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Project 2 Essay
Southern New Hampshire University
QSO-321: People, Planet and Profit
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Project 2 Essay
When organizations like NationaliTeas contemplate future sustainability, they should
incorporate the principles and values associated with the triple bottom line. The triple bottom line
highlights the significance of profits and raises social and environmental issues to a similar
priority level for a company. To ensure sustainability in the future, companies must examine all
facets of their operations and evaluate their effects on the environment, community, and
individuals (Kenton, 2023). The triple bottom line includes three components: people, planet, and
profit. This concept was introduced in 1984 by John Elkington and remains pertinent today
(Soomo, 2020). Instead of focusing on a single aspect, employing the TBL elements collectively
will produce more substantial overall results for your business.
NationaliTeas' mission is to "raise international consciousness regarding refreshing and
revitalizing beverages and sustainable practices to improve the health of workers, communities,
and spirits. " Their vision is "to become the most respected team manufacturer across at least
three continents for our products and actions, motivated by a commitment to ethical sourcing,
minimal waste, and employee empowerment. " Upon examining both statements, it is clear that
they reflect the TBL ideology, acting as a framework for advancement in all three domains. This
allows the company to align with its intended identity. By utilizing the most innovative
manufacturing methods, they can allocate more resources to creating the highest quality products
available today and in the future. This can lead to enhanced support for the company from both
customers and stakeholders, which will improve profitability and facilitate ongoing growth.
A Certified B Corporation is a company that has met stringent criteria for its social and
environmental performance (Stewart, 2023). Being acknowledged as a Certified B Corporation
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provides multiple benefits beyond showing that the company has attained higher social and
environmental responsibility standards that correspond with the TBL. NationaliTeas will be
recognized as an organization that prioritizes quality over profits, as well as the establishment of
strong social and environmental standards relative to competing businesses. Current and
prospective investors, along with customers, can perceive the outcomes of the current
manufacturing process and its effects on overall sustainability, ensuring they make a thoroughly
informed decision regarding all aspects of the company. Moreover, these benefits will assist in
attracting and retaining employees who are most aligned with the company’s vision and mission.
After examining the pre-assessment summary, the three recommendations I have selected
will not only enhance but also fortify NationaliTeas' commitment to people, planet, and profit.
The first recommendation is to provide professional development training that is available to all
employees. The second is to improve the company's environmental sustainability. Finally, the
third suggestion is to obtain product quality certifications for each item produced. Concerning
professional development and training, higher education for all employees will offer an
opportunity for everyone to expand and improve their skills, as well as better equip them for
future promotions and employment prospects. This decreases turnover rates and acts as a strategy
for internal company advancement while lowering the costs linked to unnecessary training that
does not benefit all.
For impacts on organizations, training relevant to all employees prepares them for future
growth prospects. It not only attracts potential employees but also nurtures leadership and
stimulates innovation, resulting in benefits in quality development and training. The effects of
professional development training on society are also noteworthy. It equips individuals not only
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with knowledge but also with skills necessary to become leaders in their communities and
mentors for others. These skills can aid individuals in finding purpose in their work, irrespective
of their roles. Regarding customer impacts, clients who understand that highly skilled workers
produce products recognize that they are investing in a quality product. Concerning business risk,
despite having a budget set aside for training and development, the primary risk for any company
when training employees is the sunk costs. These costs include training unmotivated employees
who have no interest in or need for training, employees who misuse the system by participating
in higher education activities during work hours, and training employees who take advantage of
the training only to move to another company.
For the operational management technique, one particular approach that should be
implemented is a project management system that can effectively create and monitor all tasks
related to training and development. This will enable employees to maintain their focus and
accomplish their goals within the program. The requirements and scope should be specified,
addressing the needs of both employer and employees, and should be established and observed
throughout the entire duration. Employees wishing to advance their education must qualify, and
their progress should be monitored to ensure ongoing participation. Finally, a roles and
responsibilities committee should be established to set guidelines and oversee the program's
advancement. To ensure proper oversight, quarterly or annual meetings need to be conducted,
involving the committee, department managers, and upper management. New insights and
updates from these meetings should be communicated to the board for their final approval.
The second initiative assesses the company’s environmental sustainability and identifies
new strategies to ensure enhancements are applied in all areas that require improvement. The
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company seeks to diminish the carbon footprint, reduce waste both physically and in our
procedures, and explore new methods to remedy the damage inflicted on the planet. To decrease
my carbon footprint, the initial step will be transitioning to solar energy and electric vehicles, as
this will aid in eliminating the dependence on fossil fuels. The subsequent step will consist of
establishing a recycling plan that will not only reduce waste but also concentrate on purchasing
practices. Finally, reviewing the existing manufacturing processes and eliminating any
unnecessary or redundant steps to improve efficiency will be crucial.
For the societal effects that focus on reducing the carbon footprint, minimizing waste, and
improving the environment, as well as helping the organization in creating a better environmental
and social image with community consumers. It can also lead to considerable changes for rival
companies, as they may fall behind due to inadequate environmental progress. For customer
impacts, finding ways to reduce adverse effects on the environment and the local community is
essential. Consumers may perceive that the organization prioritizes them over its profitability,
which will broaden our customer base. Concerning business risks, we need to assess our
operations and identify the best way to move forward with this initiative, given that there could
be significant upfront costs involved in setting up these programs. There may also be an extended
duration before the expenses of these implementations become visible. Overlooking the training
and development of employees is equally critical.
For the operational management methods, alterations are necessary, and progress should
be tracked using the project management process. This supports in formulating and evaluating all
aspects of the required modifications. Lean Six Sigma can aid in establishing recycling methods
and protocols and will also be included in the project management plan. Effective planning,
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implementation, and oversight of this endeavor are critical to its success. To define the needs and
criteria for the success of this initiative, the project management process should function as a
framework to ensure that each phase is conducted correctly, on time, and, most crucially, within
the allocated budget. Any changes to the scope or budget must be justified and approved.
Communication and supervision at all levels are crucial, as they ensure that no issues will result
in unwarranted project delays. Finally, concerning roles and responsibilities, the completion of
the initiative must be directed and coordinated through the project management process, which
also integrates the Lean Six Sigma strategy along with the roles and responsibilities of all
stakeholders. The project management teams are obligated to provide quarterly reports to the
board of directors, and any modifications must obtain board approval, which holds the ultimate
authority.
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References
Kenton, W. (2023, Feb 16). Investopedia. Retrieved from Triple Bottom Line:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/triple-bottom-line.asp
Soomo. (2020). Soomo Learning. Retrieved from https://www.webtexts.com
Stewart, J. (2023, Feb 16). Cultivating Capital. Retrieved from What is a B corporation?
everything you need to know.: https://www.cultivatingcapital.com/b-corporation/