Forum Archive Index - May 2000

["Rob Henderson" <robhenderson@paradise.net.nz>]

Sorry Tony, i too have no idea what "organic growth" means in the context of
the Wharehouse's future financial outlook -

But given the replies you received i just gotta add that .......

A substantial amount of NZ's export earnings are directly/indirectly derived
from our marketing advantage as a 'clean and green' country but that
precious little is put back (by either business or government) into
enhancing this market advantage through protecting the environment or
developing businesses environmental knowledge and strategies - doesn't seem
like very smart business to me -

With regard to organic products the international market for such is
booming, has been for at least the last 6 years and is forecast to grow
exponentially. For example, i believe Zespri now export 25% organic
kiwifruit and Hubbard secured a 10ml (?) order from Tesco's earlier in the
year based largely on the fact that he could guarantee GE free product -

If even 1% of what is used to subsidise and/or support the ag/hort
industries in NZ was diverted to R&D on organics we may be able to have an
informed debate about the future potential of such business opportunities.
Instead, as has been demonstrated by a couple of posts here from the
presumably more business literate (and also at times from the likes of some
of the people these posts make fun of) the 'business' debate about
sustainable development and/or organics seems stuck at an ideological
level -

>From a business point of view the real issue is - does a proactive approach
to environmental management/sustainable development (an organics industry is
an example of such) offer NZ an opportunity for competitive business
advantage or not? The tourism industry knows it does but most other
industries, government and environmentalists haven't even begun to ask the
right questions let alone know the answers yet -

The level of cynicism and ignorance often demonstrated in NZ of business and
environment issues is, considering that our pristine environment is one of
our key competitive advantages potentially dangerous for our future economic
competitiveness - once we lose this image in the eyes of consumers it will
not be won back. Perhaps its time to think outside the square, and instead
of apathetically living off our gift of 'natural' capital begin some R&D on
the environmentally sustainable products the world seems to increasingly
desire (and what premiums they will be willing to pay for them and why)
regardless of ideology and prejudice -






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