The CSBA aims to connect businesses through a variety of networking and learning opportunities. Additional programs will be developed based on the needs of the membership. The Alliance recognizes that as with sustainability itself, useful programming is a continuous process that will evolve over time.
Current programs include:
Formerly Green Drinks — Business Edition, EVENING NEXUS provides a forum for business professionals to meet like-minded colleagues to discuss concerns, network and generate business leads, and stay ahead of emerging local and national sustainability developments and trends.
CORPORATE NEXUS features a panel of senior sustainability executives and provides local professionals with the opportunity to build connections and knowledge. Recent panelists have included executives from Jones Lang LaSalle, Baxter International, and Bank of America.
BREAKFAST NEXUS is a space to make connections vital to your business' future, find potential solutions to actual business problems, and leave with renewed enthusiasm to take on business challenges.
SESSIONS are an interactive and informal information exchange over lunch amongst an intimate group of CSBA members and a guest facilitator. Guest hosts have included Commissioner Suzanne Malec-McKenna and Chief Environmental Officer Sadhu Johnston, and others.
Member companies can send promotional discounts through our monthly Sustainability Hub Newsletter, which reaches 4,000+ sustainably-minded individuals.
The Green Business Directory drives traffic to member businesses by serving as a comprehensive resource for Green Business listings around Chicagoland. The Directory provides accurate, relevant information to the business community and the general public about a company’s services, products, practices, and related sustainability efforts.
CSBA coordinates shared advertising space in local publications, and also negotiates special rates for members to buy advertising and exhibition space.
The high visibility of the CSBA ensures that consumers, other businesses, the media, government, or other entities ask us for referrals to sustainable businesses. Members are at top of mind when such referrals occur!
CSBA Curriculum
SUST BIZ 100
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the offerings of the CSBA? Want to know how to take advantage of your membership? Get the low-down on what the CSBA “really” does and what we can do for you. CSBA 100 is an opportunity to:
SUST BIZ 101: Introduction to Sustainable Business—Principles
What is sustainability/sustainable business? Where does a business start that wants to “go green?” What is the difference between being “green” and pursuing “sustainability?” What are the potential benefits and challenges of embracing a more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable strategy? Co-taught by an experienced business executive and a Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance staff member, Sustainability 101 provides an introduction to basic sustainable business concepts and practices. It intends to lay the groundwork for further learning as well as for beginning to implement these principles in one’s enterprise and/or workplace.
SUST BIZ 102: Introduction to Sustainable Business—Practices
Building on the sustainable business concepts introduced in SB101, this course delves into the implications these principles can have on different aspects of an enterprise. Participants will gain an understanding of the how the pursuit of sustainability can impact product/service development, marketing, finance, human resources, and operations. Issues of an integrative approach, priority setting, and incremental implementation will
also be explored.
SUST BIZ 103: Introduction to Sustainable Business—Frameworks
Incorporating sustainability is an inherently multifaceted undertaking, and many conceptual frameworks exist to guide businesses in their planning. In this workshop, we will introduce and analyze comprehensive strategies to integrate sustainable principles into your business practices. What context does a business use to decide upon short- and long- term goals? How does a business measure results and find suitable metrics? Participants will leave with knowledge of the best-known approaches to sustainable thinking.
SUST BIZ 104: Going Green: Where Does a Business Start? (K. Pierce)
Developed to work in tandem with the CSBA’s 101, 102 & 103 (i.e. Introduction to Sustainable Enterprise) courses, this workshop will rely on an interactive format to empower participants to develop initial strategies for greening an existing business or enterprise. Topics covered will include a review of key reference sources, local resources and several case studies, a discussion of significant issues to consider before beginning, potential barriers to progress, the difference between green and sustainable; and an overview of the stages of sustainable integration. Participants will leave with a better sense of how, where, and why to begin their sustainability efforts, as well as tangible next steps.
SUST BIZ 110: Sustainable Business Resources—Marketing For Sustainable Enterprise (Richard Ross)
What issues do sustainable enterprises need to consider with regard to marketing their products and services that traditional ones don’t? How important is a firm’s sustainability activities to its overall value proposition to its customers? Going green can be one thing; using it as a significant component of your marketing plan is quite another. Explore these and other relevant topics in an interactive workshop that empowers participants with the knowledge and perspective required to effectively assess and align their marketing efforts.
SUST BIZ 111: Sustainable Business Resources—DIY Sustainable Enterprise Promotion (Jessa Brinkmeyer & Lisa & Ron Elkins)
Small and mid-sized enterprise often cannot afford the services of public relations or marketing consultants. Join several CSBA members who have excelled at developing their sustainability-oriented businesses by effectively reaching out to prospective customers via networking, events, and the media. Learn the tips and tricks they’ve used to effectively promote themselves with integrity. Leave the session inspired with some engaging ideas and the courage to pursue them in order to put your enterprise on the map. Applicable to both B2C and B2B companies.
SUST BIZ Harnessing Technology for the Sustainable Business
How can you further increase your company’s effectiveness and raise its profile through the web? In this highly interactive workshop on Social Media and Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
Office & The Environment: Building a Green Team w/ Cecelia Ungari Greening your office can reduce operating costs, generate employee satisfaction, and even boost your company’s image—so where can you start? How can you engage staff and management in the “greening” of your office? Where do you direct their energies? Come hear techniques other businesses have used to green their office, methods to quantify the benefits of an eco-office, and ways to approach upper-level management and other staff. Learn where to get started, but go beyond a “green office checklist” by understanding how to effect long-term, behavioral change within your business or institution. Dive into common barriers to implementation and strategies to overcome them.
SUST BIZ 113: Sustainable Business Resources—Financing
in conjunction with CEC
SUST BIZ 114: Sustainable Business Resources—Entrepreneurship
Sustainable entrepreneurship, i.e. starting a sustainable enterprise (Bryan Stubbs, Nik Rokop. Jason Felger)
SUST BIZ 115: Sustainable Business Resources—Anatomy of a Sustainable Enterprise Business Plan (Barry Bursak)
For business owners and managers who need to develop a solid business plan to launch and/or grow their green/sustainable business. Focus will be on the main areas of the business plan, including: market opportunity, product/service, sales & marketing, finance, and management. We will use an actual business plan as an example. Attention will be paid to sustainability as part of the business plan. Whether you are looking for outside capital or want an actionable roadmap to grow, this will be an informative workshop that covers the basics.
SUST BIZ 116: Sustainable Business Resources—Addressing Climate Change for Business
SUST BIZ 117: Sustainable Business Resources—Professional Development For Sustainability Professionals (David Reynolds, Sundee Wislow, Lindsay James, Laura Flanigan)
Sustainability is such a dynamic and fast-paced field that it can be difficult for those working in it to step back and assess their professional development needs. This workshop will explore aligning one’s personal life with their professional goals, continuing education opportunities, handling information overload, community service participation, and balancing an ever-increasing workload, among others. It is intended for individuals employed in sustainability-related fields that are looking for support in advancing their careers as well as for those in related areas. Participants will leave with new insights and strategies for moving ahead in their careers…in a sustainable manner!
These small groups were created to bring together members focused on a specific topic, area of interest or common need. The affinity groups that currently meet are:
Want to start an Affinity Group that's not listed, or join an existing group? Email us at csba@foresightdesign.org.
Benefit from reduced rates at fellow CSBA member businesses, such as I-Go, Salon Echo, and Hotel Felix. Generate business with your colleagues by offering your own discount to other members!
Interested in joining the CSBA, or seeing what people have to say? Join CSBA Now!
