Sustainability is more frequently being discussed in relation to business efficiency, environment and the bottom-line. Forward thinking entrepreneurs, CEOs, Directors and many business people appreciate the Earth’s dwindling resources and have come to the realization that the way we operate business is no longer sustainable for people, planet, or profit. We can no longer continue to strip the Earth of its natural resources in the name of the ‘almighty dollar’.
Technological advancements bring us new, innovative tools every day that make our jobs and professional lives easier. It is only logical that we use these tools to assist us in making business more efficient while reducing our impact on the environment. Nike, Puma, Walmart and Unilever (to name a few) are prime examples of companies who are making strides, paving the way to sustainable business operations by utilizing innovation and the technology available.
Here are 5 steps to take on your journey to Sustainability in your Business:
Technological advancements bring us new, innovative tools every day that make our jobs and professional lives easier. It is only logical that we use these tools to assist us in making business more efficient while reducing our impact on the environment. Nike, Puma, Walmart and Unilever (to name a few) are prime examples of companies who are making strides, paving the way to sustainable business operations by utilizing innovation and the technology available.
Here are 5 steps to take on your journey to Sustainability in your Business:
1. Implement Sustainability in the company culture
By evaluating office average energy usage per square foot, one is better able to gauge and apply best practices in reducing energy usage. Through energy efficiency programs, recycling programs, water conservation and more, employees will be able to make a difference to the company’s bottom-line. This will hopefully influence them to implement the skills acquired at work to their personal lives.
With most companies experiencing high printing costs, going digital may be the best possible solution. By utilizing applications and programs like DropBox, Google Docs and others, users can easily share documents and communicate information online through any PC, laptop, tablet and mobile device.
Having to print a 10 page contact to get your boss’ signature is a thing of the past. Trying to locate your boss to sign a contract for a million dollar deal may not be so easy either. Applications like DocuSign, SignNow, SignEasy and more allow users to sign documents and contracts while on the go.
2. Building Sustainably
Build and renovate with the end in mind. Consider your major company costs that you want to reduce – energy, water consumption, waste disposal. Find ways your new design can help reduce them. Consider different types of materials- solar photovoltaic panels, grey water systems, waste to energy solutions and others.
In implementing, monitoring and managing any Corporate Strategy there are a few key areas to focus on: Core Values of the organization, Markets (Local and International), Corporate Governance, Stakeholder involvement and Resource Management. By raising eco-awareness within the organization through policies geared at sustainability the company’s impact will be reduced.
Not all Jamaicans are concerned about ‘going green’ or eating organic foods, but most if not all can feel the effects of climate change. Food stock levels have been reduced drastically due to flooding, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Incorporating Sustainable Business practices and strategies in your annual plans can help mitigate and reduce the impact on declining resources. By using technology we can find ways to close the loop in our production process and rethink the cradle to grave models.
4. Community involvement
Go beyond your organization, impact your community. By providing the local community with the tools necessary to educate, inspire and inform, the benefits will be wide spread.
5. Supply Chain Management
Become a game changer. Require that your suppliers meet higher standards thus you are able to provide your customers with quality products that in turn help save them money. Walmart implemented steps in its supply chain requiring its suppliers to meet specific guidelines. Jeff Rice, Director of Sustainability at Walmart stated in “Game on: Why Walmart is ranking suppliers on sustainability” that it has four broad goals:
Long lasting change in any company should incorporate a transition towards a Sustainable Business Model. However, change has to be implemented from the top down: CEO, Manager, Clerk to Maintenance worker, all employees have to be involved. Sustainable Businesses will surpass others that do not make the changes necessary.
By evaluating office average energy usage per square foot, one is better able to gauge and apply best practices in reducing energy usage. Through energy efficiency programs, recycling programs, water conservation and more, employees will be able to make a difference to the company’s bottom-line. This will hopefully influence them to implement the skills acquired at work to their personal lives.
With most companies experiencing high printing costs, going digital may be the best possible solution. By utilizing applications and programs like DropBox, Google Docs and others, users can easily share documents and communicate information online through any PC, laptop, tablet and mobile device.
Having to print a 10 page contact to get your boss’ signature is a thing of the past. Trying to locate your boss to sign a contract for a million dollar deal may not be so easy either. Applications like DocuSign, SignNow, SignEasy and more allow users to sign documents and contracts while on the go.
2. Building Sustainably
Build and renovate with the end in mind. Consider your major company costs that you want to reduce – energy, water consumption, waste disposal. Find ways your new design can help reduce them. Consider different types of materials- solar photovoltaic panels, grey water systems, waste to energy solutions and others.
- Heat reduction glass can help reduce energy costs by 20%. By reducing the amount of heat entering the building you are able to reduce your energy costs associated with cooling.
- Solar photovoltaic panels can help to reduce or eliminate your dependence on fossil fuel (a nonrenewable resource)
- Windows allow the light to enter thus assisting in reducing your energy consumption on lighting.
- Climate Change is cause for concern. Build using sustainable materials which can help reduce the impact of natural disasters.
In implementing, monitoring and managing any Corporate Strategy there are a few key areas to focus on: Core Values of the organization, Markets (Local and International), Corporate Governance, Stakeholder involvement and Resource Management. By raising eco-awareness within the organization through policies geared at sustainability the company’s impact will be reduced.
Not all Jamaicans are concerned about ‘going green’ or eating organic foods, but most if not all can feel the effects of climate change. Food stock levels have been reduced drastically due to flooding, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Incorporating Sustainable Business practices and strategies in your annual plans can help mitigate and reduce the impact on declining resources. By using technology we can find ways to close the loop in our production process and rethink the cradle to grave models.
4. Community involvement
Go beyond your organization, impact your community. By providing the local community with the tools necessary to educate, inspire and inform, the benefits will be wide spread.
5. Supply Chain Management
Become a game changer. Require that your suppliers meet higher standards thus you are able to provide your customers with quality products that in turn help save them money. Walmart implemented steps in its supply chain requiring its suppliers to meet specific guidelines. Jeff Rice, Director of Sustainability at Walmart stated in “Game on: Why Walmart is ranking suppliers on sustainability” that it has four broad goals:
- To improve the environmental performance of its most popular products.
- To further integrate sustainability into Walmart by giving responsibility to the merchants.
- To drive a productivity loop that reduce costs and ultimately benefits customers.
- To increase customer trust in Walmart and its brands.
Long lasting change in any company should incorporate a transition towards a Sustainable Business Model. However, change has to be implemented from the top down: CEO, Manager, Clerk to Maintenance worker, all employees have to be involved. Sustainable Businesses will surpass others that do not make the changes necessary.