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Editor's Note: Eco-Corrections
March 19, 2008
By Lorri Freifeld
I'm a printer. I know it's a waste of paper and I'm killing trees by the hundreds, but I can't help myself. I want hard-copy proof, in my hand, that I can wave under the requisite person's nose if needed. I print out my direct-deposit pay stub, my expense reports, articles to read on the train ride home, e-mails, and more.
Apparently, I'm not alone when it comes to being ecologically incorrect. The U.S. uses enough office paper each year to build a 10-foot-high wall that's 6,815 miles long—more than the distance from New York to Tokyo, according to GreenPrint, a software company devoted to environmental conservation (http://www.printgreener.com/earthday.html). In addition, 20 percent of Americans suffer from "green guilt," and many more admit to less-than-perfect recycling habits, according to a survey conducted by GFK Custom Research on behalf of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC). In fact, only about 52 percent of respondents recycle their glass and cardboard, while roughly 60 percent recycle their newspapers.
That said, the tide appears to be turning in corporate America as companies are realizing that going green is great for their profile as a responsible corporate citizen, and for the image they project to customers. But it often requires teaching employees new operations and business practices. Check p. 20 to learn how Suffolk Construction, flooring company Mohawk Industries, and communications firm Cortel are meeting this eco-training challenge. (And, rest assured, I'm working to rein in my printing obsession, one sheet of paper at a time).
While the corporate world is trying to save the rainforests, nonprofit agencies often are operating in the rainforests and other non-climate- controlled environments, providing training under extreme conditions and miniscule budgets. See p. 26 for a look at the training obstacles these organizations face, how they overcome them, and five lessons you can learn from them.
If you happen to have some extra money in your budget, you might want to consider some off-site training. We asked two hospitality management veterans for their top training hot spots, destinations that offer both great meeting space and stellar amenities and service (p. 42). In addition, we provide a special Focus on Hospitality section. Here, you can find industry trends, case studies, and training tips. The good news is that providing great customer service—and training to employees to do so—shouldn't cost big bucks, according to Diana Oreck, vice president, Global Learning & Leadership Center at Training Top 10 Hall of Famer The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. The formula to superior service "starts with attention to detail, plus kindness and connection with customers and employees, plus lack of flawed process. We now are managing to outcomes, and the outcome is a happy guest." Oreck says she doesn't care how employees get there—"as long as it's moral, legal, and ethical"—but she wants them to do something she calls "radar on, antenna up, which means staying in the moment so you can read what the guest wants."
Oreck and the other five members of the Training Top 10 Hall of Fame were recognized onstage during the Training Top 125 Belles & Beaus Gala, held during Training 2008 Conference & Expo in Atlanta, GA, last month. See p. 46 for our Training 2008 Wrap-Up, including photos from the gala and GeoLearning's Super Bowl party, tips and tidbits from keynoters and seminars, and scenes from the show floor.
Training magazine next will travel to San Diego, CA, May 4-6 for our Leadership Summit. There, we will fete the 2008 Young Trainers, including those in the Top 10. The winners also will be revealed in our May 2008 issue. Stay tuned!
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