Sustainability: Leveraging the Small Business Advantage

Small businesses and entrepreneurships now represent over half of worldwide employment, and this number continues to grow both in the US and globally. With more individuals looking to become self-starters, small businesses sustainability leaders are strategically positioned to play a much more significant role in our economic future.

By bringing eco awareness and leveraging sustainability concepts across an organization and its business relationships, a company can not only identify value but also engage the entire value chain in a common direction. However, this does require communication and coordination that are perfectly suited for small business.

These often more nimble organizations are typically more intimately connected with their employees, investor, suppliers, and customers. This makes it possible to educate these stakeholders more effectively about the company's sustainability plan.

Small businesses are strategically equipped to:

•    Engage and actively manage employees on an individual level.

•    Develop close working business with stakeholders and investors.

•    Work directly with consumers and business customers to deliver products that meet specific requirements and delivery expectations.

•    Communicate directly with a smaller set of business partnerships, often directly integrated into the business operations.

Taking the lead away from larger corporations, progressive small businesses are creating their own business case for sustainability by defining specific opportunities for improvement. By leveraging multifunctional resources and close working relationships within the organization, small businesses can quickly adapt and capitalize on business sustainability value.