September 1, 2016News Release
How ECO Green Franchises Can Build a Better Business World
By
Carl J. Kosnar
SAN DIEGO, Ca.--(October 25, 2016) — Last week I had the chance to attend the North County ECO Alliance Annual ECO Alliance Celebration; a party with a purpose. “The NCEA nurtures eco-focused organizations and their communities in the quest to protect the planet,” according to David R. Ahlgren, NCEA President.
The franchise model holds a lot of promise for aspiring business owners. Many people know they want to work for themselves, but don’t know what business would be best for them or how to start a new business. Purchasing a franchise opportunity is a potentially easier and safer way to own a business, with the help of a successful business model to follow in conjunction with training and ongoing support.
As I attend national and international franchise shows and expos I inevitably ask the question, “So, where are all the green franchises?”
While there are a wide variety of companies exhibiting at franchise expos, many of them are very conventional with a business-as-usual mission. They are focused only on the bottom line and not concerned at all about the social, ecological or physical implications of their business model. And, although some would argue that there is still a need for the conventional retail and service franchise opportunities, I am disappointed to see only a handful of companies with a business model that is working towards a greener, more sustainable future.
In my opinion, very few franchise companies today meet the triple bottom-line model of “people, planet, and profit.” So many franchise businesses are based on unsustainable practices, reliance on fossil fuels, built around factory-farmed animal products, and producing goods with little to no sustainability consciousness.
My second question is, “Are franchisor companies really working on integrating sustainability?” There are many ways to “green” a business, and as I walked around talking to the exhibitors at the Annual North County ECO Alliance party, I found that several of them had indeed built their business model to include sustainability. When I spoke to some of these ecopreneurs they gave very cogent answers to questions about recycled paper, clean water, renewable energy, health concerns, or sourcing of environmentally safe products.
I was very inspired to meet ecopreneurs who believe in products and services that can serve to bring about synergy between business opportunity and environmental responsibility.
About the author:
Carl J. Kosnar is the Managing Partner of The Kosnar Group, an international franchise consulting firm. He is also the author of several books and numerous news articles relating to franchising, licensing, and affiliate business growth strategies.
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