[Ailist] Announcing the August 2008 AI Practitioner

[Anne Radford]

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AIP eNews      AI Practitioner Newsletter - August 2008 - Plain Text  
Version
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[Announcing the August 2008 AI Practitioner  ]

The Sustainability Journey and Appreciative Inquiry: How a Whole- 
System, Positive Change Approach can
Accelerate the Adoption and Integration of a New Business Paradigm

Guest editors: Mona Amodeo, C Keith Cox, Daniel K Saint and  
Jacqueline M Stavros


What is sustainability? Is it a process, a concept, a strategy? All  
of these combined? The United Nations
Brundtland Report broadly defined sustainability as ensuring that  
humanity meets the needs of the present without compromising the  
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Guest editors say, 'From our perspective, sustainability derives  
it greatest power and potential in
organizations when it is embraced as a set of core values that uplift  
and integrate economic prosperity,
environmental stewardship and social responsibility, sometimes  
referred to as people, profit and planet ñ the triple bottom line.'

The Guest editors together with their clients describe key successes  
in combining the benefits of focusing on the triple bottom line.  
Examples in this AIP issue include:

- The global carpet manufacturing company, Interface, made a  
commitment in 1994 to be 'the first name in sustainability in words  
and deeds.' Their Summit, just a few months ago, brought together  
leaders from around the world to look at the 'Next Ascent' - where  
and how to accelerate progress to achieving Mission Zero, eliminating  
any negative impact the company may have on the environment.

- A global professional services firm, Jefferson Wells, sets out how  
it has been using the AI approach to building sustainable value in  
terms of employee engagement, employee retention, client  
satisfaction, revenue and income. The chart of their progress in  
these areas from 2004 to 2007 shows significant progress.

- Continental Automotive employs approximately 150,000 people at  
nearly 200 locations in 36 countries and is part of Continental AG  
automotive supplier which has annual sales of more than $40 billion.  
In this article, the executive responsible for automotive marketing  
and product development strategy for North America has a research  
agenda in the area of sustainability and green business strategy.  
This article explores what this agenda might mean for key  
stakeholders: manufacturers and consumers.

- The US Army, which is currently undergoing the most comprehensive  
transformation in 50 years according to some, is building its long- 
term success on business process transformation and sustainability.  
The authors look at how using AI and the SOAR framework is assisting  
the Army leaders in these goals.

- The trend toward adopting sustainable development practices in  
Chemical Management Services (CMS) business is growing. The author  
draws on his many years of industry experience and knowledge of  
effective applications of the SOAR framework to conclude that success  
in implementing sustainability is where all voices are heard and  
people are engaged. These organizations also have financial success  
which should encourage others to take up this approach.


*To buy this 3rd issue of the 2008 AIP subscription, click here
http://www.aipractitioner.com/NewShop/aipracbackiss.htm

*To take out your subscription for 2008 (and receive this one, the  
February, May and November issues), click here
http://www.aipractitioner.com/NewSHop/newsub.htm

*Coming up in the AIP November 08 issue:
Creating and Sustaining Strength-based Organizations with Guest  
editors: Bernard Mohr, Sallie Lee, Joanne Daykin and Catherine McKenna.

Regards,
Anne

Anne Radford
editor at aipractitioner.com
Publisher, AI (Appreciative Inquiry) Practitioner
skype name: aipractitioner
tel +44 (0)20 7633 9630
www.aipractitioner.com

Anne Radford is also Consultant to business leaders and  
organisational consultants
http://www.aradford.co.uk


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