A bright Glasgow morning is a rare treat, but in true Scottish form, we sought refuge from the sunshine in the warm and inviting Dakota Hotel! It was the day of our second ESG roundtable when we gathered leaders from a cross-section of industries to chat about the wins and challenges of making their businesses more sustainable – not just for the environment, but socially and economically too.
We covered a lot of ground, from employee activism and upskilling; to the roles of non-executive directors and supply chain management; to business drivers, staff bonuses, and even office relocations. But one key theme kept popping up: for success to be sustainable, organisations need to find a balance between good social and environmental practices, with economic sustainability.
Empowering Employees for Change
We all agreed that engaged employees are key to steering companies towards sustainability. With that in mind, the group talked about creating a work environment where employees feel encouraged to speak up about sustainability issues. We also discussed ways to train and reward staff for helping the company achieve its broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. (Think UN Sustainable Development Goals – specifically number 4, Quality Education, and number 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth.)
Businesses with Purpose, Not Just Profit
Our conversations highlighted a shift in thinking: companies are moving away from just chasing profits and putting more emphasis on the well-being of their staff and the environment. We shared ideas on how to switch to business models that focus on having a positive impact over pure profit, and explored practical ways to make this happen. (Think UN Sustainable Development Goals number 8 again, Decent Work and Economic Growth, as well as number 12, Responsible Consumption and Production.)
Making Sustainability Stick
The advice shared was pragmatic: listen more to your people, support their sustainability ideas, and create spaces where everyone feels comfortable talking openly about these issues. This kind of approach is crucial for making sustainability more than just a policy document – it becomes a core value that everyone in the company shares. (Think UN Sustainable Development Goals number 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and number 13, Climate Action.)
A Small Gathering, Big Ideas
Our roundtable discussion might have been small, but we tackled some big issues. At Connect Three, we firmly believe that people are the driving force behind positive change. Through focused discussions and a commitment to taking action, we all agreed that the better we communicate our sustainability stories, the more we can encourage good decision-making and inspire other businesses to put sustainability at the heart of their success. (Think UN Sustainable Development Goals number 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and number 17, Partnerships for the Goals.)
Want to Learn More?
Curious about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how they can help your business be more sustainable? Head over here to find out more: https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Want To Be Part Of Our Next Roundtable? Get in touch by emailing curious@connectthree.co.uk to put your name on the list for our next ESG Roundtable.