Sustainability: business, life, environment

Frequently we find that businesses approach sustainability in an ad-hoc manner, often lacking a common aligned business purpose.  Although the intentions are inspired by expanded social or eco awareness, the actions are not necessarily impactful in building long-term business sustainability.  A strategic approach can help align the mindset of an organization and ensure that the approach ties to the overall profitability drivers of the business.

However, picking the right business sustainability strategy is not an easy task, and implementing it across the entire organization can be even harder.  As a result, many businesses end-up approaching sustainable change from the same traditional structured business processes.  Instead, why not seek out business actions that:

•    Meet specific business needs
•    Engage key stakeholders
•    Efficiently generate defined marks of progress
 
For many business executive searching for these answers, now may the perfect time to revisit traditional business plans and communication strategies.  Our sustainability consulting finds progressive companies are already considering changes that more accurately reflect current business sustainability risks and opportunities.  Some overarching business sustainability strategies to consider:

•    Cost effective strategies are employed when dollars, resources and time are in short supply.  These practices can be an effective way to identify obvious areas of business sustainability improvement and address quick and easy solutions.

•    Risk management strategies are typically focused on addressing internal weak points in an attempt to protect the bottom line.  This is a tactic often employed when considering a sustainability concept that is seen as having a potentially large negative impact.

•    Innovation strategies are progressive strategies that seek out opportunities to add value.  These strategies are often viewed as leading actions and the marks of the most progressive companies.  They are defined by a shift in the way something is currently being done to make radical and revolutionary changes in thinking.

A strategic business sustainability plan can be a road map for a company to truly differentiate itself in an increasingly competitive and economically challenging market.  It is also an opportunity to communicate to stakeholders and the broader business world that the company is headed in a positive direction, responsive to change, and committed to addressing current expectations.