Taiga Company

For many companies, it is that time of year when business plans are receiving their final polish for the coming year.  Companies, large and small, are laying out budgets, strategies and work plans that they feel will help their businesses prosper in 2010.  As a sustainability consultant, I can’t help but ask, how does sustainability factor into this annual planning process?

At Taiga Company, we have the opportunity to interact with organizations of all sizes to examine this question in practice.  One of the common trends our sustainability consulting has observed is that sustainability concepts are becoming more important  in the business planning process.  Proactive businesses are building longer-term business sustainability programs and targeting specific sustainability concepts in their annual planning.

Environmental and social awareness is creating a shift in both short and long-term planning.  According to BSR/Global Scan, there are two major Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) issues on the 2010 business agenda: Climate Change and Human Rights.  Specific business sustainability actions for the coming year include:

•    Create innovative products and business models designed for sustainability
•    Measure and demonstrate positive social and environmental impacts
•    Improve efforts to engage stakeholders

Our business sustainability consulting experience has shown that each business has its own focus and value drivers, which give a company a unique view of sustainability.  Our sustainability consulting practice works with clients to build a focused business sustainability plan and sustainability concepts into a company’s long-range business objectives.  We work with business leaders, work groups, and stakeholders to recognize the importance of business sustainability as a critical value component of company growth and success.