[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/03\/25\/how-to-embed-sustainability-in-your-business\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/03\/25\/how-to-embed-sustainability-in-your-business\/","headline":"How to embed sustainability in your business \u2013 and bottom line","name":"How to embed sustainability in your business \u2013 and bottom line","description":"To achieve real benefits, companies need to embed sustainability into their business practices and processes. Learn three ways to do it.","datePublished":"2022-03-25","dateModified":"2024-04-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/geert-leeman\/#Person","name":"Geert Leeman","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/geert-leeman\/","identifier":636,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c5cfa20610e2093b065e87f3796777cf9b64f4b5181391f5eaeb624b9525f2b8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c5cfa20610e2093b065e87f3796777cf9b64f4b5181391f5eaeb624b9525f2b8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Future of Commerce","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","width":172,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/embed-sustainability_1200x375.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/embed-sustainability_1200x375.jpg","height":375,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/03\/25\/how-to-embed-sustainability-in-your-business\/","about":[{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/commerce\/","name":"Commerce","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Commerce","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q26643"]},"Commerce + e-Commerce","CPG","Employee Experience & Engagement",{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/commerce\/intelligent-enterprise\/","name":"Intelligent Enterprise","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Intelligent_enterprise","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q6044119"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/purpose\/purpose-general\/","name":"Purpose","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Purpose"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/commerce\/sustainability\/","name":"Sustainability","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sustainability","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q219416"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/sustainability-in-business\/","name":"Sustainability in Business","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sustainable_business"]}],"wordCount":858,"keywords":["CPG | Consumer Packaged Goods","Ethical Supply Chain","Greenwashing","Sustainability","Sustainable Commerce"],"articleBody":"Many businesses today recognize the importance of sustainability and have made it a priority. But actually putting it into practice isn’t easy. Sustainability can’t simply be added to existing strategies and processes. Businesses need to embed sustainability throughout their organization in order to achieve real results.An Oxford Economics survey found that two-thirds of consumer products company executives believe a sustainable supply chain is a competitive differentiator. The same percentage also said that having a clear purpose is critical to their company’s long-term success.At the same time, they acknowledge the challenges. While a growing number of customers are looking for brands that practice sustainability. they also want low prices, speed, and convenience, the study found.How can a company overcome the obstacles and become a sustainable business?3 ways to embed sustainability across the organizationThe impact sustainability has on your company\u2019s brand and work culture can open the door to new opportunities and long-term growth. But achieving those benefits requires making some fundamental changes to planning, design, manufacturing and maintenance processes.It starts with incorporating sustainability into your business goals and corporate mission by addressing\u00a0 environmental and social impacts of your processes. This may require an analysis of current objectives to uncover gaps.Corporate stakeholders need to be on board, with an understanding that sustainability is not just a compliance requirement, but a means of achieving competitive advantage.Dame Anita Roddick, the founder of beauty supply company The Body Shop, once said, \u201cSocial and environmental dimensions are woven into the fabric of the company itself. They are neither first nor last among our objectives, but an ongoing part of everything we do.\u201dHere are three way to implement sustainable business practices:Explore new ways to collect and interpret dataBe transparent in production and distribution processesImprove employee engagement      Closed-loop manufacturing: Sustainability across the supply chain                Closed-loop production systems drive sustainability across the entire supply chain by eliminating waste and clearing the path for a circular economy.      Get a clear view in order to take action\u00a0Embedding sustainability throughout an organization requires visibility into performance metrics like resource usage. Advanced analytics offer companies a way to gain this insight.\u201cBy collecting and analyzing data on a wide range of sustainability-related factors\u2014including energy and resource use, greenhouse gas emissions, and supply chain performance\u2014companies can generate the deep insights they need to guide their sustainability-related initiatives and improve their overall resource efficiency,” Deloitte researchers said in report on sustainability analytics.\u00a0According to Deloitte, companies can leverage these insights for more efficient use of resources that protects them from price and supply volatility. Advanced analytics also can help to spot risks in environmental impact and labor practices, so that a company can take action and mitigate them.      Sustainability in business: Key to brand survival, large and small alike                Sustainability in business is critical for brand survival as consumers want brands who share their values. For small and midsize businesses - which have no margin for error - it\u2019s especially critical.      Embed sustainability through transparencyToday\u2019s customers appreciate a quality product, but 86% of consumers look for authenticity in the brands they choose to support. They won’t tolerate mere lip service to sustainability or “greenwashing.”A data-driven approach can provide a way to demonstrate sustainable business practices to customers, which supports growth.Partners and regulators also are looking for proof of sustainability. Moreover, sharing data such as water use, carbon emissions estimates, and labor information with partners, regulators, and suppliers can promote collaboration and drive sustainability throughout an industry.      Why businesses need an ethical supply chain: 5 compelling reasons                Buyers look for brands that share their values by making sustainable products, which is just one reason why businesses need an ethical supply chain.      Foster engaged employees Corporate sustainability isn’t possible without the emotional investment of your employees. Although more than 70% of business executives identify employee engagement as key to success, a Gallup poll found that only 36% of employees are engaged in their work.Feeling like work serves a higher purpose \u2013 like sustainability \u2013 builds engagement. This is especially true for Millennials and Gen Zers, many of who want to work for a company that shares their values and stands for environmental and\/or social causes.Organizations can promote employee engagement with a strong learning environment, prioritizing development, and encouraging innovation.Programs like hosting employee-led workshops, inviting guest speakers, scheduling self-learning time, and reaching out for one-on-one manager meetings with employees all foster an inclusive, productive work environment to support corporate sustainability goals.      Corporate social responsibility and sustainability: How to save the earth                Today corporate social responsibility must include sustainability. Discover examples, definitions, and how to attain sustainable commerce.      Real benefits now, lasting impactThe very premise of sustainability is to implement strategies that create positive, lasting results without compromising the quality of life for future generations. As organizations continue to recognize their role in moving modern-day commerce forward with innovations in economic, environmental, and societal ways, the immediate benefits will encourage long-term results for tomorrow\u2019s customers.  Giants don’t leave (carbon) footprints.Future-proof your business \u2013and the world.Get your free trial\u00a0HERE."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2022","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"25","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/\/03\/\/25\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"How to embed sustainability in your business \u2013 and bottom line","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/03\/25\/how-to-embed-sustainability-in-your-business\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]