Who Can Improve Business Sustainability?

Every individual can take steps to live and work more sustainably, but when it comes to improving sustainability in business, there are some people who are in a unique position to effect change.

Business Owners and Organizational Leaders

Effecting change throughout an organization takes organizational leadership training and skills to make effective top-down decisions. Business owners and leaders who possess organizational skills have the savoir faire to make strategic sustainability decisions that benefit the business, its employees, its customers, and the planet. Leaders are perhaps the most important link in the chain. Owners and executives have the intellectual acumen to identify the most effective sustainability strategy and initiatives, as well as the power to change policy and spur innovation.

Business Administrators, Managers, and Supervisors

Administrators, managers, and supervisors have unique insights into the day-to-day operations of a business. The future of business administration requires preparation to solve complex problems via unique perspectives, and the combination of skill and expertise to think of creative sustainability solutions. Admins, managers, and supervisors can provide valuable insights; because of their more hands-on role, they have a different perspective and understanding of how to improve business sustainability.

Human Resource Professionals

In a survey of 148 CEOs from the world’s largest and highest-profile companies, every respondent said human resources practices are essential to building and maintaining sustainable businesses. The HR department at your organization can play an important role in the development, creation, and implementation of company-wide sustainability policies. They can help ingrain these policies into the company culture and create a lasting shift in your business.

It’s important to create a company culture that reflects your values and makes employees comfortable enough to share their ideas, including those regarding sustainability. The HR team can act as a cultural ambassador, helping employees and new recruits feel recognized and valued as key drivers in efforts toward sustainability.

Employees

Sustainability initiatives don’t always have to come from the top down; employees may provide valuable contributions too. For example, according to the Stanford Social Innovation Review, employees at a Unilever tea factory in England saved the company €47,500 and reduced the waste of 9.3 tons of paper by suggesting the company change the size of paper tea bags. Because these employees were working with the product directly, they knew exactly what could be improved.

Encourage employees to speak up and share their thoughts about how your business can become more sustainable. The results could contribute to both sustainability and profitability. Moreover, the Stanford Social Innovation Review reports that this can improve “employee retention, productivity, and overall engagement.”