Leaders have a powerful opportunity to transform the results of their businesses and win a high new level of ownership and loyalty from Employees and Customers by replacing the traditional single bottom line accounting to a triple bottom line. A triple bottom line balances profitability, people (how Employees, Customers, vendors, supplies, and people in the community are treated) and planet (responsibility for the environment).
A pace-setting example of this is Southwest Airlines, a company who has long been known for being a great place to enjoy an inspiring career and team with highly motivated and supportive people. Warrior spirit, leading with a servant’s heart and fun-loving attitude define the spirit of Southwest. And in the last few years, they have added serious environmental stewardship to the list.
In the April, 2010, Spirit Magazine, Gary Kelly tells about new initiatives coming from their “Employee-led Green Team, which is striving to put a green filter on business decisions and improve our operations.” They are announcing their Green Plane which is part of their Next Generation initiative to encourage their industry to think green and support innovation to lower greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption by 6-15 percent. This new plane is testing new materials and design to decrease weight per seat, increase wear and reduce waste sent to landfills.
When companies begin to do this well, they get a bounce from a triple bottom line to a triple TOP line as Employees, Customers, vendors and people everywhere feel inspired to support doing the right for our natural environment. Thanks, SWA, for inspiring your industry to do the right thing and find environmentally friendly ways to provide air transportation. We are proud of own Southwest stock and be your loyal customers.
Note: Southwest has long had a tradition of capitalizing People, Employees and Customers as a way to show respect.
More information about SWA's green plane can be found here.
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