Concerning So what does "sustainability" mean? Hello Mr. Thompson
Yes, you are correct that nobody defined what sustainability means. But, hey, what are consultants going to do without a good undefined buzz word?
In my work in the paper mill I adopted the practical aspects of the Swedish TNS group regarding Sustainability. Basically they connect the future business well being (=Sustainability) with environment and human well being. The idea behind it is that there is a certain narrowing of opportunities for a business (especially paper production) because of ever increasing of environmental pressures and regulations and because of pressure on reduction in resources. TNS's idea to cope with this is to look at the end of the road regardless what are today's or tomorrows available resources or regulations. They set simple 4 rules to identify the root to deal with the future uncertainties and to be able to get to this end of the road.
I practiced this on our mill's plans for wastewater treatment development with great success. I hope to be able to implement this process in other areas through the paper mill.
Avi Tenenbaum
Israel
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Jim,
Your column today on, " what does sustainability really mean?" was excellent -- one of the very best you have written!
Best regards,
Jerry Ballengee
USA
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Jim:
A friend of mind comes up with / discovers new words from time to time. His latest, a sort of Dilbert thing when related to business, is... UNNECESSARINESS. It needs no explanation.
It started me thinking about the many things that I don't miss:
weekly travel look ahead
weekly reports by me
[withheld]'s weekly report
[withheld]'s quarterly review meetings
annual reviews
RREs
driving to the airport
airport security
time sheets
expense reports
FAXing expense reports
explaining twice on expanse reports each cash purchase of food
being invited to things in [withheld] when I am not there
being invited to things in [withheld]...
post Rapid Transformation [withheld]
[withheld] Net
What's New
diversity and womens' issues emails
smog alerts, car pooling, MARTA, and other things for those who don't travel
child care, pet care, and flu shot announcements
NASCAR, Chili cook-off, circus, and aquarium announcements
[withheld] Athletic Club solicitations
product surveys
annual shutdown to inspect aluminum wiring
Chinese spam
Nigerian spam
vendor spam
[withheld] spam
spam addressed to xyzzzzzz@[withheld].com
AND FOR STRONGER STOMACHS
having to watch what you say in meetings
having to watch what you say in emails
having to watch what you say on airplanes
remembering to not to reply-all even though everyone else does...
avoiding humor in emails
avoiding TLAs in emails
avoiding meaningful attachments in emails
remembering to don't be technical in emails
being told that "no reply" means "OK", then having to ask for forgiveness even though you already asked for permission
character assassins and assassinations
supervisors who believe operators and not operator action logs...
not being allowed to confront your accusers
having to live with the fact that people with complaints about you are always correct...
A common practice is [withheld]:
-you get called into the boss's office
-you are told that you have said [or done] something to p--- someone off [chances are they are several pay grades lower, are technically inferior, but otherwise have a very brown nose]
-you ask "who did I p--- off?"
-can't tell you
-"what did I say [or do]"?
-can't tell you, then you would know who complained...
-"so how do I apologize, or make ammends [or for God's sake defend yourself]?"
-you can't
-"so how can I avoid this in the future?"
-be careful...
People who don't like you for whatever reason, and can't besmirch your technical ability, instead go after your character [and they are promissed confidentiality].
Recent P & P Retiree
USA
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Thank you. Interesting article.
Mindy Lewis
Creve Coeur, Missouri, USA
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This week's riddle:
Five pennies
Six nickels
Nine dimes
35 quarters
Cheers,
Peter Angevine
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
***
Jim,
If you go to the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, your financial stability may not remain sustainable.
Then again you'll be the envy of every car nut on the planet who isn't there, so it may be worth it. And you could get on TV with Laura on your arm cheering you on while bidding $375,000 for a Cuda ....
As for the second riddle, I have no clue what carbon footprint means. But I think I want one.
Gene Canavan
Prattville, Alabama, USA
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Well, Gene, the Barrett Jackson trip is off for this year. See the travel update below.
Jim
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Jim,
How could you forget "synergy"? Remember counting how many times [withheld] could cram "synergy" into a sentence? I think that's when I learned to play "Bullxxxx Bingo."
Deborah Butler
Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, USA
***
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_footprint
a "measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide"
John Yolton
Eureka, California, USA
***
Good day, Jim.
I am sensing a little frustration in your "sustainability" article. Remember : If it weren't for the new buzzwords, we would think we needed fewer marketing types.
In answer to your riddle, the 55 coins adding up to $10.00 include 5 pennies, 6 nickels, 9 dimes, and 35 quarters.
Thanks for all of your thought-provoking articles and links.
Dale St. Peter
Port Huron, Michigan, USA
***
Hey Jim,
The answer is 5 pennies, 6 nickels, 9 dimes, 35 Quarters. Besides the $10 total and 55 coin count, you could also assume at least 5 pennies as a minimum, and therefore at least 6 nickels. You also have to maximize the number of quarters to achieve the dollar volume. From there it was trial and error (for me that is. Someone smarter than I could probably solve a more eloquent set of equations.)
Steve Sena
Ohio, USA
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Concerning books I have finished the Osage Mill, actually within a couple of days of starting it. What an ending! Really hits home here in the Methland of NE Alabama.
Next I will read the lazy engineer book. I am intrigued.
Lynn Marlow
Stevenson, Alabama, USA
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Thanks. "The Lazy Project Engineer's Path to Excellence" is now available (for free, of course) in PDF form in the Library at the Cellulose Community (www.cellulosecommunity.org).
Jim
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