Sustainability can pump profits | By Brita Moosmann ISHC, Kit Cassingham ISHC

Sustainable development is an overlap of business and stakeholder interests. By managing according to principles that will strengthen rather than undermine the hotel's roots in the environment, social fabric and economy, sustainable development makes your hotel viable for the long term instead of being in survival mode in the short term. The concept of the Triple Bottom Line—also known as the 3Ps of people, planet, profit—is a model for attaining and measuring the impact of sustainable operations. Though it looks like an accounting term, and possibly should be, the principles outlined in the book of the same title by Andrew Savitz help you remember that all three elements are necessary in a successful operation: Profit (economic prosperity), people (social responsibility), and planet (environmental protection) will strengthen each other in the right mix and constellation. The following diagram shows the interconnectedness of the three elements:

Where social, economic and environmental considerations overlap is where sustainable profit for all stakeholders will be greatest in the long run. That’s your sweet spot of operation.

In this context, sustainability is more than the green or environmental movement of "reduce," "reuse" and "recycle." It goes beyond that to include "rethink." Being sustainable requires rethinking where you generate waste in your procedures so you can plug that leak, as you would a leak in your plumbing. It also requires considering the consequences of all business actions on the social environment and on all stakeholders, including owners and investors. It sometimes requires thinking outside the box to find better ways of doing things, better ways of using your resources, better ways of communicating and measuring. Rethinking your operations can lead to greater efficiency and thus greater profits and sustainability.