ssary. The biggest challenge and opportunity for success is to change the way a company thinks about the environment. It must be seen as a business issue: what benefits does the environment bring the company and its customers? This is a change from reactive, command and control thinking. Since everything comes from the environment, this change in thinking leads to protection of the sources of business prosperity. ISO 14000 3M is well known for its success in reducing pollution. One key to its success is focusing on four high impact areas: product reformulation, process modification, equipment redesign, and recycling or reuse of waste materials. The most important is the first: to design pollution out of the product. ISO 14000 Top management's commitment to ISO 14000 must include visible concern over environmental issues and high standards for which people are held accountable. Most important is the commitment of adequate financial, organizational, and technological resources. If the "walk" doesn't match the "talk", credibility will be lost along with individual effort and results. There will be conflicts between environmental management and business operations. Management must truly consider all sides with an eye to win-win solutions. Since most people can sense when a "spin" is being given to a situation, rigorous honesty is required in the communication of problems and solutions. ISO 14000 Setting high standards can help a company achieve more than it thought possible. Many companies are setting a standard of "zero waste." This may not be realistic for some. It is important that goals be a stretch and achievable. The bar can always be raised later. Achievement of goals builds confidence and momentum. An employee suggestion program is a good first step to getting people involved and harnessing the power of local knowledge. Two things that can add to the power of this program are (I) ...
