Convincing stakeholders to focus on long-term sustainability is difficult, especially for small businesses. Most companies have small sustainability teams that lack time or resources for new projects. One solution is to introduce strict supplier selection rules based on sustainability, which can push suppliers to adopt better practices. Another solution is providing free public support, such as funding, training, or guidance, to help companies implement sustainable practices. Successful companies can then share their knowledge and profits through NGOs to help smaller ones. By combining strict rules, support, and shared experience, businesses can create long-term sustainable growth.

Convincing stakeholders to prioritize sustainability over immediate profits requires clear communication of its long-term value. Emphasize how sustainable practices reduce operational costs, mitigate regulatory risks, and open access to ESG-driven investment opportunities. Showcase case studies of companies that achieved financial growth through sustainability, and highlight shifting consumer preferences toward responsible brands. Appeal to stakeholders’ values by humanizing the impact of sustainability on communities and future generations. Finally, ensure transparency by tracking and reporting progress through clear KPIs, reinforcing the tangible benefits of sustainable action over time.

It’s intricate but a great way to set the stage. Let’s identify and establish short-term sustainability goals that deliver immediate, albeit modest, profits. These quick wins will help build confidence and trust while demonstrating the potential of sustainable practices. Once this foundation is laid, we can introduce the bigger picture, emphasizing that true success lies in achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Quick Wins for Immediate Impact, Identify small, sustainable changes that provide visible results, demonstrating how sustainability can coexist with profitability. Educate with Evidence, Provide case studies, reports, or expert insights to show how long-term sustainability strategies have driven growth

The challenge around driving sustainable businesses is the lack of trust in the data underpinning an organisation’s reporting. Paired with that, the challenges around how to see beyond marketing given many are looking at it with a passion but without the time or space to develop a deeper understanding. I regularly see companies who cherry pick an element of their product or service that has a sustainability related benefit, but neglect the elements around that product or service that may be harmful or may tarnish the image they want to portray. Weighting in decision making has to start to include clear evidence of benefits beyond price. Reward the brave companies who prioritise transparency. Sustainability = optimisation = lower costs

📊Achieving sustainability goals requires collective effort. Within your business, engage with colleagues across departments to connect objectives and contribute to the organisation's sustainability strategy. Collaboration can lead to innovative solutions that transcend traditional boundaries. 📊This means thoroughly understanding the potential impacts of your financial decisions and investments, and ensuring they support your company's long-term growth objectives. Considering all three pillars within your overall business strategy is crucial to achieve long-term corporate sustainability.

Sustainability is a big project for most companies and investors. It's only natural for some to get lost along the way with disbelief. Use educational materials like movies that inspire belief in a vision for a better world. Watch Mufasa, The Lion King which will drive the message across about trials and tribulations before the dream or promised land can be attained or reached.

Immediate profits are not always long lasting, some hurt in the long run. Convincing stakeholders to implement sustainability practices which drive company to long term growth and profitability is crucial. This can be achieved in the following way: 1. Auditing of current scenario vs planned growth: Showcasing KPI and making the stakeholders realise what current information holds and what is required to obtain long term goals. 2. Benchmarking with Industry trends to adopt with technology: Adaptation to new and sustainable methods leads clear path to sustainable growth. 3. Meeting the stakeholder demands: Stakeholders demands must also align with long term goals covering all material topics.

The traditional way is to check business viability based on financial returns. The approach is based on tangible returns, and lacks to take into account intangible returns by sustainability initiatives which can translate into tangible benefits in medium term if not in short term. Sustainability initiatives can translate into brand building, increase in company valuation and address social and regulatory risks which is even more lucrative than general profit and loss statement in today’s dynamic business environment. So to drive sustainability it is important to link it with such factors while making the business case to top management. This can help circumvent the issue of short term profitability.