With all of the hype around sustainability and corporate social responsibility, are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of “going green” to beat your competitors to the punch? Don’t be too quick to judge your organization’s shade of green. If your business has weathered the current economic recession, you might already be greener than you think.

A simple definition of a “sustainable” business is one that makes the most of its resources, without having negative impacts on the environment, the community, their employees and their bottom line. A few key steps may have you seeing green in no time:

• Make time to write 3 lists. Entitle them Social (employee and community relations), Environment (waste and pollution), Economic (company profitability). On each of the lists, write what your company does well. List successes in each category, for example: Does your company donate to local charities? Yes means an item in the “Social” category. Have a recycling plan? That’s an item for the “Environment” list. Is your company profitable without compromising quality of service? That is a plus for the “Economic” list.

• Review your lists for areas where you may be deficient, wasteful or failing to perform. Many business owners are blind to recognizing the “way they have always done things” may not be as efficient as they believe. Ask your employees for their honest feedback, and as tough as their input may be to hear, thank them for their thoughtful comments and ideas.

• Use the Internet and sustainability experts to make improvements. Once you have identified areas that need improvement, check web sites that have suggestions for improving or implementing sustainable business practices, or consult with a local expert. These resources can often help you see the strengths and weaknesses within your business sector, and can suggest implementing strategies that avoid negatively impacting business practices.

• Notify your customers of your successes and your plans to continue ‘green upgrading’ your business. Customers feel comfortable doing business with companies that show concern for their employees and the environment. This will build trust and loyalty.

While these few steps won’t change your business into a “green” business overnight, they can help put you on the right path to sustainability. With time and commitment to a sustainable business plan, success will soon be yours to enjoy-and your customers, community and the environment will enjoy it too!