AXIS Services

Services * Testimonials

Services by Type

AXIS provides a variety of services for those exploring the idea of using sustainability to improve organizational performance.

Type	Description	Examples
Presentations "We have been inviting outside speakers to deliver presentations to senior management for the past six years. Darcy Hitchcock was one of the best!"	We provide both paid and pro bono executive briefings, key note addresses, and other public presentations.	We customize our presentation to the audience, but here are some typical titles: Sustainability: The next best thing to a crystal ball for business The Natural Step Framework Sustainability and Organizational Development: A Perfect Marriage Curitiba, Brasil: Constraints and Creative Solutions to Social and Environmental Problems
Training "You two did a fabulous job. Best course I've ever had in terms of practical learning."	We provide both in-house training and public seminars, often in collaboration with other organizations.	We have been developing training materials and methods for many decades and have gained a reputation for engaging and effective instructional simulations and other activities. Here are some of the training programs we have delivered: Implementing Sustainability Professional Certificate Program (Portland State University) Sustainability Change Management (University of Oregon) Practical Sustainability Strategies for Government (University of Oregon) Introduction to the Natural Step Framework (Oregon Natural Step Network) Building the Business Case for Sustainabilility (Oregon Natural Step Network) Sustainable Office Operations: What to do after you recycle your paper (Oregon Natural Step Network) Sustainability Assessments (University of Oregon) We also develop customized internal training for organizations and can conduct a train-the-trainer process to prepare their own employees to teach the program.
Consulting "Thanks for all your help with [our department]. My promotion was based on the executives being impressed with the organization and teamwork in [our] group. You have contributed a great deal to [our] success."	We provide hands-on, one-on-one assistance to organizations trying to implement sustainabilility.	Finding an implementation strategy that fits your organization Facilitating steering committees and sustainability teams Coaching the internal change agent/sustainability coordinator via regular conference calls or face-to-face meetings Sustainability inventories and assessments (landscaping and janitorial chemicals, facilities, business systems, greenhouse gases, etc.)
“This was a good exercise because it really made me think about some of the areas Nike can improve on. We have a lot of work to do!”—Chuck Gatchell, Nike	Sustainability Assessments	SCORE (Sustainability Competency & Opportunity Rating & Evaluation) is an assessment that evaluates an organization's sustainability practices. It was created by AXIS in collaboration with the International Sustainable Development Foundation and the Zero Waste Alliance. SCORE can be done as a stand-alone assessment or as part of a much larger assessment. There is also a do-it-yourself option.
Facilitation "The professional manner in which you facilitated the Unified Green Cleaning Alliance process was masterful."	We can facilitate both small and large groups	Strategic planning retreats Multi-stakeholder processes and industry groups, for example to create industry standards (e.g., the Unified Green Cleaning Alliance) or to develop product stewardship infrastructure for product take-back Green teams Steering committees Task forces
Resources [Regarding the Sustainability Series™ booklets] "I found the information easily adaptable to our organization and was able to use it immediately. When I handed it out to my team, the response was immediate - they really seemed to 'get it.'"	We also provide a host of written resources. Please click on Books and Publications for a complete list of written materials.	Our latest book, The Business Guide to Sustainability, provides lots of practical advice about how to integrate sustainability into organizations. In addition, AXIS has written a series of how-to booklets called the Sustainability Series (click on Books and Publications) We also provide a number of free email services (send an email to subscribe) AXIS-Newsflash (book reviews) AXIS-Advisory (quarterly feature article) NW-Sustainability (listing of events and announcements in the Pacific Northwest) We are also leading the formation of the International Society for Sustainability Professionals, a professional asssociation that uses the latest Internet tools to help sustainability professionals connect, develop best practices and learn.

What Our Clients Say About Us

We are honored to have testimonials like these:

Sustainability Assessments and SCORE

"I think that SCORE is an excellent tool to help an organization assess its internal strengths and weaknesses with respect to sustainability.  I think it can be very helpful to organizations that are committed to sustainability and have a desire to improve and excel." — Dean Kubani, City of Santa Monica

“This assessment was very valuable. It tells you where you are now but also gives you ideas of projects you should undertake to become sustainable. It was easy to use and a good reality check for how far we need to go." — M.S., City Administrative Manager

"Even though we have been pursuing sustainability for several years and have a robust infrastructure to support our efforts, the SCORE process uncovered new directions and helped us refocus our energies and actions.” — Clark Brockman, SERA Architects

“This was a good exercise because it really made me think about some of the areas Nike can improve on. We have a lot of work to do!” — Chuck Gatchell, Nike

Facilitation/Conflict Resolution

"All of us at Coastwide Laboratories appreciate your hard work and commitment to excellence. Thank you for your leadership and guidance as our Oregon Natural Step coach. We are newbies in the wide world of sustainability, but look forward to continuing our sustainable journey this next year. We are lucky to have sustainable role models like Darcy and Marsha to help us find our way.

Marsha, the professional manner in which you facilitated the Unified Green Cleaning Alliance process was masterful. The recommendations derived from the UGCA process are inspiring change throughout the cleaning industry. "

-- Roger McFadden, Vice President Technical Services, Coastwide Laboratories

 

"My colleagues and I would like to thank you for doing an excellent job facilitating our meeting....Your skills allowed us to discuss the dynamics of our team, discover areas we would like to address, and surface issues blocking performance....Again, thank you for creating an environment of learning and development."

-- internal consultant, City of Eugene

 

"Marsha was extremely easy to talk to and helped our group to open up like we never have before."

-- team member, Providence Health Plans

 

"Darcy has a very down to earth approach and is a very good facilitator."

--production manager, Scitex Digital Printing

Consulting/Teamwork/Executive Coaching

"Thanks for all your help with [our department]. My promotion was based on the executives being impressed with the organization and teamwork in [our] group. You have contributed a great deal to [our] success."

--director, Con-way Transportation Services

Presentations/Keynotes

"On behalf of the US State Department and the World Affairs Council of Oregon, I would like to thank you for speaking with our Community Connections interns [from Kyrgyzstan] on the topic of Sustainable Development....I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into making this presentation, especially on such short notice....I would be very interested in having you speak to our groups in the future."

-- Christine Jacobs, World Affairs Council

"The information you gave us was informative and very well presented. You are such a good speaker!"

-- internal consultant, Consolidated Freightways

 

"We have been inviting outside speakers to deliver presentations to senior management for the past six years. Darcy Hitchcock was one of the best!"

--quality director, Pall Corporation

 

"Darcy was insightful and charismatic. Would have liked to hear more from her."

-- manager, Frito Lay

Assessment

"We were truly amazed at the amount of information that came from the 24-item survey and the quality of the assessment results."

-- plant manager, Monsanto (now Solutia, Inc.)

Training

"You two did a fabulous job. Best course I've ever had in terms of practical learning."

--Participant in Implementing Sustainability Certificate Program at PSU

 

"I quickly reviewed your latest course evalutions today.
Looks like you walk on water now!"

--Linda, University of Oregon

 

"[The session was] very helpful since instructor was willing to meet the needs of the group!"

--Public seminar participant

 

"Darcy has a very disarming style which invites participation. I learned a lot from her."

-- Public seminar participant

 

"Darcy had a great style and challenged us."

-- manager, Frito Lay