SeaChange Sustainability Project
Implementing Sustainability at Sea Change Resources Project Scope SeaChange would like to incorporate sustainability in their business operations. To help SeaChange to implement sustainability you are required to: Assess current sustainability practices at SeaChange through assessment of the company’s website. What can you learn about SeaChange values? Is corporate social responsibility and sustainability currently reflected in those values statements? What can you learn about the company’s passive or active sustainability practices? Does SeaChange possess the resources to implement sustainability Advice SeaChange on sustainability issues. This includes: What is sustainability Triple Bottom Line approach How sustainability can affect operating costs and profits Motivations for sustainable business practices How sustainability can create opportunities Goals of sustainability Types of sustainability initiatives Steps in implementing sustainability within an organization Importance of calculating the company’s ecological/carbon footprint Challenges/barriers to implementing sustainability Requirements for implementing sustainability Legislation within the USA that governs sustainability practices in organizations within their industry The specific environmental concerns within the industry Any specific industry guidelines for implementing sustainability Industry benchmarks that could be used to measure sustainability within the organization Other companies that can be used as benchmarks to compare their sustainability practices SeaChange stakeholders – employees, management, contractors, clients, government, licensing authorities, etc. with whom SeaChange engages Importance of managing stakeholders Importance of communicating sustainability to stakeholders How sustainability can be communicated to stakeholders Importance of transparency Prepare a questionnaire for SeaChange to do an internal assessment of their current passive and active sustainability practices and the company readiness and ability to implement sustainability within the organization so that the company can developed a sustainability plan. (The questionnaire should be placed in the appendix and discussed within the report. Explain the purpose of the questionnaire and how the information obtained from the internal assessment would assist SeaChange in implementing sustainability within the organization) Questions should try to capture, for example: Company values; measure important to SeaChange in pursuit of sustainability; energy and waste management practices, resources available that can be invested into sustainability, safety controls, carbon/ecological footprint, motivations for sustainability, awareness of natural and social environment, awareness of triple bottom line approach and why important to sustainability Make recommendations SeaChange that includes: Why SeaChange must define what sustainability means to the company and the reasons the company wants to integrate sustainability into business operations Possible sustainability goals given the company’s industry, products and services, and business goals Sustainability initiatives that would be most suitable given the company’s operations, activities, and current passive sustainability practices etc. some of the most important KPI’s to track when considering sustainability. Carbon Footprint Energy Consumption Product Recycling Rate Saving Levels due to conservation and improvement efforts Supplier Environmental Sustainability Index Supply Chain Miles Water Footprint Waste Reduction Rate Waste Recycling Rate Prioritize the initiatives based on impact, lower vs. higher impact.
Digital Marketing Strategy
SeaChange Resources has historically provided leadership programs anchored in a 2-3 day immersive experience followed by 6 months of executive and team coaching. Due to COVID19 we are pivoting to virtual offerings in leadership development. We have recently built an online course (Crisis Management @ the Helm) using the SeaChange toolkit which is a compilation of leadership and management tools co-developed with clients over the last decade.This online course can be a self-guided offering to individuals or it can be used for teams in conjunction with executive and team coaching. We are now in the process of creating an online virtual simulation experience that could be coupled with the online course. Our need is for a digital marketing strategy for our virtual programs. Desired outcomes include: Assessment of our current marketing practices Research of online markets that would be receptive to our virtual offerings Recommendations in the form of a Digital Marketing Plan This project could be an in-class project or student internship.
Research on Mentoring Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life
NOSTOS - A Veteran’s Journey, is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life. The 18-month program includes a year-long mentorship with veterans who have already successfully transitioned working alongside the newly transitioning veterans. Our need is for a survey of best practices in mentoring that would be accompanied by a recommended course of action. Considerations: What training do mentors need to support newly transitioning veterans? How much infrastructure is needed to create continuity while allowing flexibility for differing circumstances? What modes of communication and technology best support mentoring? How can mentors connect their mentees with appropriate resources? How can the impact of mentoring be evaluated in the short, medium and long-term? Desired outcomes include: Survey of best practices in mentoring across public and private sectors Identification of potential strategic partnerships in mentoring Presentation of a recommended plan of action with prioritized next steps This could be an in-class project or student internship.
Market Expansion into the Blue Economy
SeaChange Resources is positioned to expand further into the Blue Economy. The World Bank defines the Blue Economy as “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs and ocean ecosystem health”. This includes renewable energy, fisheries, maritime transport, tourism, waste management and climate change. This will require leadership across systems on a scale that hasn’t been accomplished before - across organizations, sectors and countries. Currently SeaChange has four leadership development offerings that are based on maritime contexts: MaritimeQuest : The principles of operating as an effective team on the bridge of a ship apply to high performing teams everywhere.This 3-day ship simulator intensive is supported by 6 months of executive & team coaching. BridgeQues t: Virtual teams need to connect, communicate and collaborate across any distance.This intense 15-hour virtual team digital forensics simulation provides that toolkit and is supported by 6 months of executive & team coaching. SeaQuest : Through sailing we can learn how to adjust our sails to reach our destination no matter the direction of the wind or height of the seas.This 3-day sailing intensive is supported by 6 months of executive & team coaching. @ the Helm : Crisis management is much more than having a contingency plan.This 12-module virtual course provides leaders and teams with the tools, skills and mindsets to successfully navigate current and future crises. SeaChange Resources also has expertise in facilitation and leading across systems and could be positioned in a consulting capacity to support boundary spanning collaboration. Our need is to better understand the Blue Economy in order to identify a niche and develop an appropriate strategic marketing strategy. Consideration: Who are the Key Stakeholders in the Blue Economy? What are the leadership challenges within organizations and across organizations? Who else is supporting collaboration in this space? Desired Outcomes include: Survey of key stakeholders & needs assessment Research of markets that would be receptive to our leadership offerings Analysis and recommendation of potential consulting partners Development of a Strategic Marketing Plan
App Development for Veteran Resources
NOSTOS - A Veteran’s Journey, is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life. Billions of dollars and over 40,000 organizations across the United States are dedicated to supporting veterans but these resources are fragmented. Our intent is to create a continuum of support through leveraging technology: connecting veterans to national and local resources through their phone. Our need is for the development of an app that provides: One-stop shop for veterans seeking effective national and local resources Capability for veterans to evaluate the efficacy of the resources they use Communication portal for NOSTOS participants to engage with their mentor, cohort and Nostos Alumni Community Considerations: What current apps have features that could be adapted to a NOSTOS app? What would need to happen for the NOSTOS app to link to government resources? How can a simple user interface be maintained while at the same time allowing for the integration of diverse resources? Desired outcomes include: Prototype of app with features described above Presentation of findings and recommendations of next steps This could be an in-class project or student internship.
Asset Mapping of Veteran Resources
NOSTOS - A Veteran’s Journey, is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life. Over 40,000 organizations across the United States are dedicated to supporting veterans but these resources are fragmented. Our intent is to create a continuum of support, connecting veterans to resources nationally and locally. Our need is for asset mapping within the communities that support veterans across the public and private sectors. Considerations: What is the exposure to resources as military personnel transition out of the military? What resources do veterans tap into when they return to their home communities? Which initiatives are effective in connecting with veterans? Which veteran initiatives integrate effectively with other community resources? Which resources are underutilized? Desired outcomes include: Asset mapping of resources available to veterans across sectors Identification of potential resource partnerships in areas that overlap with NOSTOS Presentation of findings and recommendations that would inform a strategic development plan This could be an in-class project or student internship.
Research on Strategic Partnerships
NOSTOS - A Veteran’s Journey, is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life. Our intent is to leverage and connect existing resources vs. creating another stand-alone offering. Our need is to identify potential strategic partnerships in the government, private and non-profit sector. Considerations: What type of partnerships would be most appropriate for the NOSTOS model: infrastructure, funding, technology, mentoring, etc? What partnerships would most enable scaling? Is there an organization that could be an umbrella for NOSTOS? What might a partnership with the VA look like? Are there public-private collaboration models in other industries and countries that could be replicated? Desired outcomes include: Survey of successful veteran transition initiatives across sectors Survey of Public-Private Collaboration Models Prioritized List of Potential Strategic Partnerships and Recommended Next Steps This could be an in-class project or student internship.
Research on Mentoring Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life
NOSTOS - A Veteran’s Journey, is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life. The 18-month program includes a year-long mentorship with veterans who have already successfully transitioned working alongside the newly transitioning veterans. Our need is for a survey of best practices in mentoring that would be accompanied by a recommended course of action. Considerations: What training do mentors need to support newly transitioning veterans? How much infrastructure is needed to create continuity while allowing flexibility for differing circumstances? What modes of communication and technology best support mentoring? How can mentors connect their mentees with appropriate resources? How can the impact of mentoring be evaluated in the short, medium and long-term? Desired outcomes include: Survey of best practices in evaluating program efficacy Identification of potential strategic partnerships in program evaluation Recommended plan of action with prioritized next steps This could be an in-class project or student internship.
Research on Evaluating Program Efficacy
NOSTOS - A Veteran’s Journey, is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life. One of the main differentiators between NOSTOS and other veterans' initiatives is that we will be measuring efficacy throughout the program and in the years beyond. Our need is for a survey of best practices in program evaluation accompanied by a recommended course of action. Considerations: What factors can be effectively evaluated in the short and long term? What mode should we use to capture metrics after the formal part of the NOSTOS program is complete? How do we evaluate entities who partner with NOSTOS? Desired outcomes include: Survey of best practices in evaluating program efficacy Identification of potential strategic partnerships in program evaluation Recommended plan of action with prioritized next steps This could be an in-class project or student internship.
Digital Marketing Strategy
SeaChange Resources has historically provided leadership programs anchored in a 2-3 day immersive experience followed by 6 months of executive and team coaching. Due to COVID19 we are pivoting to virtual offerings in leadership development. We have recently built an online course (Crisis Management @ the Helm) using the SeaChange toolkit which is a compilation of leadership and management tools co-developed with clients over the last decade.This online course can be a self-guided offering to individuals or it can be used for teams in conjunction with executive and team coaching. We are now in the process of creating an online virtual simulation experience that could be coupled with the online course. Our need is for a digital marketing strategy for our virtual programs. Desired outcomes include: Assessment of our current marketing practices Research of online markets that would be receptive to our virtual offerings Recommendations in the form of a Digital Marketing Plan This project could be an in-class project or student internship.
Market Expansion Research
Blue Economy > Market Research > Recommendations Companies that want to grow sustainably We are ready to take our business to the next level. Presently we only exist in one market but it’s time to grow! Our company requires some assistance is assessing our customer landscape outside of our current territory. We want to learn more about customer’s expectations and behaviours in suggested new regions. It is important for us to stay up to date on industry standards to ensure that we research new locations fully and completely before choosing to enter. We have some ideas of where we would like to go but we need to make sure that we consider all available options before making a decision. Our specific need is an outline of our industry’s expansion opportunities through a location analysis. This report should include an optimal location recommendation list. To consider: which markets align with our current one? Where are there buyers that we have yet to reach? What are the pros and cons to expanding our operations? What potential competitors exist in new locations? What legal protocol will need to be considered? We would like this to be partnered with some primary data collection; surveys and research into our present and future consumer to gather insights into buying behaviours and expansion expectations. These should supplement the location recommendations.
Research on Evaluating Program Efficacy
One of the main differentiators between NOSTOS and other veterans' initiatives is that we will be measuring efficacy throughout the program and in the years beyond. Our need is for a survey of best practices in program evaluation that would be accompanied by a recommended course of action. Considerations: What factors can be effectively evaluated in the short and long term? What mode should we use to capture metrics after the formal part of the NOSTOS program is complete? How do we evaluate entities who partner with NOSTOS?