Business knowledge is, in large part, imparted by those in the field rather than this in the laboratory (or University). So says Dr. Karen Newman, professor at Daniels College of Business, Denver University. Those in the workforce bring their real-life, practical application back to the lab, and educators impart an adaptive lesson plan based upon what is really happening in the field.

Newman was a guest on the Connect and Collaborate with ICOSA segment of the nationally syndicated Experience Pros Radio Show, where she rolled out her thoughts on what she calls “sustainable careers”. According to her, in order for a career to be sustainable, three key factors must come to play.

1. Flexibility. Employers must be willing to offer a variety of hours, stay adaptable, and able to change. So too, workers must be able to fit within a flexible paradigm.
2. Renewability. Workers need an opportunity to recharge their batteries by being able to vary their jobs from the rapids to the reservoir. Human Resources must realize that people are someone to invest in, not use up and throw away.
3. Integration. At the end of a sustainable career, workers ask themselves, “what meaning has my life brought to the world?” the legacy left behind becomes more valuable to those with sustainability in the forefront of their thought process.

“We must re-imagine how business is done, and who brings value to the table,” says Newman. And so it is. Sustainable businesses are doing just that… Re-thinking the paradigm of the value of employees beyond – in some cases, well beyond the standard definitions of those in the workforce.

Eric Reamer and Angel Tuccy are the hosts of the Experience Pros Radio Show, and best-selling authors of Lists That Saved My Business. For more information about the show, please visit www.ExperiencePros.com.