Blackstone Corporation

 Our Environmental Sustainability Products and Services

Dr. David DeYoe employs a systems-based approach in addressing issues that affect resource use, environmental health and innovation to help position and prepare communities and companies, particularly those in rural, resource rich areas, to capitalize on opportunities that will  stimulate economic development and diversify and grow local business.  Figure 1 captures the conceptual framework within which Bio-Trend Systems operates.  During the past decade increasing emphasis on sustainable communities has prompted technology and process innovations in sectors relevant to maintenance of life’s resources to improve environmental health and stimulate economic development and jobs.  The focus on rural, resource rich communities, and local businesses, is based on: a) the importance of community networks in helping re-build a regional resource infrastructure capable of supporting future demands on limited resources, b) a local desire and urgency to revitalize social and economic foundations, and c) a “can do, make it happen” attitude.

Figure 1: Earth Wellness Framework

Bio-Trend Systems products and services include 5 major areas of endeavor:  engaging, learning, positioning, preparing and doing. This strategic process has been applied to: a) Individual Municipalities and Regional Community Networks, b) Research and Development Institutions and Associations, and c) Small Businesses, which are seeking to diversify, or initiating a start-up. The sector areas typically considered for business/economic development and/or strategic positioning include individually, or in combination:  bio-based products from forest and farm, renewable energy and/or green/clean technologies, all consistent with rural, resource rich areas. More organization-specific focus areas have included technology transfer for policy development and/or field application.  Figure 2 provides the platform for BTS business operation – its products and services.

Figure 2:  Strategic Process. 

• Engaging, Involving and Rewarding. The first step in working with any community or company is to engage the leaders, involve them in the process and reward those who contribute. Leaders are not just senior management - they are also those who step forward and volunteer. Participant diversity is important, with cultural, gender and age representation adding value in providing insights and ideas for further development.
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• Learning.   The second step is designed to create a level playing field in which participants gain a common understanding of the fundamental principles, issues and opportunities associated with the challenge. This is an essential step in helping prepare those involved to fully engage in a manner that instills confidence and promotes active participation.

 

 

• Positioning: Global Trends, Local Solutions.   The third step is helping a community, or a company, fully appreciate the complex mix of uncertainties that are starting to, and will continue to, influence our way of life in the coming decades. Understanding the realities of a changing climate, resource depletion and socio-economic uncertainties, and the implications their interrelationship impose, is prerequisite to designing strategies that stimulate economic opportunity while mitigating limitations to a sustainable future. The purpose – identify the “silver lining” inherent in global threats as it relates to business and economic development opportunities in the green/clean technology and process innovation sector.

 

 

• Preparing.  The fourth step involves working closely with community or corporate leaders to facilitate the generation of ideas that: a) build on local capacity and capability, b) identify specific opportunities in the green/clean sector that fit within the corporate or community mantra, and c) help stimulate a “we can do that” way of thinking by keeping focused on what’s doable, particularly in the short-term. This generates momentum, excitement and results that help lead to longer-term commitment to implement actions and recommendations arising from planning and positioning activities to capitalize on opportunities suited to rural, resource rich communities and companies moving toward the green/clean space.

 

 

• Doing.  The final step translates plans to action, working with community leaders, Municipal or Corporate leaders and their key financial administrators.  A systematic action plan is developed that targets keystone projects or tasks, actions that are foundational and set the stage for progress.