Sustainable Innovation: Integrating Value Creation, Project Discipline, and Collaboration with Neil Hawkins

Today, Paul and Neil Hawkins discuss integrating sustainability into corporate innovation, focusing on blending value creation, project discipline, and collaboration to achieve long-term sustainability goals. An industry expert, Neil discusses his strategies and experiences from his extensive career promoting sustainable business practices.

For 31 years, Neil was a key leader at Dow, ultimately serving as Chief Sustainability Officer and CVP, Environment, Health, & Safety for the last twelve years. He was the architect of the breakthrough “valuing nature” collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, and he integrated environmental and social considerations into the core of the Dow’s business strategy and public reporting. He is widely recognized as one of the world's top sustainable business thought leaders. After Dow, as President of Michigan’s Erb Family Foundation, a $350mm regional philanthropy, he focused on improving regional arts in the Great Lakes ecosystem, promoting environmental justice, and founding the Sustainable Business Network of Detroit. He served as interim CEO and President of the World Environment Center, facilitating a merger with Wildlife Habitat Council. He is President of Michigan Sustainability Associates, LLC and Research Advisor/Instructor at Harvard University in the Master of Sustainability ALM program.

"Cultivate an environment where sustainability is not just a checkmark but a core value driving every stage gate process."

~Neil Hawkins

Today on Innovation Talks:

• Integrating sustainability into corporate processes is crucial: Embedding sustainability within every business process drives long-term success and profitability.
• Leadership and employee enthusiasm are vital: Effective transformational change hinges on support from both top leadership and committed lower-level employees.
• Addressing middle management resistance: The so-called "frozen middle" often resists change; successful strategies involve engaging and educating them.
• Early efforts yield financial and environmental returns: Dow's initial sustainability goals delivered a $4 billion return on a $1 billion investment, demonstrating clear economic benefits.
• Focus on expertise before implementation: Ensuring capable individuals are in place before integrating sustainability screens prevents ineffective practices.
• Continuous progress in sustainable innovation: Companies increasingly adopt sustainability strategies, illustrating an industry-wide shift towards more sustainable practices.
• Collaborative initiatives drive innovation: Partnerships with other industries and stakeholders can significantly accelerate sustainability goals.
• Listening to stakeholders enhances outcomes: Understanding internal and external stakeholder needs is essential for effective sustainability integration.

Guest contact information:

Follow Neil Hawkins on LinkedIn for updates on sustainability topics

Resources mentioned:

Project Charter Blog

Value Proposition Blog for Sustainability

Systems Change --- Breakthrough versus Incremental -- Systems Shift

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

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