NBIS

NBIS - Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability - is, as the name suggests, a networking portal (nbis.org), connecting businesses and professionals serious about "profitable sustainability" with resources to help them succeed in the green economy. The focus of the portal is to remain business friendly, making a business case for everything they do. Through the portal, members have access to ideas, educational programs, additional networking activities, and other resources to link them with their peers. Members used to participate in greendrinks, events aimed at gathering sustainability-minded businesses and individuals in a social setting to facilitate the kind of connections that NBIS members seek, but that particular forum attracted many young environmentalists, "hundreds in fact", and business people were not comfortable there because the environmentalists sought to change business rather than support them in making changes. So, "eco hour" was born, which successfully filtered the less business-oriented from the events, but also had the unfortunate side-effect of filtering much of the youth from the group.

One regional program that has resulted from the connections made through NBIS is the Byproduct Synergy Network - companies try to turn one another's waste into resources for other companies. Interesting note: similar programs are running in Houston and Arlington among what Carl refers to as "large and dirty companies" (Carl actually asked not to be quoted on that, so pretend you didn't read that!).

A big challenge facing NBIS is funding, since most of their efforts are what is referred to as "systems change", and most grants are granted to specific environmental projects rather than systems oriented efforts. As a result, NBIS is working to build its consultation service for revenue, partnering with software companies that are developing and/or distributing sustainability-oriented software programs to help companies track their triple-bottom-line metrics (i.e., SBP360). Through consulting, they help companies do GRI reports and develop sustainability planning, etc. By staying small, they are able to subcontract most services (virtual consultancy).
Though small, NBIS provides a largely important group of services to businesses and professionals who seek to expand their networks and connect with like-minded businesses and professionals to promote and improve sustainable efforts across the Seattle metro area.