Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was set up by Henry Kravis and George Roberts in the mid-seventies with help from the First Chicago Corporation. But moving further, hoping to make the businesses in their portfolio have less of an environmental impact, KKR have rolled out a groundbreaking green project that has totally changed the way business concerns and environmental activists carry on their everyday business. When Henry Kravis from KKR and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) joined forces a year ago environmental issues in the business community became a hot topic. Their goals include encouraging their associated companies to tackle environmental menaces like deforestation and immeasurable consumption of water resources. Eco-efficiency (the phrase was initially endorsed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development WBCSD) is the formula applied to achieve these targets, utilizing policies like increasing the durability of products, reducing the dispersion of toxic chemicals and fuel economy. Simple and effective, but the management didn’t realize the full benefits of the project until Ken Mehlman, the head of the project and global public affairs, evaluated the project when it had been operating for its first year.

Much to everybody’s surprise, Ken discovered that utilizing eco-efficiency not only assisted in proctecting the environment, but also increased the profitability of all their businesses too. Nearly all of the businesses associated with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman nowadays utilize eco-efficiency. If you look at the fact that the portfolio is valued at 86,000,000,000 dollars, you can see what an enormous achievement this really is. These two organizations in association with Ken Mehlman are further extending the initial program. For instance, KKR linked up with the EDF’s Climate Corps Program that instructs interns studying for a Master’s in Business Administration how to promote cost-efficient, environmentally friendly techniques. KKR and Ken Mehlman have made the effort to develop metrics that oversee various resources. Systems such as these let management to track their progress and discover any underlying issues.

Henry Kravis, the KKR, and the Environmental Defense Fund are true visionaries in the business community. These developments have made going green less complicated for business organizations in any industry and shown that running a profitable business need not entail the hefty price of negatively impacting our planet.

You will probably have come across Mr. Naveen Jain’s name in connection with him being the CEO as well as co-founder of Intelius, Inc. the acclaimed information commerce company. Beyond making the Forbes 400 Richest in America list in 2000, this enterprising entrepreneur has received various prestigious awards including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the WSA Industry Achievement Award, and the Albert Einstein Technology Medal, to list only only three. Yet things absolutely grow out further from there. That’s because Naveen Jain and his kin are equally as avid about philanthropy and will attempt to lend a helping hand as often as they can. Kids beyond doubt constitute our world’s most priceless resource. They are moreover a main inspiration for this entrepreneur, and he takes each and every opportunity he sees to support them. This is why he is always intensely leveraging every opening available to him to lend a helping hand whenever possible. Thus, Naveen Jain, his relatives and his employees at Intelius donate their time and effort to charities such as the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, United Way, and the Indian American Education Foundation. Of course they hand out significant material support but most importantly they devote premium time and attention to the youth who require it the most. As well as this he sponsors the Children’s Hospital, striving to elevate the condition of children’s health. Seeing that Jain is a former student of the Indian Institute of Technology and XLRI Jamshedpur, it is hardly astounding that education is a key hub in his charitable operations. This incorporates deserving causes and good causes local, state, and nationwide. As a result Intelius and its CEO are actively involved in aiding charitable institutions and organizations such as TreeHouse, the University Preparatory Academy and Hopelink.

Getting sustenance over to the impoverished of the planet is another central objective for Jain and those around him and he refuses all distinction as to whether the person in danger is a baby or mature, or where they live, be it the greatest city or the lowest hovel. Although he is aware that the task of obtaining sustenance for all the world’s starving is an eminently superhuman one, he is also cognizant that the irresolvable can actually be quite realistic when the whole world exerts themselves towards a united end. If this business leader really achieves his goals, the final curtain will positively come down on famine and neediness everywhere in the future.

You might be of the opinion that functioning as the head of a very prosperous market leading enterprise and a committed spouse and father would afford him no spare scope for altruism and aiding the needy. Even so he makes certain that each of of his charitable projects will get all the aid he can plausibly marshal. This entrepreneurial man is definitely a lot more than any obsessed trailblazer of industry. He is, moreover, a perfectly unique individual and a real community hero.

With all of the technology available today, why is personal networking still the key to being successful? While you can send tons of direct mail, e-mail instantly and advertise everywhere, the main reason most people do business with each other is that they know each other and have developed a successful business relationship that was built on rapport, responsibility and respect.

This type of relationship does not usually happen just by meeting once and exchanging business cards. It takes time to get to know what each person has to offer, and even more importantly, to learn what you can offer them. Many people forget that networking is a quid pro quo arrangement. In order to get, you have to give.

It used to be surprising when a colleague would say that they don’t go to networking functions anymore because they never got anything out of it. Now I realize that most often, they did not give much either.

What can you “give” at a networking function? Use your imagination, and, of course, your connections. You’ll be surprised how often you can help someone out just by listening to them, because they will usually tell you about a problem they are having.

Your resulting referral or suggestion may not get you business today, but the more often you can help someone solve a problem, the more often they think of you and want to return the favor. People who are successful at networking actually enjoy giving to others, and they build invaluable contacts in the process.

People who can connect other people are often perceived as powerful-and they are the ones who are willing to search through their personal contact list, pick up the phone and make introductions, ask for help or offer help. Usually these “connectors” have a personal contact base that is diverse, plentiful and like-minded.

The best way to build your base of contacts is to attend networking events and listen to those you meet. Ask them about their business and what are good clients or prospects for them. Take the time to think about what they are saying, and ask for a business card. Maybe even jot a note on the card about what they do and who you know that may be a good referral for them.

If you spend the next networking event finding out about other people and their business, you will teach yourself how to be a great resource for others. Why go to all of this effort? Why work hard to give leads and referrals to others? Remember, successful networking is reciprocal. You will get more if you give more.

You can actually enjoy networking events when you get to know and like the people you meet. If you viewed the next networking mixer as a chance to meet interesting people, make a new friend, visit with some old friends, learn something new, and maybe increase your income, wouldn’t you have good reasons to climb out of your personal comfort zone and attend?

Where can you go to meet business people and practice your networking skills? You have many opportunities at networking functions sponsored by your local Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club, the Rotary, National Association of Women Business Owners (men are welcome too!) and other professional groups. Most organizations welcome visitors at every meeting, mixer or breakfast. It is not necessary to join every group to attend their functions.

Gloria Berthold is president of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc. and an expert in business development in the corporate and government business arenas. She is a dynamic speaker and book author and is adept in navigating the government contracting maze. Visit http://www.targetgov.com for more information.