LEARNING HOW TO USE THE NATURAL STEP IN BUSINESS

Overview

The natural step within a business is an important step for success. The natural step helps companies lead towards sustainability (Nattrass & Altomare, 1999). The purpose of this paper is underline the important system conditions for the natural step based on virtual team discussion. This paper will also discuss the critical system conditions for the evolutionary corporation. Moreover, the paper will study the concept of why the evolutionary corporation is so compelling in today’s world. It will further examine the leadership necessary to invent and sustain a corporation.

Discussion

Natural Step
Purpose. The natural step was first discovered as a scientific term in Sweden (Nattrass & Altomare, 1999). The natural step consists of four principles of ecology for life to sustain. According to Nattrass & Altomare there are certain conditions that must be present in order for life to exist. The basic steps are listed below:
(1) Reduce dependency on materials from the earth’s crust.
(2) Decrease compounds produced by society that accumulate in nature.
(3) Ensure that the productive capacity and diversity of nature is not diminished.
(4) Use resources fairly and efficiently to meet human needs (Nattrass& Altomare, 1999).
All of the above conditions are important, due to the environment in which we live. Humans live in a “closed loop system”(Nattrass & Altomare, 1999). This means that everything that is made and used by us will need to be recycled. In the text IKEA, Scandia Hotels and Collins products were used as ecological leaders for the environment. These companies were the first to adapt and accept environmental change. All of the companies realized that there companies were hurting the environment and a change needed to take place. The companies used the natural step to transform their companies into a safer business.

Virtual Team
Analysis. In the virtual team meeting, each member of the team provided an article concerning the natural step. The first article was about Premier INC, and how it launched a comprehensive web-based resource center to assist in healthcare organizations. The company also established an environmentally safe corporation with an area for recycling and disposal of computers and electronics. This article was interesting and relevant to today. Often organizations are unfamiliar about recycling procedures and how computers should be properly disposed. Premier Inc. became concerned about the environment and started a recycling disposal program for its computers and electronics. The company started a website that would provide information for companies uncertain about recycling procedures. In general, it appears that most people are lazy about recycling because it is an inconvenience. Most think it is easier to throw away the items not realizing the damaging effect on the environment.

In another article in the virtual team meeting, the discussion provided insight about the importance about the linear process. It appears that the world is suffering due to the carelessness of humans and nature has been disrupted for the past centuries. For instance, the problems with acid rain, extinction of species and the greenhouse effect poses a dilemma in today’s society. All of these pollutants that effect nature are a result of a damaged world. It is important for everyone to take a step towards creating a healthier world. The United States and countries around the world focus on various ways of recycling. A more common concept of this theory includes the recycling bottle programs. Many states within the U.S. offer 5 to 10 cents redemption on all returned bottles to encourage recycling.

Evolutionary Corporation
Importance. The evolutionary corporation is vital in today’s society for sustaining a healthy environment. Within many of the cases read, the companies were guilty of polluting the environment unknowingly. Once the news was discovered about the pollutants, being spread into the environment the countries began to use the natural step for change. Often at first, this was difficult for the companies, since they were in a routine of doing things. Starting the recycling process and using safer chemicals would first cost the company a significant amount. First, the companies would need to stop using chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Next, the company would have to use the appropriate measures to properly dispose of the chemicals. All of needed changes would take time and money to incorporate a safer environment.

Leadership
Leadership and development is necessary to invent and sustain a corporation. In order to produce a healthier and safer environment, the leaders must first be willing to incorporate change into its daily processes. For instance, an article by one of the team members stated the issue that resulted in Hawaii’s recycling bottle program. The government presented an agenda that was difficult for people to stick to the program. The Hawaii recycling centers often create an inconvenience for the people that are returning the cans or bottles. Moreover, once the customers arrive at the stations they are often dissatisfied because of long lines. In addition, some sources state that people are not receiving the accurate amount for bottles turned in. All of these problems create problems and steers the person away from making an effort to recycle. Leaders will need to recommend and fix programs that create difficulty in carrying out programs. One suggestion from the team discussion is to enforce environmental laws and increase taxes on garbage and electricity. This is just one solution to many; ultimately, it is up the individual to recycle.

Conclusion

Opinion. Overall, it is important for corporations and consumers to realize the importance of the natural step. The natural step enhances the environments well being. Without the natural step, companies would continue to endanger the environment. Some companies have lost business for failing to rectify an environmental safe solution. Leaders, companies and consumers must learn that sustaining momentum is everyone’s responsibility. By incorporating natural steps into the environment the world and the people, which live within it, are better off in the end. The world must take a close reflection to what it can do to make the world a safer place to live in.

Reference
Nattrass, B. & Altomare, M., (1999). The Natural Step: Wealth, Ecology and the Evolutionary
Corporation. Canada. New Society Publishers