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Kimpton Hotels’ Earthcare Program, Case No. 7 Essay

Decent Essays

Roy Bryant

BUAD 326.003

11/30/2011

Final Exam Assignment

Kimpton Hotels’ EarthCare Program, case no. 7

1. What are the benefits of Kimpton’s environmental sustainability initiatives? What are its costs? - Kimpton’s environmental sustainability initiatives have proven successful and beneficial both in terms of its environmental and business benefits. Environmental improvement is one of the benefits of diverting waste. Some of the benefits are exemplified in their rollout phases, including: introducing non-disruptive and cost-reducing operational practices such as a recycling program, non-toxic cleaning products, promotional materials printed on recycled paper, complimentary coffee that was organically grown, …show more content…

2. How would you justify the EarthCare program to Kimpton’s board of directors and stockholders? That is, what is the business case for this program? - The top executives considered this program for many positive reasons. First off, the company’s brand and mission rested on the EarthCare program – to maintain the care integrity, and uniqueness that customers had come to associate with its chain of boutique hotels. Kimpton wants their impact to be felt all over, where this program can influence other hotels to start an environmental initiative. Also, the EarthCare program is willing to stay abreast with ongoing standards and norms of the company. It will also being about new success, new business partnerships, possibly increase employment, and being eco-friendly is more advantageous than not.

3. What challenges face the EarthCare program, and how might Kimpton overcome them? - The case study describes some of the potential operational risks and challenges including: • Resistance by General Managers who may fear losing their autonomy because of a corporate mandated program. • Potential resistance by hotel staff to new products and procedures. Kimpton had a low turnover rate. Their employees had been there for years and had become accustomed to doing things in a certain manner. For example, they stated “many cleaning staff

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