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John Byrd
and
Kenneth Bettenhausen
This is Class 2 of the MOOC Specialization, Become a Sustainable Business Change Agent.
In this class you will learn more change agent skills and hear from people who have made changes in their organizations.
You will also learn more about green design and sustainability reporting.
The skills from this class will help improve products and services in your company or help the company issue its first, or an improved sustainability report.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/8am0go/more
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What's inside
Syllabus
Implementing Change: The basics
Introducing change in a organization is not simple. Initiatives you think are 'no brainers' can face opposition and more complex change requires careful planning. Your success in initiating change depends on your ability to understand and leverage the organizational forces that constrain and empower individual discretion. In this module you will learn that initiating change requires both leadership and effective management. You will learn how to identify the forces at work in the organization that can be tapped to drive change and the forces that maintain the status quo, restraining change to the new state. Finally, you will identify the ways that the roles people hold in organizations constrain their behavior in predictable ways...that you can use to anticipate opposition and identify potential allies.
Read more
Syllabus
Implementing Change: The basics
Introducing change in a organization is not simple. Initiatives you think are 'no brainers' can face opposition and more complex change requires careful planning. Your success in initiating change depends on your ability to understand and leverage the organizational forces that constrain and empower individual discretion. In this module you will learn that initiating change requires both leadership and effective management. You will learn how to identify the forces at work in the organization that can be tapped to drive change and the forces that maintain the status quo, restraining change to the new state. Finally, you will identify the ways that the roles people hold in organizations constrain their behavior in predictable ways...that you can use to anticipate opposition and identify potential allies.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores key concepts in green design and sustainability reporting, which are standard in business today
Teaches practical change agent skills for improving products, services, and business operations, which helps learners become change leaders
Develops skills for introducing and implementing sustainable changes in organizations, which are core skills for sustainability professionals
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Create your own learning path.
Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary
Implementing change and sustainability reporting
According to learners, this course offers a mix of theoretical frameworks and practical tools for embedding sustainability within organizations. Students found the modules on Green Design and Sustainability Reporting particularly valuable, appreciating the coverage of standards like GRI and SASB. However, some felt the initial modules on Implementing Change were too theoretical and could benefit from more real-world examples tailored to diverse industries. The Peer Assessment component was a point of mixed feedback, with some finding it helpful and others noting inconsistencies in evaluation. Overall, it's seen as a solid introduction for professionals looking to understand and drive sustainability initiatives.
Theoretical frameworks for organizational change.
"The modules on implementing change laid out useful theoretical frameworks for understanding organizational dynamics."
"Understanding the political side of change and identifying stakeholders was a valuable part of the course."
"It provided a solid grounding in change management principles relevant to sustainability initiatives."
"The first part of the course focuses heavily on the theory behind organizational change."
Offers insights from real-world agents.
"Hearing from people who have actually implemented change was inspiring and provided valuable insights."
"The interviews were a great addition, bringing real-world perspectives to the concepts discussed."
"I enjoyed the practitioner interviews; they made the course more relatable and practical."
"The video interviews were a highlight, showing how these ideas work in different organizational contexts."
Good overview of GRI, SASB, and CDP.
"Understanding GRI, SASB, and CDP is crucial, and this course provided a great introduction to these frameworks."
"The module on Sustainability Reporting was very informative, covering the main standards effectively."
"I appreciated the clear explanation of different reporting standards and why companies use them."
"The course does a good job highlighting the importance and structure of CSR reporting based on standards like GRI."
Offers practical tools like Life-Cycle Assessment.
"The module on Green Design and Life-Cycle Assessment was very practical and gave me tools I can actually use."
"I found the section on LCA particularly insightful for understanding product impact."
"Learning about green design principles and LCA opened my eyes to new possibilities."
"The content on Life-Cycle Assessment was comprehensive and easy to follow, providing a clear methodology."
Experiences with peer feedback varied.
"The peer assessment is a good idea, but the quality of feedback received was very inconsistent."
"Evaluating peers helped solidify my understanding, but receiving useful feedback was hit or miss."
"I sometimes found the peer assessments challenging due to varying levels of effort and understanding among participants."
"While the assignment itself was relevant, the grading and feedback from peers weren't always helpful."
Some modules lack real-world examples.
"While the change theory was interesting, I wished there were more practical examples showing how to apply it in different companies."
"The 'Implementing Change' section felt a bit abstract at times; it could use more case studies."
"I found the transition from theory to practical steps in change management could have been clearer."
"Some concepts, especially in the first half, needed more concrete illustrations to see how they play out in reality."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in More on Change and Sustainability with these
activities:
Review Sustainable Business Concepts
Show steps
Recall the core concepts of sustainable business to enhance your understanding as you progress through the course.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Business
Show steps
-
Read articles on sustainable business practices.
-
Watch videos on sustainability.
Review Fundamentals of Chemistry
Show steps
Brush up on your chemistry fundamentals to provide a strong foundation for understanding sustainability concepts.
Browse courses on
Chemistry
Show steps
-
Review notes from previous chemistry courses.
-
Read introductory chemistry textbooks.
-
Practice solving chemistry problems.
Take an Online Course on Sustainable Business Practices
Show steps
Expand your knowledge of sustainability by taking an online course from a reputable provider.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Business Practices
Show steps
-
Research online courses on sustainable business practices.
-
Choose a course that fits your interests and needs.
-
Enroll in the course.
-
Complete the course.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Calculate Carbon Footprint
Show steps
Master how to calculate an organization's carbon footprint and identify opportunities for reducing emissions.
Browse courses on
Carbon Footprint
Show steps
-
Use an online carbon footprint calculator.
-
Gather data on your organization's energy use, travel, and waste production.
-
Input the data into the calculator.
-
Calculate your organization's carbon footprint.
Read 'Sustainability Reporting: A Guide for Managers'
Show steps
Learn the fundamentals of sustainability reporting to enhance your ability to create credible and effective reports.
View
Corporate Governance: Principles, Policies, and...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book.
-
Take notes on key concepts.
-
Complete the self-assessment quizzes at the end of each chapter.
-
Discuss the book with others.
Practice Developing Sustainability Reports
Show steps
Meet and discuss sustainability reporting techniques and best practices with peers to solidify your knowledge and skills.
Show steps
-
Find a peer or group of peers to meet with.
-
Set a time to meet regularly.
-
Choose a topic from the course to discuss each time you meet.
-
Come to the meeting prepared to share your thoughts and insights.
-
Be prepared to listen to and learn from others.
Develop a Sustainability Plan for Your Organization
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of sustainability principles to create a plan that will help your organization reduce its environmental impact.
Show steps
-
Research sustainability best practices.
-
Identify your organization's environmental impacts.
-
Set sustainability goals.
-
Develop a plan to achieve your goals.
-
Implement your plan.
Design a Green Building
Show steps
Test your Green Design skills by using your knowledge to design a sustainable building.
Show steps
-
Choose a building type and location.
-
Research green building design principles.
-
Design your building.
-
Submit your design for review.
Review Sustainable Business Concepts
Show steps
Recall the core concepts of sustainable business to enhance your understanding as you progress through the course.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Business
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read articles on sustainable business practices.
- Watch videos on sustainability.
Review Fundamentals of Chemistry
Show steps
Brush up on your chemistry fundamentals to provide a strong foundation for understanding sustainability concepts.
Browse courses on
Chemistry
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review notes from previous chemistry courses.
- Read introductory chemistry textbooks.
- Practice solving chemistry problems.
Take an Online Course on Sustainable Business Practices
Show steps
Expand your knowledge of sustainability by taking an online course from a reputable provider.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Business Practices
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research online courses on sustainable business practices.
- Choose a course that fits your interests and needs.
- Enroll in the course.
- Complete the course.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Calculate Carbon Footprint
Show steps
Master how to calculate an organization's carbon footprint and identify opportunities for reducing emissions.
Browse courses on
Carbon Footprint
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Use an online carbon footprint calculator.
- Gather data on your organization's energy use, travel, and waste production.
- Input the data into the calculator.
- Calculate your organization's carbon footprint.
Read 'Sustainability Reporting: A Guide for Managers'
Show steps
Learn the fundamentals of sustainability reporting to enhance your ability to create credible and effective reports.
View
Corporate Governance: Principles, Policies, and...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book.
- Take notes on key concepts.
- Complete the self-assessment quizzes at the end of each chapter.
- Discuss the book with others.
Practice Developing Sustainability Reports
Show steps
Meet and discuss sustainability reporting techniques and best practices with peers to solidify your knowledge and skills.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a peer or group of peers to meet with.
- Set a time to meet regularly.
- Choose a topic from the course to discuss each time you meet.
- Come to the meeting prepared to share your thoughts and insights.
- Be prepared to listen to and learn from others.
Develop a Sustainability Plan for Your Organization
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of sustainability principles to create a plan that will help your organization reduce its environmental impact.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research sustainability best practices.
- Identify your organization's environmental impacts.
- Set sustainability goals.
- Develop a plan to achieve your goals.
- Implement your plan.
Design a Green Building
Show steps
Test your Green Design skills by using your knowledge to design a sustainable building.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a building type and location.
- Research green building design principles.
- Design your building.
- Submit your design for review.
Career center
Learners who complete More on Change and Sustainability will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Sustainability Reporter
Sustainability Reporter
Sustainability Reporters report on the sustainability performance of organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Sustainability Reporters.
Sustainability Policy Analyst
Sustainability Policy Analyst
Sustainability Policy Analysts analyze sustainability policies. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Sustainability Policy Analysts.
Climate Change Analyst
Climate Change Analyst
Climate Change Analysts analyze climate change. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Climate Change Analysts.
Change Management Consultant
Change Management Consultant
Change Management Consultants help organizations implement change. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Change Management Consultants.
Sustainability Analyst
Sustainability Analyst
Sustainability Analysts analyze the sustainability performance of organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Sustainability Analysts. The course also covers green design and life-cycle assessment, which are important tools for analyzing sustainability performance.
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Managers oversee the social and environmental performance of organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Corporate Social Responsibility Managers. The course also covers green design and life-cycle assessment, which are important tools for improving social and environmental performance.
Sustainability Educator
Sustainability Educator
Sustainability Educators teach about sustainability. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Sustainability Educators. The course also covers green design and life-cycle assessment, which are important tools for teaching about sustainability.
Sustainable Supply Chain Manager
Sustainable Supply Chain Manager
Sustainable Supply Chain Managers oversee the sustainability of supply chains. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Sustainable Supply Chain Managers.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Managers oversee the sustainability performance of organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Sustainability Managers. The course also covers green design and life-cycle assessment, which are important tools for improving sustainability performance.
Product Sustainability Manager
Product Sustainability Manager
Product Sustainability Managers oversee the sustainability of products. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Product Sustainability Managers. The course also covers green design and life-cycle assessment, which are important tools for improving product sustainability.
Renewable Energy Project Developer
Renewable Energy Project Developer
Renewable Energy Project Developers develop renewable energy projects. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Renewable Energy Project Developers.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Environmental Engineers. The course also covers green design and life-cycle assessment, which are important tools for designing sustainable solutions.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants help organizations reduce their environmental impact and improve their sustainability performance. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Sustainability Consultants. The course also covers green design and life-cycle assessment, which are important tools for reducing environmental impact.
Green Building Consultant
Green Building Consultant
Green Building Consultants help organizations design and construct sustainable buildings. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Green Building Consultants. The course also covers green design and life-cycle assessment, which are important tools for designing sustainable buildings.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the environment. This course provides a strong foundation in change management and sustainability reporting, which are essential skills for Environmental Scientists. The course also covers green design and life-cycle assessment, which are important tools for studying the environment.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/8am0go/more
Reading list
We've selected ten books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
More on Change and Sustainability.
Provides a comprehensive framework for leading change in organizations. It covers the key principles and strategies for successful change management, and offers practical advice on how to overcome common challenges.
Provides a practical guide to the role of the change agent. It covers the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective change agent, and offers advice on how to navigate the challenges of organizational change.
Save
Provides a practical guide to changing behavior. It covers the key principles of behavioral change, and offers practical advice on how to apply these principles to real-world situations.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of sustainable design. It covers the key concepts of sustainability, and offers practical advice on how to design products and services that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Provides a practical guide to green design. It covers the key principles of green design, and offers practical advice on how to apply these principles to real-world projects.
Provides a comprehensive guide to sustainability reporting. It covers the key principles and practices of sustainability reporting, and offers practical advice on how to prepare a sustainability report.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing sustainable businesses. It covers the key principles of sustainability, and offers practical advice on how to create a more sustainable business.
Save
Provides a powerful and inspiring vision for a sustainable future. It argues that we need to create a new economic system that is based on the principles of sustainability.
Save
Provides a practical guide to green business. It covers the key principles of green business, and offers practical advice on how to create a more sustainable business.
Provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability. It covers the key principles of sustainability, and offers practical advice on how to create a more sustainable world.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/8am0go/more
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Rating
4.8
Effort
13 hours to complete
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Colorado System
Instructors
John Byrd
Kenneth Bettenhausen
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
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中文
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This course belongs to a
collection
called
Become a Sustainable Business Change Agent. It's comprised of four courses:
- Capstone: Creating A Sustainability Proposal
- First Steps in Making the Business Case for Sustainability
- More on Change and Sustainability (viewing)
- Sustainable Business: Big Issues, Big Changes
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