This cross-pollination of function areas is part of the very best things about packaging. We get to touch so many different areas. For me my dad was an engineer, my mom in advertising. When I told them I was going into packaging (I was 8, weird child I know) they were both happy — one of the very few things they ever agreed on.

Though flip side, with that pedigree, what else could I have been? Hmmmm.

Anyway — at some point soon I’ll have the blog section for our book website (http://packagingsustainability.info) so people can talk directly to all of the contributors about things in the book, or to take some of the questions the book raises further.

W-

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BTW: Sustainable Brands has had some great speakers in the past. This year Jeremy Faludi and Jacquie Ottman, both contributors to our book, are part of the line-up.

This year also Mathis Wackernagel…well, he’s just freak’n brilliant…in my humble opinion.

Hear ya on the language. I’m a California kid by heart and let my easy-going friendly language come out here and there in conversations. But you know what? I feel that when done correctly, we can connect so much better with other folks on a personal level and transcend the consultant-speak, Harvard business review, I’m a stiff professional image that comes off so academic…but not personally memorable.

Secondly, I totally understand the multiple roles of packaging in terms of supply chain, product design, and marketing communications. I’ve had to wear all three hats in the past and it’s a total blast! But unfortunately for individuals only exposed to one or the other, the degree of systemic and interrelated understanding of effective parameters in the design process (ideation to launch) can be hindered. For us to promote packaging sustainability, all three areas need to be considered.

I know you’re speaking at Greener by Design, but if you have extra time I recommend coming to Sustainable Brands 09 in Monterey just a few weeks later. They have an amazing lineup of speakers and topics across business strategy, product development, communications, and organizational behavior.

In my opinion, it’s dearly important that no matter what events we attend relating to our professional background (free & premium), that every one of us is exposed to multiple perspectives and topical arenas.

The whole premise of systemic thinking, especially in regards to sustainability, is that we learn and collaborate across borders.

Anyways, I’ll be sure to be writing more about what I’ve learned and quote ya here and there.

~ Pleasant Day!

Hot tip from the contributing editor: Don’t try and read it all in one shot. Like a buffet, pace yourself.

I have to say, one of the BEST reviews we’ve gotten so far wasn’t in words at all — it was from a designer I know who happened to bring his book along to Green Drinks. I glanced at his copy siting on the table and poking out all over the place were those tiny little post-it tabs. He really uses the book. This is what we hoped for — that people will find tons of useful bits in there for their work.

Bonus points: The designer mentioned is a product designer, not a packaging guy.

“and gave a pretty good interview.”

Yeah, well, you pulled the two sections where my inner Midwestern windsurfer-girl came out. (Like, you-know.) Doesn’t everyone have running beach-dialect dialogs going on in their heads? And if not, how do I get them to stop? ;-P

I promise, in print, and on stage, I’m quite a bit more articulate.

Hope you enjoy the book…

W-