SEATTLE - Sustainability is coming of age. Business success depends increasingly on triple bottom line values: people and planet as well as profits. It's established that cutting waste saves money and using fewer toxic chemicals reduces risk. Employees value working for companies that stand for more than just the corporate bottom line. But integrating sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) into company practices is new ground for most organizations. Where to start? In the boardroom or the mailroom? Is there a book called Sustainability for Dummies yet?

Dr. Nattrass is giving a workshop in Seattle on Implementing Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in the Real World at the Profitable Sustainability Conference on Sunday, September 26th. This practical, hands-on workshop deals with overcoming the challenges inherent in the dance of sustainability and CSR integration. Participants will learn many of the latest techniques from the leading edge of sustainability/CSR practice in business, government and the military. The conference offers discussions and workshops on sustainability and CSR at the Seattle Westin Hotel September 26-29.

Whether it's Nike, the US Army, Starbucks or NASA, turning the dream of being a sustainable organization into reality often involves a call to Dr. Brian Nattrass. "People call us for a number of reasons: some call when they've had an 'ah-ha' moment of insight about how their organization's success is integrally linked to the continuing viability of environmental and social systems," says Nattrass, one of the principals of Sustainability Partners and author of several books, including his latest co-authored with Mary Altomare entitled Dancing with the Tiger - Learning Sustainability Step by Natural Step. "Other organizations call when they're experiencing pain, either in the marketplace or internally, and they feel pressure to change. Still others call simply because sustainable practices are a better way of doing business."

After a twenty-year career in corporate law and finance, Dr. Nattrass dedicated himself to corporate responsibility and sustainability. Having served as both CEO of a public manufacturing company and Chairman of Earth Day International, he has a balanced perspective on the issues of sustainability and corporate responsibility that goes beyond theory and into concrete actions. This year he was awarded a Batten Fellowship at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia, to pursue research and writing on sustainable business practices and sustainable innovation.

For more information about Dr. Brian Nattrass and Sustainability Partners, visit www.sustainabilitypartners.com. Registration and information on the Profitable Sustainability Conference are available at www.nbis.org.

Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability NW

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