How to – Get to the Triple Bottom Line Every year there are new trends in management. While they can appear to be simply the latest fad in a long line of “flavors of the month”, many are grounded in the current thinking about the best way to manage an organization that aims to thrive in the current economic climate.

If you (or your boss) are inspired to try a new business model, resistance and reservation can be seen as an impediment. Given the desire to try new things (in tough times OR in good), the Triple Bottom Line is getting attention. Knowing what it is and how to get there can give your workplace focus and renewed energy. You may already be working toward these three bottom lines, but in the near future it may become that standard for staying in business.

3BL
The Triple Bottom Line looks at 3 P’s:
• Planet – improving the environment
• People – developing Human Capital
• Profits – economic viability of the organization

Why
Have a compelling reason for change. Joining the ”flavor of the month” club isn’t going to get anyone on board.

What
What are you changing from and what will you be changing to? Is it going to replace something?

Who
Transitions and initiatives need champions: the people that carry the flag, rouse the troops, cheer people on, and generally keep employees focused on the goal(s). People can get distracted easily, and in tough times, lose their focus.

Where
Change needs to be addressed on a wide variety of levels: employees, customers, partners, vendors, shareholders, and executives. Each group needs to know "What’s In It for Them".

How
What is the method by which your organization will get to this future state? There should be a plan with steps and systems in place that support the processes that will shift.

When
Expectations need to be managed about how easy this will be, how soon this can happen, and what the signs are for both success and trouble.

As with any change, initiative, or transition, there are clear stages for 3BL and time well spent in each one will help prepare you and your firm for success. Make sure you take the needed time to assess your organization’s readiness; design and plan the change implementation plan, the metrics needed for measuring movement and the corresponding communication, implement the change, troubleshoot issues and challenges as they arise, and maintain/evergreen as things continue forward.  8:28 AM •