A great story of business in synch with nature

Julie and I were invited to the Hermann Miller (HM) showroom to see their residential furniture options. I have always known HM to be ahead of the game with innovation and design, but I did not realize the extent of their commitment to the environment. As I meet with more businesses and learn of their histories, it is clear that the companies leading the way today were either founded by visionaries - or have been influenced by visionary leaders. These individual business leaders have a clear understanding that a company can not merely concern itself with the economic bottom line - one must seriously consider the people involved and the environment. This thought inspired me, as it is an example of how an individual can make a difference. Herman Miller's environmental awareness can be traced back to the company's founder, D.J. De Pree, a devoutly religious person who felt a personal concern for the world and everything in it. In the early 1950s he penned a statement of corporate values that declared Herman Miller "will be a good corporate neighbor by being a good steward of the environment." This brings me to the story. While we were visiting HM Barb told us a story that helps sum up the HM brand.

The HM manufacturing facility in Michigan had a wasp problem. This was back in the 1950's when the common remedy to eliminate wasps was with poison. However, since HM recognized that this solution could endanger the people working in the building more than a few pesty wasp bites, they did some more research. They found that honey bees normally populate the same area and they could be used to push out the wasps. Honey bees do not pose a threat to people, and they can help nurture the wildflowers in the area. So HM hired a beekeeper to set up a honey bee farm.

The beekeeper then informed the furniture manufacturer that they had a new product: honey. So to this day HM produces and bottles honey. They give out beautifully designed bottles of honey to customers, vendors, and lucky visitors like myself.

After that warm and fuzzy story, and a great lunch, I had to rest a bit on the Eames lounge. Promoting responsible businesses can be quite satisfying.