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13-Stage Industry Strategy for Dealing with an Environmental Challenge

Found posted on a colleague’s office door, I think it’s one of those things that used to get passed around by email. Still remarkably accurate. It only says Source: King 2005 (?).

Stage 1

There is no environmental problem.

Stage 2

There may be a problem, but we must study it for 5-10 years to be sure.

Stage 3

If there is a problem, it is not significant.

Stage 4

The problem may be significant, but we must study it further to be sure.

Stage 5

If there is a significant problem, we are not responsible.

Stage 6

If we are responsible, our economic impacts are far more important.

Stage 7

If we must respond, we will voluntarily self-regulate

Stage 8

If a new law is needed, we must help write it.

Stage 9

If new rules are needed, we must help write them.

Stage 10

The rules are fine, we just don’t like the enforcement provisions.

Stage 11

The enforcement provisions are fine but the penalties are excessive.

Stage 12

These regulations must change or we will be forced out of business!

Stage 13

We found a technical innovation – the costs are not bad after all.

 

Notes:

  • Expect each stage to be stretched out as long as possible.
  • Several stages may take place simultaneously.
  • State 13 only arrives when industry leaders become concerned that continued claims of unbearable compliance costs and penalties are beginning to affect stock prices.
May 9, 2010 at 8:05 am
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