Success Stories
Kimball Office
GO Initiatives partnered with Kimball Office, a leading contract furniture manufacturer, division of $2B Kimball International, to create a sustainability strategy. The 18-month project influenced buyer preferences, increasing the number of sales opportunities and sales.
We began with market research; competitive analysis, benchmarking, and identification of unique niche opportunities. The resulting strategic recommendation and tactical implementation plan included:
- Launch of the recognized third-party certification of continuous improvement ISO 14001 Environmental Management System for all manufacturing plants
- Supply capabilities for third-party Forest Stewardship Certification of wood veneers, materials and processes
- Expedited introduction of low indoor air emission PURA, a highly durable, clear and aesthetic UV water-based wood finish
- Greening the supply chain with the EPA Green Supplier Network
- Introduction/facilitation of a multidisciplinary internal Green Team
- Organizational training
- Marketing communications including video, brochures and website content
The case study is featured in the book published by PR News, Going Green: Case Studies in Outstanding Business Practice.
"GO Initiatives' combination of design approach, sustainability expertise, and overall business skills has advanced our journey in sustainability. The work GOi has done and their ability to work with a variety of people in different functional areas has allowed for a broad and yet consistent approach to our sustainability commitment." Dan Miller, Executive Vice President, President Furniture Kimball International
Lamin-Art
Lamin-Art, tenured design leader in premium decorative surfaces, enlisted GO Initiatives to help make sense of questions customers were asking about sustainability and product alignment with green building initiatives. GOi initiated a deep dive discovery of Lamin-Art including the competition and their own company's people, products and processes.
The evaluation opened new avenues for communication between executive management, lending support to the engagement and education of the organization.
GOi worked with Lamin-Art's founder and owner to express his vision for sustainability in "Let's stop professing green and start enabling green", becoming the corporate mantra for sustainability, empowering a Green Team, and resulting in an evidence-based aspirational advertising campaign. GOi developed an informational brochure for Lamin-Art stakeholders on the emerging State of California indoor air quality CARB regulation, expanded it into a training module and film, "A breath of fresh air stirs the winds of change".
"GO Initiative's expertise, perspective, and candor were a breath of fresh air for our company as it worked to find its position and our products' place in the overall discussion of green design. We have broken through barriers and our company is on its way to thought leadership regarding sustainability." Scott Lavoie, Marketing, Lamin-Art
Kendall College of Art and Design, Ferris State University
Kendall engaged the services of GO Initiatives to help the school connect design and business in a variety of ways:
- Promoting the new Advanced Studies Certificate in Design + Innovation Management now part of Ferris State University's MBA Program
- Contributing to the Helen Kendall lecture series on leadership
- Routinely addressing MBA classes on leadership in design
- Creating annual student tours to China linking its legacy of design, current business of design practices, and the future role of design in China
"GO Initiatives' work has directly contributed to the fulfillment of Kendall's mission to prepare its graduates for professional lives as artists and designers. GOi's ability to envision, establish and build strategic business relationships and opportunities for our school and students has made a real difference. Oliver H. Evans, President/Vice Chancellor KCAD/FSU
"It is just now that the world seems to be catching up to Georgy Olivieri. She has been ahead of her time with her ability to apply sustainability solutions to business." Ward Makielski, Instructor/ Program Director, Ferris State University
