Overview
A family-owned business with strong heritage operates across multiple sectors, including technology and construction. Their business owner is forward-thinking and recognises sustainability as a business opportunity and competitive advantage. However, they wanted to accelerate their progress, develop board KPIs, and meaningful metrics to be authentic in their efforts. They also wanted to bring senior leaders along at the same pace and accelerate their knowledge and enthusiasm for sustainability topics.
Process
We worked closely with the senior team to develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy that would embed sustainability across all business units. The key exercise was a sustainability audit that identified what to continue, start and improve. When the material impact areas were agreed, and action plan was developed including establishing baselines for measuring progress in key impact areas. To support effective communication Sustainable X helped the Group consolidate the terms used across the business and align sustainability plan activities with their business purpose and values.
Outcome
The Group has made significant progress since implementing their sustainability strategy. Firstly, they have been able to build a strategy that embeds sustainability across all of their business units. This has enabled them to align their sustainability efforts and streamline their approach. Secondly, they have developed board KPIs and meaningful metrics that allow them to measure their progress and track their sustainability performance. This has helped them to be authentic in their efforts and communicate their sustainability performance to stakeholders. Lastly, senior leaders have been brought along at the same pace and have accelerated their knowledge and enthusiasm for sustainability topics. This has resulted in a more sustainable culture and increased employee engagement.
Conclusion
This Group recognised sustainability as a business opportunity and competitive advantage and took action to accelerate their progress. They worked closely with Sustainable X to develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy that embeds sustainability across all business units. As a result, they have been able to streamline their approach, develop board KPIs and meaningful metrics, and bring senior leaders along at the same pace. This has resulted in a more sustainable culture, increased employee engagement, and a competitive advantage.