The Green Business Lab

Taught By:

In this 8-credit, highly interactive program, students will explore running a hypothetical company with triple-bottom-line goals: People, Planet, and Profit. This program will utilize an online business simulation tool called “The Green Business Lab” created by Samantha Svoboda (https://www.gblsim.com/). Through the Green Business Lab, students learn why business sustainability is essential and how to implement leading practices.

Acting as Executive Teams, participants use the lens of sustainability to establish their unique advantage in the market while they:

Reduce cost
Reduce climate, supply chain, and regulatory risk
Build customer loyalty
Increase top-line performance
Encourage innovation
Engage employees

This simulation utilized in the lab provides triple-bottom-line performance results, including:

Financial Reports – Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement
Environmental Reports – Pollution Impact and Energy Efficiency over 5 life cycle stages
Social Assessments – Customer & Community Care, Labor Practices, Stakeholder Engagement

Through this program, students, through their teams, will integrate sustainability into their core business strategy as they work to drive innovation, engage employees, develop loyal customers, and build strong relationships with suppliers, communities, and investors.

Students taking this program are encouraged (though not required) to take Introduction to Sustainability and Business (https://www.evergreen.edu/catalog/offering/introduction-to-sustainability-and-business-42776) in the Fall 2024 quarter before taking this program.

This course is offered fully online and our cohort will meet twice a week on Zoom. Our study will require 12 hours of out-of-classroom work and 8 hours of synchronous work per week. The technology required for successful engagement includes high-speed internet and a computer (not just a cell phone) for Canvas and the Green Business Lab app; Zoom (including breakout rooms with audio and video); and MS Office 365, including One-Drive. Students will also need to be able to conduct online research. This program requires a high-level of active participation/engagement and collaborative teamwork throughout the quarter.

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:

3 - Sustainable Business Fundamentals

3 - Sustainable Strategic Decision-making

2 - Collaborative Teamwork and Project Management