Congratulations on taking steps towards steering your business plan to sustainable outcomes.
The importance of small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, and the economy is well documented. We published an INFOGRAPHIC that summarizes how and why small and medium enterprises are a driving force for change, beyond the balance sheet.
"The Social License to Operate (SLO) in a ‘business as usual’ model is more difficult to develop or maintain due to increased stake/rights-holder awareness and engagement. It can be revoked or degraded if an organization is deemed unethical or undesirable and can lead to substantial losses. Perception of trust can lead to substantial gains, and ease in doing business" -- Excerpt from the Purposeful Sustainability In A Changing World
Business owners, like yourself, are speaking up. As champions for sustainable outcomes, they choose suppliers with the ability to positively contribute to ecological stability. They build in safeguards that support human rights.
Your choice to insist on sustainable packaging or hire consultants will mitigate adverse risks. Certifications can also support collaborative efforts while providing the highest level of support for issues deemed most valued by your customers.
We applaud your efforts and want to give you the tools to keep improving and refining your sustainable development.
Intengine provides the place where SME’s can learn from each other, connect to build on shared values and support ethical-sourced profits. We supply space to share how they did it, to inspire ideas and pathways forward.
“The time is coming when it will no longer make economic sense for ‘business as usual’ and the circular economy will thrive. We are preparing to lead this change by rethinking the way we do business because the reality is, it isn’t a choice anymore.” EUAN SUTHERLAND, CEO OF KINGFISHER U.K. & IRELAND
Here are a few thoughts meant to inspire your next steps.
__________
8 (of 20) Small Business Ideas to Build a Strong Sustainability Plan (all business tips can be found in our WHITEPAPER)
1) EMPOWER WITH PURPOSE
Dedicated champions are needed for the positive initiatives your business can create. Lead by example and enable your team to initiate purposeful change in your company.
2) STAY CURIOUS, EDUCATED, AND FLEXIBLE
Continue learning about the unique impacts of your industry – sustainability is a moving target. The more informed you are, the easier it is to make effective choices, changes, and pivot.
3) ANALYZE, MEASURE, AND REPORT
Assess systems, processes, and life-cycles from all stages/perspectives, both up and downstream. Measure, track, revisit and report on objectives internally and externally to educate and keep evolving.
4)SHARE YOUR STORY
Leading by example nudges others to get curious about their impact and improving their business. Sharing inspires and educates others, encourages stakeholder engagement, and furthers marketing strategies.
5) THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL
Your local choices affect global issues - out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. The effects of pollution, ecosystem collapse, resource use, climate change, and social injustice are often felt most by vulnerable populations who contribute to these issues the least.
6) WALK YOUR TALK
Stakeholders can easily uncover green/social washing. Being transparent and accountable builds brand trust, loyalty, and maintains integrity, as well as helping with retention.
At Intengine’s core value is the belief that acting in a small way today is better than waiting for all the outcomes to align perfectly. Not all of the businesses represented on Intengine have reached their sustainable self-governance goals, but they have declared how they are working toward this.
7) JOIN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS & COALITIONS
Connect with other businesses and individuals in your industry to get support, collaborate, and create power in unity to overcome challenges.
Don't overlook these coalitions and groups. Certifications are one way to level up fast and endorse commitments by providing independently regulated assessments. Businesses are often delighted at the learning of solutions they were missing. Intengine is unique in its dedication to highlighting work with certification agencies.
8) PRACTICE THE 9 R's
Refuse outdated customers, rethink design, reduce resources, remove redundancies, and take back returns for repair, reuse, recycling, and/or resale.
“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.” – Peter F. Drucker
The way a business operates is changing. Your dedication is a welcome step forward. Sustainable purchasing has taken a leading priority among business owners and technology has eliminated many constraints. You can feel the shift in the boardroom and conversations reinforced in the news and media. Consumers and procurement officers feel the mix of tension and excitement that comes with aligning their buying choices with new products they know offer ecological or ethical wins.
Intengine knows that collectively businesses are more informed. As innovation gets introduced to the marketplace and new support systems are established to guide corporate structure, what seemed too large to take on becomes easier to manage and implement.
_________
About Intengine’s Purposeful Sustainability for SMEs INFOGRAPHIC
This Infographic offers a snapshot for SME leadership working to incorporate sustainable policies. You’ll find statistics and guides to develop your Small Businesses Sustainability Plan. Intengine can help you take steps to leverage the power you have to make a difference for the plant and the people. Don’t forget to share it.
Tags: business plan