I’m glad to hear you’re getting such requests. More companies are now seeing the value of ecodesign strategies. Regarding your question being engaged with this site is a good indication you are serious about providing ecodesign options to your clients. And the Okala methodology and other resources available via Sustainable Minds can provide a solid foundation for delivering quality services.

However, what isn’t included is the practical knowledge to transfer this information into part of a consulting service mix. This response offers you and other consultants a simple framework for how to best integrate ecodesign services.

This information is available in detailed form in a new Greenleaf publication, Consulting for Business Sustainability. Chapter 12, A Guide to Sustainable Design Consulting, directly addresses your question and it is my contribution to the book. I’ll provide an outline of the key practice points within the chapter, but I recommend you obtain the publication. http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com/consult

1: Do your homework First, a company must have a genuine appetite for developing more environmentally responsible products and/or processes. Be certain your client views this approach as strategic to their business future and not just a short-term marketing detail. Start by acquiring information regarding corporate mission statements on the environment, current supply chain practices, any ‘low hanging fruit’ processes underway – anything that helps you get a fix on how the company perceives and communicates its environmental role.

Assuming a genuine desire to improve environmental performance is in place, you must next define the company’s specific goals and objectives. This could be problematic if no policies or design processes are in place. But try to help your client define specific environmental and fiscal goals associated with ecodesign planning (my book chapter cites examples). Ultimately this will require a commitment from your client to redefine new product development processes and to look at their business and products from a life cycle perspective.

2: Integrate the internal team Also, if an internal products team is in place, they will need to be part of that team’s entire process from the beginning. You may be providing consulting design services, but the internal team will likely be responsible for implementation and follow-through on your concepts. Without their input and buy-in, success will be almost impossible.

3: Employ Okala Besides knowing some basics about environmental impacts, you will need to help your client benchmark existing products or systems. Here I suggest you conduct a couple of single-figure life cycle analyses (LCA) using the Okala methodology. Keep this simple and don’t select complex products or systems.

Share your Okala LCA data with the team and then work with them on new concepts using the ecodesign strategy wheel. Seek innovative approaches to a next generation product that will reduce or eliminate the major environmental impacts you documented in the product benchmark.

To conduct a benchmark you will need access to a variety of data related to the current life cycle of the product/system you plan to use. It may take some time to get all supply chain players on board, so be patient but persistent. The nature of this data is referenced in the book chapter and within Sustainable Minds LCA software.

4: Positioning your role How you position your consulting role can also make or break this type of service relationship. I recommend you initially take the role of information gatherer and process facilitator by empowering the internal management and development team members.

Of course if you have prior experience with ecodesign examples, use these to gain credibility and a comfort level with the internal team. As for the fiscal side of things, treat these activities as you would any other time and material project by doing realistic time estimates.

Ultimately your direction and input may help your client achieve some fiscal savings in reduced materials or lower transportation costs, but do not promise any cost reductions up front. These possible outcomes will likely be beyond your control and area of responsibility. The internal team, and supply chain partners will be best suited to doing this type of math.

Your ultimate bottom line is maintaining a long-term client relationship that adds value over time. If you follow the ecodesign consulting guidelines mentioned here and in the Greenleaf book chapter, your chances of success should increase.

Image source: Greenleaf Publishing, Inc.
Image source: J. Ottman Consulting, Inc.