Expert Speaker: Ron Cotterman – Sealed Air
- Expert Speaker: Duncan Seaman – BMW
Module 5: Stakeholder Engagement
May 17 and 18, 2018: Garden Room, Daniel Chapel
The final module will address the requirements or processes to successfully implement a sustainability program or process. This will cover management to employee engagement process and practices. A final summary of the course will be presented in this module too.
- Expert Speaker: Karen Schwartz – St. Francis Health System
- Expert Speaker: John Meindl – Furman
- Commencement Speaker: Dr. David Shi-President Emeritus, Furman University
