Business Sustainability Success in Not Linear

The road to success is lined with many tempting parking spaces. - Traditional Proverb

A recent Gallup shows that 94% of Americans are aware of climate change issues, and of that segment 75% feel that action needs to be taken. So what percentage of Americans is transferring this awareness into action? Or perhaps I could ask, which percentage of Americans are talking about it and criticizing it and yet, not taking eco action?

With climate change and the business case for sustainable business strategies still hotly debated, is it a wonder why more businesses and individuals aren't boldly communicating business sustainability programs and results. As the sustainability space evolves with emerging labels, guidelines, definitions, and reporting structures (not to mention domestic legislation and global agreements), it’s accompanied by critics internal and external to the space. Granted, the contrasting conversations provide clarity and best practices but the real kudos are to those businesses engaged in the actual pursuit of sustainability. The gap between awareness and action may represent the single largest opportunity for global sustainability progress.

Noted in our business sustainability consulting practice, getting started can often be the most difficult step in your business sustainability journey. However, actions speak louder than words and true business sustainability value capture will come from individuals and organizational action. Sustainability principals are universal, but their application in your business and specific circumstances yields unique results. Communicating the "right" definition of sustainability defined by your business accelerates the adoption of sustainable business strategies mainstream. Perhaps the biggest pitfall to widespread business sustainable strategies is the lack of a sure thing. The lack of "guaranteed" results.

Well, we've all heard it before, "If you always do what you've always done, then you'll always get what you always got." In other words, you can't solve the problem with the same thinking that created it. Such is the case with climate change, carbon, water, and other pressing world concerns. Are those the guaranteed results the business world is after?

Companies becoming more environmentally, socially and economically responsible are driving innovations in sourcing, products, and services. Commitment to sustainability uncovers opportunities to explore, develop, collaborate, and innovate within business and industry. At Taiga Company, we prefer that type of business success.