Sustainable Business Management (SMB)

This course adds a global dimension to a students repertoire of sustainable development managements tools. Students examine global economic an environmental concerns and approaches being pursued given the local and national contexts of different countries. While considering the effects of globalization, in Canada and elsewhere, students use business management tools such as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) that support companies in achieving sustainable business goals, including the impacts of their supply chains. Students analyze differences between traditional economic models and current models that incorporate sustainability measures.

The focus of this course is urban environments. Students identify the opportunities and challenges facing cities, governments and private sector and nonprofit organizations as they develop strategies to create a sustainable built environment. Topics such as LEED standards will be introduced. Students will analyze the change and collaboration issues faced by urban entities as they transition to sustainable practices. Site visits and urban sustainability expert guests provide insight into real world practices. Students learn to advocate the individual, organizational and collective advantages of reducing ecological footprints in all sectors.

Building on Sustainable Workplace productivity Tools 1, this course focuses on renewable energy. Students do a field trip to wind and solar installations and sustainable, energy efficient homes, where experts provide instructions. Students learn to calculate carbon footprint and perform greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting audits. GHG mitigation management techniques are applied to real case studies. Students learn to present GHG data and recommendations in excel formats that are at the highest industry standards. Throughout the course, students focus on effectively communicating the case for reduction of GHGs to stakeholders.

Sustainable change requires effective leadership and engagement at all levels of the organizations. Students will differentiate between the skill sets of traditional managers versus the skills needed by managers who lead. Through case studies, students learn practical applications of leadership theory. Developing influence, leading change from below, and the methods used by sustainability champions are examined. Through self-assessments, students begin to develop reflective practices and awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses as they relate to effective leadership.

This course focuses on the communication central to driving sustainability initiatives and creating a culture of sustainability. Internal and external forms of communication are examined. External communication includes stakeholder management, social media and marketing. Internal communication focuses on alliance building, promoting a sustainability idea or initiative, and selling the economic benefits of sustainability. Students learn how to discuss sustainability in language that is meaningful to the listener, and to align a sustainable goal with the interests of the audience.

Business plans come in a wide variety of formats that serve many purposes, from testing the feasibility of new ideas to convincing investors of the potentials for success. Students will apply different tools as they create a comprehensive formal business plan for a new venture that promotes sustainable practices and meets a market demand for a green products or services. Students will deliver a professional presentation of their proposal for a new business venture.

Integrating all elements of the program, in this capstone course students create a corporate sustainability plan that meets the highest industry standards and is ready for submission to a partner organization. Students will develop a professional business plan, managment plan and implementation schedule, to a partner organization.