Actuality¹⁴⁸

Integrating sustainable development into my business: where do I start?

DURABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Par

Jean Martel, M.Sc.

Evol

Sustainable development coach

Word

the members

Where do I start?

Increasingly aware of the environmental and social impacts of their business, many entrepreneurs want to integrate sustainable development practices.

And while many claim to lack the budget, time or resources to do so, integrating sustainable development practices is probably the best advice I can give you. You may be surprised by the positive effects!

First, let's answer these 3 questions: Why? Why? And with whom?

Why?

Because human activity is one of the main causes of accelerated global warming. As an entrepreneur, you have the power to help change things, because your business decisions influence the environment, society and the economy. Think about the working conditions and environment you offer your team, your work habits, your travel, your procurement, your resource management, and so on.

How?

The first step is to embody change. Involve your team in your projects by expressing your vision of sustainable development in your company, and discuss with them the actions you plan to take in this direction.

Tell them how serious you are about this. And listen to her. You'll be surprised by their commitment and ideas. For many of the companies I've worked with, integrating sustainable development practices has had a very positive effect on staff commitment and retention. People want to be associated with companies that respect the environment and people, and contribute to their growth.

The second step I suggest you take to get started is to revisit your annual action plan and select one of the major actions planned. Analyze it from a sustainable development angle and explore the different ways in which you could do better. And why not carry out this exercise as a team? It's a win-win situation. Here are some suggested questions to ask yourself:

What do I really need to get there, and in what quantities? (Avoiding over-consumption and waste)
Where will I get these items (in terms of travel, price, choice of materials, location of suppliers and shared value)?
What is the lifespan of these purchases?
Are they recoverable for other actions, other companies?
What do my customers want? (Target my customers' real needs)
Do we have the human and organizational capacity to deliver this mandate on time?
What travel is required? Are they all necessary?
How profitable is this project? What are its positive spin-offs?

Think of sustainable development in a holistic way. It's not just about the environment; it also includes governance, human resources management, working conditions, skills development, etc.

With whom?

Read up on the subject, get inspired by the initiatives of other entrepreneurs, and surround yourself with people who share your values. Évol supports the entrepreneurs it finances, particularly in their sustainable development initiatives, and there are other organizations offering this type of support throughout Quebec.

For an aligned vision, clarity in decision-making and optimized potential for adaptation, integrating sustainable development actions into your business is a guarantee of success!