A New Beginning

As my project now has a title, I have created a new blog surrounding the further development of this project 'Small Change' on the following link:

http://smallchangegeelong.wordpress.com/


enjoy!

Well it’s been a while

The time that I would have spent writing has been duly dedicated to further developing my project – though it’s about time I update the blog.

So, let’s begin:

The abstract developed in the last post has been further developed and refined and is now complete:

The project focusses on small businesses based in the Geelong region and aims to create a consolidated method by which these small businesses can improve their sustainability practices. Current methods do not cater for the large percentage of small business wanting to make and document these changes. The method, through five stages, allows time poor small business to iterate their sustainable practices. It aims to be easy to follow, non-time restrictive and create a recognised document format with its completion. There is the possibility for collaboration (with a mentor) throughout the process, only at the beginning, only at the end or none at all. This is the toolkit of all toolkits; with references, tools and methods gathered from multiple resources aimed at giving the very best overall instrument to small business. It aims to be available online in a digital format with editable fields negating the need for printing and allows a platform to convene with users.

My project now has a title: Small Change

(feel free to leave feedback on either of these)

As you can see, I am developing a toolkit that is easy to follow and understand. It is not yet complete, though in its final stages. Once complete, I will begin a trialling process to ensure the toolkit is relevant to a wide range of businesses in Geelong. Once it is proven to meet the requirements of the business owners, the next step will be getting it out there and making the information available.

Abstract Review

Throughout the project, the aim is to create mission based businesses, (opposed to business based businesses) who value the concept of holistic sustainability in considering the People and the Planet along with their Profit. Sustainability is measured in terms of good or bad, with a sustainable business classed as one who has ‘no adverse negative impact’. The book World Changing states ‘no societal force other than business is capable of delivering the magnitude of economic change we need in the limited time we have.’ For this reason, the project focusses on the sustainability of small businesses, who make up approximately 98% of all business, using Geelong as an example as there is a large concentration of SME’s.

Feedback

Last week we had the opportunity to present out research and findings to a panel for feedback. Through this, my seemingly concise project opened up to something much larger and more complicated. I must constantly remember that through small actions we save the world and concentrate on the micro level to change the macro through this project. I have had the past week to stew over my ideas, to develop and research accordingly and begin the process of design as research. Coming soon: a checklist for trials!

Tech Extraordinaire

You can find me on Twitter, @kateosca, as I have been working between blogging and Twitter-ing to compile resources and information.
The beauty of these methods is that you, as a reader and viewer, can leave comments! So please do, they are always helpful.

Tools

So far I have determined that for small business, especially in the Geelong region where my project is focused, there is a lack of suitable and accessible tools geared towards sustainability. That's not to say there is a lack of tools altogether, but there is a gap when it comes to availability and knowledge of these tools - and as mentioned, their suitability and accessibly. So watch this space for some innovation in sustainable tools and their networks.

Please follow the link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NJC6L72
to complete an on-line 10-quick-question survey about your business and sustainability.
I am currently gathering information to help the project direction. The information gathered will not be used for any other purpose than that of the Designing Sustainability project.
thanks for your input!

Design Strategy

My Oh My

My Oh My, what have I found out?

I have entered this stage that I will refer to as immersion – unstructured ‘head long’ jumping into the subject area. Have I found out too much or not enough? Well, I have not yet scared myself out of my project, so I’ll go with not enough. The information I have found certainly backs up my initial thoughts; small businesses make up around 95% of industry. Make a change here and your impacting many people!

I have decided to focus on Geelong, as a geographical location for this project. Not only are there sustainable business oriented initiatives in place and signed environmental agreements, but there is a willingness and desire to move forward and ‘do good.’ In doing this, I am able to consider the area as a community, with businesses working on and with each other. A created model can then be scaled up to suit larger cities or scaled down to suit small towns.

In the beginning...

Follow my project as I complete my fourth year of Industrial Design.

A the the moment, my mission statement looks like this:

Design is entwined in business through many different means -it is often looked at in terms of ‘Management,’ or ‘Organisation.’ The idea of my project is to consider design within business and implement strategies that combine the methodology and ideology of business and design when working towards sustainable goals. This was initially considered with the focus on each employee as a creator of change within a business. Small changes in their day to day tasks can filter up the system to create a sustainably orientated company. Large business or small business will be the focus as one method may not suit every business. This can be considered through a case study, working with a particular business on their goals, or through creating a profile of businesses in a geographical location.