7 Ways to Transition to Sustainable Practices:
Pre-2015, we built businesses by creating a successful product in an entirely different market!
Now there is pressure to go about our production in a whole new way:
As the world is adapting to a low-carbon future, our goal should be to increase the quality of our operations over time — rather than responding to external expectations. What does that look like?
SUSTAINABLE = EFFICIENT
1) GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT:
We believe that you believe in your product. What are the most important aspects of your business? Are you producing something your customers can’t live without? Does your product enrich lives or bring people together? Does your business create employment opportunity where you live? Let’s establish and celebrate your corporate priorities! It’s that easy.
2) UNDERSTAND YOUR IMPACTS:
Impacts can be negative. Impacts can be positive. Your consumers want to understand their personal impacts so you best stay one step ahead of them. Affirmative offers impact assessments or can partner you with 3rd-party verifiers who will help you understand the numbers behind your product. Master your measurements so you can master efficiency.
3) INCORPORATE SMALL CHANGES:
You don’t need to change everything all at once. Obvious changes may already be lurking under the surface. Your operations team is your greatest insight into what works and what doesn’t. Incorporate baby steps that won’t overwhelm your team. Evolution is born from our mistakes.
4) SET GOALS & TARGETS:
Goals & targets (like hopes & dreams), may not happen without a plan, a timeline and interim targets along the way. Ensure your pathway is realistic, achievable and is flexible enough to incorporate unforeseen challenges. It’s not the goal that will make you successful — its what you do to get there.
5) CONSIDER YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN:
It’s not only the direct effects of your product on the world that matter. Your responsible product development relies on producers, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and end-of-life processes. Creating a sustainable product requires ensuring ethical cradle-to-grave development.
6) ESTABILISH INTERNAL POLICY:
Want to take control of your impacts? You need to learn to set boundaries. Reach internal expectations by establishing growth commitments. Name the actions that are required for your company to achieve a desired outcome. If you want to change your impacts; change your rules.
7) STRIVE FOR TRANSPARENCY:
The goal is honesty — just start somewhere! It may feel scary to disclose your negative impacts, but you can’t hide from sophisticated consumers. Progress over perfection.
