Challenges to improving sustainability in business

Tuesday, 7 January 2020 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Sucharitha Navarathne

Though sustainability has many positive impacts on business, it can also be challenging to actually implement these changes. Here are some of the biggest barriers those businesses, particularly small ones, face when trying to become more sustainable.

Some businesses do not think they have the needed resources namely, time and money to properly and effectively implement sustainability strategies. However, businesses cannot become a green business all at once. Solar panels, a LEED certification for the building, and sustainably sourced materials are not the only measures a business can pursue. Businesses can start small and make affordable changes, which is much better than doing nothing at all.

Unengaged personnel is another challenge to improving sustainability in business. Whether it is with upper management or the other employees, it can be difficult to actually implement the sustainability initiatives when other people in the organisation do not support them, take them seriously, or care. It is better to ask for everyone’s input when creating initiatives. There is a good chance some employees and managers will have their own ideas and issues. Consider creating incentives such as office parties and awards, and adding gratification to the experience. Some unengaged staff needs their ideas to be recognised, considered, and implemented if they are viable, while others need external motivation to participate.

It is impossible to know if the efforts are worthwhile if the businesses cannot accurately measure the outcome. Instead of worrying about what other businesses are doing, take steps to do what makes sense for the organisation. What can do to measure own sustainability success? It is important to collect data on costs and sales and compare it with outcomes once business has implemented sustainability initiatives. If business sales have not improved, business may have under marketed its value as a sustainable business to the consumer.

Finally, an unclear, unfocused plan to go green can easily overwhelm the business as people try to make a profit at the same time. Try to narrow the focus to one or two key issues that care most about or think would have the biggest impact on, then branch out from there. The plan should include an assessment of how sustainable initiatives can cut costs in the long run and increase profits, if possible. It is better to focus on the cost-cutting aspect, if it is impossible to find a profitable strategy. Businesses can turn around and sink their savings into investments and campaigns that will turn a profit.

The writer could be reached via email at [email protected]