Articles Directory

Coconsulting - a neat way to become a better consultant and get and give some help!  Nick Heap helps us to understand the best ways to apply these collaborative methods.

If someone told you that there is a plant which offers a 100% renewable and environmentally superior alternative to petrol or diesel, wood pulp in paper, oil based plastic, cotton and can also be used to make dietary supplements, foods, drinks and medicinal creams you might wonder why you had not heard about it before - Paul Benhaim explains.

Many, especially in the media, appear to believe that sustainability means a return to cave dwelling.  Corporate lobbying campaigns against environmental measures for fear of reduced profits.  Ironically as a society we are better technically placed to go green and maintain our lifestyle than ever before – renewable energy technologies, renewable materials technology (see separate Industrial Hemp article) are advancing rapidly.  Geodesic building contribute to this offering more covered space for less materials.

Andrew tells his inspiring if daunting tale of setting up one of the UKs first conciously organic, ethical and authentic businesses in 1976 when the rest of the market (both suppliers and customers) were far from ready for it.  From Russian correspondant at the BBC to Baker and cafe owner in one rather complicated step.

What do you do if you have a degree in atmospheric physics, another in environmental economics and a burning desire to ensure that we can continue to have a habitable world?  The answer if you are Juliet Davenport is that you set up a renewable energy company.

One of the challenges facing successful authentic businesses is how to raise investment funding without it resulting in their having to sell out ideologically in the end.  Neil looks at the opportunity to set up a new kind of investment fund which will never require companies to sell out ideologically.

Anyone who thinks seriously about today’s personal transport system knows that cars must change. But change to what?

The OSCar project is being developed in response to the challenge for a practical fuel cell car, which is a clear leading contender as an alternative to today’s gasoline- driven cars. But the fuel cell car I envision is not a Chevy Trailblazer with a fuel cell but a new architecture derived from the characteristics of fuel cells, as championed by Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado.

by Neil Crofts

Many people ask me for examples of Authentic Businesses and it is always difficult to justify my choices on the spur of the moment. So in this article I have listed several largely consumer oriented businesses and the reasons why I believes that they are authentic.

Increasingly, arguments are being made across all business sectors against the 'old' way of competition and in favour of cooperation. By becoming more cooperative and less competitive, we can move away from growth for growths sake - perhaps the most environmentally destructive pattern of business behaviour on the planet - and take our connected world into a softer and more enlightened era.

What’s the idea?

• Commercial organizations need passion, ingenuity, teamwork, initiative and spark from people at work
  
• Social and Environmental projects are looking for relationships with and support from commercial organisations
  
• Individuals are seeking a greater sense of purpose – in their work and in other parts of their life