There is a trend for businesses that seek to be more sustainable. These companies seek to have a minimal negative impact on the global and local environment, the economy, society and the communities in which they operate.
Sustainable businesses are focused on the long term, seeking to make a positive impact. This can be done through working on climate change, recycling, human rights, ethical supply chain management and so on. This is fine if you are a global company with thousands of staff and vast resources, but how do you create a sustainable small business?
Small and medium-sized business owners are starting to recognise that consumers and clients respond favourably to companies that place value on people and the planet, as well as profits. For example, millennials won’t just buy anything. They will seek products and services that come from businesses that are seen as authentic, that make a meaningful and positive impact and that are linked to important causes.
Small and medium-sized businesses can tap into this by getting involved in corporate social responsibility (CSR), charity work, buying from fair-trade or ethical suppliers, hiring a more diverse workforce and so forth.
For example, if your business uses lots of packaging then you can start to make a positive impact by only using recycled / recyclable packaging. You should then promote this fact in your marketing materials, ensuring that people know of your positive impact.
August 28th, 2019
