Connecting company actions to real cost savings was a key part of ray anderson s vision. The business logic of sustainability free summary by ray anderson. Access a free summary of the business logic of sustainability, by ray anderson and 20,000 other business, leadership and nonfiction books. Anderson chronicled the mission zero journey in two books, midcourse correction. Its also a way to reduce waste and, in the long run, save money, but only if the. Twenty years ago last week, interface founder and ceo ray anderson spoke the word sustainability for the first time. His idea is to further extend the environmental impact equation, decreasing affluence to be less reflective of pure wealth and. Share ray anderson quotations about business, sustainability and earth. Hawkens words became rays epiphany, and they continue to show that business and industry must take the lead in advancing environmental. Ray anderson led carpet manufacturer interface to become, according to many, the leading company in sustainability. Ray anderson gives his vision of a sustainable industry, and shares the ideas that he and his employees have looked into so far. Sustainability, a mountain higher than everest, to meet at that point at the top that symbolizes zero footprintzero environmental impact.
Textile manufacturer ray anderson of interface is looking to build a truly sustainable company in one of the worlds dirtiest industries. Could you help inspire another ray anderson leigh baker. New conscious capitalism documentary to inspire business. In 1994, interface founder and chairman ray anderson set an audacious goal for his commercial carpet company. At age 60, visionary ceo ray anderson, author of confessions of a radical industrialist, decided to move his company toward environmental sustainability. Being environmentally conscious isnt just a fad for ray anderson. In september of this year, ray anderson, the founder and chairman of interface carpets, published his second book as a response to the corporate leaders who continue to question the value and economic return for a commitment to environmentally and socially sustainable.
To him, its more than just a marketing phrase, its a way of doing business. Anderson center for sustainable business 44 mins raised in port jefferson, new york, and having graduated from mit, graduate sustainability fellow isabella sanders travelled south to achieve her goal of making a sustainable difference in supply chain. He proved to the world that swinging for the sustainability. Andersons most popular book is confessions of a radical industrialist. Ray anderson sustainability, wellbeing, environmental. Interface founder ray anderson leaves legacy of sustainability. The founder and chairman of global modular carpeting manufacturer interface is widely heralded as one of the pioneers and primary influencers in the pursuit of conscious capitalism as it relates to sustainability. Nov 01, 2006 textile manufacturer ray anderson of interface is looking to build a truly sustainable company in one of the worlds dirtiest industries. Reading paul hawkens the ecology of commerce in 1994 literally changed his life, in. Anderson, a leading green business advocate and founder of interface, one of the worlds largest carpet manufacturers, died this week. Seventeen years and a sea change later, ray estimated that interface was more than halfway towards the vision of mission zero, in 2011. Paul hawken, author of ecology of commerce, natural capitalism, and blessed unrest anyone who thinks that business leadership on environmental sustainability is an oxymoron must read confessions of a radical industrialist.
Sustainability becomes the iconic name for our journey. Anderson center for sustainable business at georgia tech. May 09, 2019 when i began my personal journey from a traditional business career to this world of sustainability, ray andersons midcourse correction was the first book i read. Ray anderson quotes about sustainability az quotes. The business logic of sustainability free summary by ray. Midcourse correction provides a hopeful attitude towards sustainability in business. Anderson has books on goodreads with 1167 ratings. Anderson was inspired by paul hawkens book, the ecology of commerce. Now, with his new book confessions of a radical industrialist, he wants to spur other business leaders to climb mount sustainability. Composed for tomorrows child, this poem helps to strengthen ray s resolve for spreading the word on sustainability, not only for the good of the planet, but for future generations. But behind the fresh design is a decadesdeep commitment to. His idea is to further extend the environmental impact equation, decreasing affluence to be less reflective of pure wealth and more what is necessary to stay happy.
Senior writer marc gunther is a longtime journalist and speaker whose focus is business and sustainability. Ray anderson has evolved from determined entrepreneur to sustainability minded philosopher. Anderson is the ceo of interface global, the largest carpet manufacturer in the us and a leader in the. After reading paul hawkens book, the ecology of commerce, anderson made a decision to change the way he operated his business. It put forth a new vision for what its author, ray c. When i began my personal journey from a traditional business career to this world of sustainability, ray anderson s midcourse correction was the first book i read. The business case for sustainability is explained by ray anderson, founder and chairmen of interfaceflor. After reading paul hawkens book, the ecology of commerce, anderson made a. Ray anderson on climbing the mountain of corporate. He was working to raise awareness long before the trend of going green. Ray anderson was named one of time magazines heroes of the environment and one. I felt the same spear in the chest that ray described, and so i followed his intellectual path of discovery.
Companies and governments lag ngos in driving sustainability but new corporate. Ray anderson founded interface, the company that makes carpet tiles. In a humble, inspiring and informative manner, ray anderson describes his. Believe me or not, i come offering a solution to a very important part of this larger problem, with the requisite focus on climate. Aug 10, 2011 ray anderson, founder of interface and green business pioneer, died monday from cancer at the age of 77, leaving an important legacy. Mainstreaming corporate sustainability is a book written for sustainability professionals who wish to scale that mountain. Ray anderson s midcourse correction gives a compelling argument on the importance of sustainability in the workplace, and how we should utilize technology as a force for change. Ray s greatest reinforcement and sense of accomplishment comes in the form of a poem written by glenn thomas.
Then he read paul hawkens book the ecology of commerce. Now, in the most inspiring business book of our time, anderson leads the way forward and challenges all. Anderson was chairman and chief executive of the worlds largest carpettile manufacturer when he read a book that described people like him as thieves and plunderers of the planet. The business logic of sustainability ray anderson teded.
Oct 19, 2009 ray anderson set out to make his business sustainable long before green was the flavor of the month. He cochaired the presidents council on sustainable development and the. Interface is a long time partner of the natural step and is a proven leader when it comes. Aug 18, 2011 in 1994, ray experienced an epiphany, something he described as a spear in the chest moment that fundamentally changed his perspective. In a gentle, understated way, he shares a powerful vision for sustainable commerce. Anderson, called the prototypical company of the 21st century. Confessions of a radical industrialist island press. Seeking inspiration for a speech on interfaces environmental vision, ray read paul hawkens the ecology of commerce and was deeply moved. Over time, programs that linked bonuses for employees at all company levels to reductions in waste started to put meat on the bones of ray s business case for sustainability. Ray anderson asks in his new book, confessions of a radical industrialist. Anderson s most popular book is confessions of a radical industrialist. Ray anderson case study engineering flashcards quizlet.
You can also read an edited transcript of my conversation with ray here at. If rays carpet company a petroleum intensive manufacturer, can achieve these goals and recognise the benefits, then any business can do the same. Sep 15, 2009 ray anderson watch his tedtalk, the chairman and founder of carpet company interface inc. Access a free summary of the business logic of sustainability, by ray anderson and 20,000 other business, leadership and nonfiction books on getabstract. Ray anderson 19342011, founder of carpet company interface, pioneered sustainable business practices. Hed spent the last 17 years promoting the benefits of sustainable business practices, not only for protecting the environment but for boosting the bottom line. Executive summary of confessions of a radical industrialist.
Hes proving that its possible to do well very well by doing good. But behind the fresh design is a decadesdeep commitment to sustainable ways of doing business culminating in the mission zero plan. Interface founder and chairman ray anderson, visionary entrepreneur and champion of the environment, green living guy. Environmental law and sustainability berkshire essentials by ray c. Ray got inspired because he had to be inspiring giving a kickoff speech to his sustainability working party. Unfortunately, we didnt videotape the session, but below is a short video of ray talking about how the book changed his life. Or should we find ways to create wealth sustainably through the efficient use of resources, renewable energy, and closedloop manufacturing processes that use recycled waste as raw materials. Ray then set a new course for interface toward sustainability. Greenbiz pioneer ray anderson says sustainability literally pays for. This book has been a great inspiration and educational tool for me as i work to build sustainability thinking into my own companys culture. Hear ray anderson, founder and chairman of interface, inc. Simply conforming to government regulations didnt satisfy anderson, who has made the march toward total sustainability an integral part of his companys customer appeal. Family of interface founder ray anderson carrying on his. Jan 23, 2010 ray anderson asks in his new book, confessions of a radical industrialist.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Throughout the book, anderson touches on several other models developed by sustainability leaders. Ray anderson confessions of a radical industrialist. Midcourse correction revisited by ray anderson chelsea. Anderson foundation is to perpetuate shared values and continue the legacy that anderson left behind. Anderson caps off his book by summarizing his maui conference. He was a serious businessman, focused on building his company and making great products.
John elkingtons upcoming book, the zeronauts, is due for publication in early 2012 and will include a profile of ray anderson. A special firstlook event was held recently in atlanta for beyond zero, a documentary in development on the life of ray anderson. Ray anderson set out to make his business sustainable long before green was the flavor of the month. Ray anderson on a commitment to environmental sustainability. Connecting company actions to real cost savings was a key part of ray andersons vision. Mainstreaming corporate sustainability by suzanne farver. This revised definition of successthis new paradigmhas a name. Oct 05, 2009 unfortunately, we didnt videotape the session, but below is a short video of ray talking about how the book changed his life.
The original midcourse correction, published 20 years ago, became a classic in the sustainability field. If ray s carpet company a petroleum intensive manufacturer, can achieve these goals and recognise the benefits, then any business can do the same. I had the pleasure of spending a weekend with him at a workshop sponsored by his company, interface carpet. At his carpet company, ray anderson has increased sales and doubled profits while turning the traditional take make waste industrial system on its head. Anderson foundation is a notforprofit 501c3 organization whose mission is to promote and advance the concepts of sustainable production and consumption. Sep 03, 2014 twenty years ago last week, interface founder and ceo ray anderson spoke the word sustainability for the first time. Ray anderson, 77, often called the greenest ceo in america for his crusade to turn his billiondollar carpet company into an environmentally sustainable enterprise, died aug. Worlds top sustainable stocks, archived september 27, 2011, at the wayback machine. Ray andersons midcourse correction gives a compelling argument on the importance of sustainability in the workplace, and how we should utilize technology as a force for change. Jun 10, 2009 here, anderson discusses corporate responsibility to action and the environment. Ray anderson writes a compelling story of turning a wasteful, oilthirsty business, interface, into a nearly carbonneutral business in a few decades. Defined sustainability as a dynamic process enabling all to realize their potential and improve their quality of life in ways that improve or protect earths life support systems.
Ray anderson is a selfprofessed plunderer turned recovering plunderer. John is executive chairman of volans, cofounder of sustainability, a. Anderson focused the companys attention on sustainable decisionmaking, taking. Ray anderson, founder of interface and green business pioneer, died. Anderson center for sustainable business acts as a catalyst and connector, bringing together students, research faculty, companies, and entrepreneurs to create an environment where businessdriven solutions to sustainability challenges can take shape and thrive. The main point is repeated throughout the book sustainability and profits can go hand in hand. Ray anderson is more than just the founder and chairman of the worlds largest manufacturer of modular carpeting, hes also the grandfather of corporate sustainability. When reading greenbiz or any of the other numerous media channels that cater to the field of sustainable business, its easy. He discusses his upbringing and the initial formation of his carpet tile company, interface.
Jul 07, 2011 the business case for sustainability is explained by ray anderson, founder and chairmen of interfaceflor. And the solution i offer is to the biggest culprit in this massive mistreatment of the earth by. Hed spent the last 17 years promoting the benefits of sustainable business practices, not only for protecting the. Anderson has been at the forefront of the sustainability movement for. He discusses his upbringing and the initial formation of. There was a process behind ray anderson s aha moment on sustainability i only met ray through his books and videos, including business lessons of a radical industrialist and mid course correction. Now, in the most inspiring business book of our time, anderson leads the way forward and challenges all of industry to share that goal. Summary when paul hawken, author of the ecology of commerce named and shamed ray anderson the founder and ceo of interface, a petroleumintensive carpet manufacturer as a plunderer of the earth in 1994, anderson took the criticism to heart.
Ray anderson, founder of interface and green business pioneer, died monday from cancer at the age of 77, leaving an important legacy. When reading greenbiz or any of the other numerous media channels that cater to the field of sustainable business, its easy to forget that such a notion scarcely existed 20 years ago. Ray andersons green business legacy the new york times. Textile manufacturer ray anderson of interface is looking to build a truly. Over time, programs that linked bonuses for employees at all company levels to reductions in waste started to put meat on the bones of rays business case for sustainability. The late ray anderson, ceo of interface, once coined the phrase striving for mount sustainability.
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