10 steps to become a sustainable company!
Did you know that, in current times, sustainability in companies is it a key point to leverage the business? Through global awareness of the need to care for the planet's ecosystems, businesses that do not aim at sustainable practices in their operations end up losing space in the economic market.
And it's obvious that you, entrepreneur and manager, want a healthy growth both for your company and for the environment, isn't it? But what if we tell you that this is not the only thing that defines your activity as sustainable? This and many other information will be discussed by Clicksign during this text, and here you will learn about good practices aimed at green entrepreneurship. Follow up!
What is sustainability and how does it apply to the business environment?
We are living in a delicate moment: the climate and water crisis is already making headlines, and it is also well known that the world is constantly evolving and innovating, so why not make the most of everything that social development, technological transformation and natural resources have to offer? The concept of sustainability is very simple to understand, and it's even quite intuitive: search for balance between human development and the preservation of natural resources, without compromising the current generation or the future one. Meeting everyday needs is one of the many objectives of most business segments, but this activity cannot affect future generations. Thus, a sustainable company is one that idealizes (and implements!) the conservation of the exhaustible resources of the society in which you live and yet expand your business. This statement becomes simpler when you understand the pillars of business sustainability:
The 3 pillars of business sustainability
Nowadays, the concept of sustainability applied to the corporate environment is indeed related to the environment, but not only. Mistakenly many think that promote sustainability projects in companies it is only about the preservation of flora, fauna, reforestation, etc., and although this is valid in the broadest sense of sustainable development, there is more there. A company that operates in a sustainable way must also observe three pillars that must coexist and interact with each other in the most harmonious way possible. Are we going to know these 3 bases?
1. Social environment
Todo human capital which is directly or indirectly linked to the development of a particular business activity — employees, suppliers, target audience, customers, and the community in general — concerns the social pillar of business sustainability. Developing socially sustainable practices is not providing the rights guaranteed by the Federal Constitution to employees, for example, but provide a harmonious and healthy work environment, with ideas of personal and collective development from everyone present there.
2. Economic environment
An economically sustainable company is one that has the capacity to produce and distribute products or services fairly within the economic market. Do you know the famous and well-known fair competition? Then! In addition, the development of your activities cannot be out of balance with the environment around you. If the profit of a business activity comes from the exploitation of employees, accumulations of functions, poor working conditions combined with the degradation of the surrounding natural area, for example, there is nothing to say about a harmonious relationship.Growing economically is something that should not harm any ecosystem (social or environmental).
3. Environment
Finally, we arrive at the one most suitable for the eco-friendly entrepreneur: minimize the impacts that the development of an activity may generate, directly or indirectly, on the environment and natural resources.But be careful, only mitigation projects didn't make your company happy. Strategies for protecting human, economic, and environmental ecosystems must be real and effective. Providing sustainable and biodegradable packaging while taking advantage of cheap labor, for example, is not an example of business sustainability.
For managers: 10 practical tips for a more eco-friendly business!
Now that the concept and foundations of sustainability in companies have been clarified, how about giving tips on some sustainable practices that can support the sustainability project of your business?
1. Optimizing business processes through automation
Use technology in favor of the company: Remove all repetitive human processes that are unnecessary. Nowadays, you don't have to waste time issuing invoices and filling out forms when digital platforms can do this for you, for example. In addition to eliminating unnecessary efforts in internal routines that do not add value to the customer, employees previously in charge of that dull function will now be able to work more strategically. Automation can revolutionize your company, and this is a sustainable practice: it provides increased productivity, reduced costs and reduced errors that previously compromised processes. Very good, isn't it?
2. Improve document management and reduce paperwork
A document management aims to simplify the professional life of your business, and it is certainly also beneficial to the cashier of the business: when standards are followed, financial expenses are reduced. Just by not having to buy so many reams of paper, in addition to preserving the environment and generating a very interesting level of organization for your company, the digitization of document management will also assist in the automation of processes and the implementation of the much needed home office. Speaking of Home office, employees must have access to the documents necessary for their professional development, which is why cloud computing should also be observed. For later: 7 tips to simplify document management.
3. Virtual contracts and electronic signatures
Since your company is reducing the massive use of paper, how about considering working with virtual contracts? Clicksign has already talked about this here, and you may be wondering why this tip was not added to document management, and we explain: Agile closing of deals goes beyond document management, also combined with time management and providing greater security to its client, and therefore electronic signature is important to virtual contracts and to business sustainability.
4. Marketing strategies aimed at green entrepreneurship
If ergonomics in the work environment is really important, think about Your customer journey too. But not only that! The marketing strategies of companies engaged in sustainability must also aim at To make the whole of society aware.Aim for sustainability doing a good job on those 3 pillars already discussed (all ecosystems are important, remember), and then tell the world about it.
5. Practicing conscious consumption
If it is not possible to eliminate the use of paper once and for all, then encourage the conscious consumption of this product only when necessary. Deforestation harms an entire society, and even if it's a small contribution, it's actually essential. The same idea applies to lighting, for example. Optimize energy consumption and invest in LED bulbs, encourage staff to turn off air conditioning and lights when no one is using it, among other practices. Consumption is general and so is responsibility.
6. Say goodbye to disposable items in the workplace
A very interesting strategy to prevent disposable cups, for example, from being used en masse by those who meet there every day, is to urge your employees to bring mugs and bottles of water. Encourage replacement of disposable with reusable.But don't take the body out either, it is necessary for the company to also provide reusable cups (washable, such as glass) for its employees.
7. Supporting local suppliers is being sustainable
Your company is located somewhere in our world, and that makes it a bit responsible for what happens around you. Then, supporting local suppliers in your neighborhood or city will be very interesting for the development of the economy in general and also to strengthen social ties between the company and consumers. Think about it!
8. Invest in recycling
Separate the discards between organic and recyclable waste It assists in the following garbage collection process, after all, society must also take precedence. In addition to making employees aware and making recycling a routine, this will also make a Social good. It may seem ineffective, but your spending will decrease and the environment will thank you too.
9. Encourage employees and consumers to use alternative transportation
The sense of integration between employees is also related to social sustainability of a company's activity, therefore, why not encourage collective carpooling, for example? Including a bike day when going to work is also valid. But, again, they are ideas for raising awareness. The company cannot force its employees to do this, but the incentive is already something. A decrease in carbon emission it's important for everyone.
10. Include sustainability as a performance evaluation metric
Evaluating your company in the face of the market, how is it doing in terms of “sustainable projects applied to your activity”? Include the analysis of this point in the study of your management. In addition, also include in the assessment of individual and collective performance of your team. Is paper being saved? What about disposable cups? Are we aligned precisely with the competition? What can we improve in our operations for a more promising future? Inquire! It has already been understood that conscious business development requires active action by your business for social well-being, isn't it? A Clicksign understands the importance of sustainable development, and therefore creates solutions in this regard. Come with us to the future!
