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Why ESG scores are better for business than risk management

10th June 2021 , in Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethics, Society, Sustainability



How can ESG help you become and do better business?

Being successful in business is more than just about identifying and managing risk; it’s about the value a business creates. The definition of value in this sense is not simply how good your product or service is for your customer; instead, we mean how valuable your whole process is when bringing your product or service to market.

We’re talking suppliers, working practices, design procedures, retailers and financial investments to name but a few. Over the last few years, there is growing evidence that shows in order to do well, a business has to do good – which is why sustainable practices and Environmental Social Governance (ESG) management can be viewed as far more beneficial to a company’s standing than simply managing risk to the business itself.

What is ESG?

Every business is connected in some way to ESG concerns, but what are they?

  • Environmental – every company uses energy and resources meaning every company is both directly affected by the environment and affects the environment directly through consumption, waste and emissions.
  • Social – every business needs to build relationships in order to trade. Social aspects include your suppliers and retailers, working practices for employees as well as diversity and inclusion.
  • Governance – every business has an internal set of practices and procedures it uses to govern itself. It will have people in set positions who make decisions to comply with rules and regulations set both internally and externally to ensure stakeholders’ needs are met.

For a company to be successful then, it needs to be seen as good and doing the right thing, particularly now that consumers are demanding high standards of sustainability and quality of employment. Investors are also more likely to favour companies that implement ESG practices and goals as these companies are ones tipped for growth  and longevity through the  demonstration of their flexibility.

Be proactive, not reactive

At its core, risk management looks at the threat to an organisation’s capital and earnings such as financial uncertainty, strategic management errors and accidents. However, setting an ESG framework might reduce the likelihood of some of those risks altogether. Therefore, here are a few ESG goals that you could set yourself that are going to create value and reduce potential risks to your business:

Energy & Utilities

  • Consider how your energy is generated and the level of control within your organisation.  Establish a data baseline and  KPIs that are representative for your industry.  eg miles driven, productivity, head count per KWh.  A lot of businesses use Christmas Day to  baseline  their lowest energy usage and challenge themselves to improve on that.
  • Are you monitoring on cost or usage?   Energy spend fluctuates, but  (KWh) is your actual usage.
  • Check water use regularly.  Many unseen underground leaks have been detected before costly structural damage can occur.

Logistics

  • Consider flexible home working options supported by hot desking and hybrid work patterns.  Smaller office space, less parking requirements and greater flexibility for your staff and your business.
  • In a lot of areas public transport is improving.  Reduce pressure on your parking availability by promoting and publishing up to date timetables and routes into work.  Set up a car share.  Just ask Peter Kay how popular this can be!
  • Route planning and tracking of vehicles gives you actual usage figures to help calculate carbon usage to establish and challenge KPIs.

Pollution prevention

  • Maintain checks on air conditioning and consider fire and flood prevention.
  • Check that you or your subcontractors that handle or store wastes or who conduct services that require them to remove  items are following the required waste legislation.  For example if a carpenter replaces your windows and takes the old frames away, then they will need a Waste Carriers Licence.  You are responsible for  your wastes until point of disposal, even if you are not handling those wastes yourself.  This is your Duty of Care.  Check www.gov.uk for more information.

CO2 Reduction

  • Include holistic appraisals of projects incorporated CO2 modelling
  • Consider CO2 offsetting actions
  • Look for low carbon options where possible.  Consider supply chain distances too as these affect the carbon footprint of  your goods and services.

Waste Management

  • Review your processes to eliminate wastes and identify where you can reuse items.
  • Where possible, remove, reduce, reuse, recycle and recover in order of preference.

Purchasing

  • Use local, Fairtrade or sustainably sourced products containing recycled content or support local suppliers
  • Ensure fair and working practices are implemented throughout your supply chain and even your supply chain’s supply chain.
  • Know what you are buying and its provenance.  Your customers want to know this. If you are sourcing locally and sustainably, then tell them about it.
  • Include flexible payment terms for smaller contractors.  60 or 90 days end of month could be a deal breaker for many, and may leave you in the lurch.

Staff Engagement

  • Increase enthusiasm of the staff in general for embracing charitable and volunteering opportunities
  • Create a symbiotic relationship between current KPI performance and keep them informed.  Explain where you are heading and regularly report on the progress.  Remember to celebrate your wins!

Community & Biodiversity

  • Sponsor community events or local charities
  • Provide work experience opportunities.  There are funded placements available for 16-24 year olds through the Kickstart scheme.
  • Manage green areas to encourage biodiversity of species by mowing less or sowing wildflower seeds.
  • Put up bird boxes and feeding stations.

When integrated into an organisation’s DNA, sustainability and ESG management becomes the glue behind the power and cohesiveness of a modern and resilient business. More importantly, doing good can really be the catalyst to doing well.

 

As an interactive, online platform, YouTree tailors its courses and workshops to ensure businesses implement sustainable, ESG strategies. We provides packages to help staff understand where ESG fits into the larger risk management portfolio.

 

YouTree can helps businesses of all shapes and sizes change the mindset of their staff and help them feel connected as part of something bigger, where they can make a visible difference.

 

For more about my professional and personal coaching packages, get in touch today and book your no obligation, 15-minute coffee and connect session!





Finding your North Star

19th May 2021 , in Society, Sustainability



In a world that is constantly changing, we can easily get lost, particularly if we didn’t know which way we’re trying to go in the first place. In attempting to keep up or simply getting caught in unnecessary routines, we can sometimes miss opportunities and experiences that would have fulfilled us, improved us, brought us immense happiness and helped us dream bigger.

 

Routines have their place in life, but if our life is nothing but routine, then we can start to feel a little hollow. That’s because deep down, we know we’re not really headed anywhere. We end up living in a cyclical void and become more ‘human doings’ than human beings.

 

So how do you align to yourself and find positivity if the never-ending cycle of day-to-day living doesn’t leave you with much time to think about how you really feel?

 

The following steps are a great place to start if you wish to stop your world from spinning, and finally hone in on you. It’s time to find your North Star and the light that will guide you to a better way of living.

 

  1. Unplug yourself from social media

 

Media-induced pressure means we cannot help but compare and contrast our lives to others. But, if you are constantly looking outwardly to how other people live their lives, you become disconnected from yourself. With social media playing a huge role in the way we connect and communicate, we cannot unplug completely. However, learning how not to be a slave to your phone is vital if you are going to master yourself and how you truly feel.

 

  1. Spend time alone

 

Now you are unplugged from social media (even if just for a little while), spending time alone is the next step to becoming connected with yourself, your thoughts and feelings on a deeper level. When you are on your own, your mind relaxes and without all the noise, you can hear what is true for you.

 

If you can, spend time alone while being outside. Nature is a very therapeutic place and can help us gain clarity and focus far more quickly. It can also help you break free from mental limitations and the inner critic that tells you that you’re not enough or shouldn’t dare to dream.

 

  1. Feel everything

 

We are not defined by our emotions but if we don’t step back and acknowledge the experiences that caused them, then they have the potential to consume us. We cannot ignore them, try to run from them, shut them out or pretend they are something else. If you allow the emotion to rise up, you can acknowledge them in the moment and before you know it, you will be able to release it. Having felt them, and understand their cause, our next steps are easier to define.

 

  1. Do what you want to do

 

This sounds simple and, in some respects, almost irresponsible if you have other things to take care of such as dependents, work, bills etc. But what we mean is that if you feel you would benefit from a walk, practising yoga, going for a run then make time for it. You might simply want to sit and watch a film or call a friend. If so, then make time for it or reorder your day/week to ensure you get to do what it is you want to. Doing things we want to, makes us vibrate differently and in a much more positive way. By following these good feelings, you are being led into the present moment of joy, happiness and an overall wellbeing that will impact your life in ways you couldn’t have imagined.

 

For more about my professional and personal coaching packages, feel free to get in touch today and book your no obligation, 15-minute coffee and connect session!

 

 

 

 

 





Can the moon light the way to business productivity?

10th May 2021 , in Business, Society



The moon has played a huge part in our ancient culture, from tracking tides, predicting agricultural rhythms and even explaining human emotions and actions. However, as society has progressed with a steady series of industrial and digital revolutions, we have forgotten ancient practices and no longer look to the moon for guidance; most of us certainly don’t make plans according to lunar cycles. While we, as human beings, have not changed since the days of looking to the celestial skies, the way we work and plan our businesses have drastically changed because our needs and desires have altered so much. But, whether in business or just in our day-to-day lives, could a fusion of ancestral beliefs and modern working practices actually hold the key to success?

 

While aligning our businesses and the way we work might take practice, looking at a lunar calendar to see what phase the month is in, is a great place to begin. This is because our energy levels rise and fall with the phases of the moon meaning there really are optimum times for planning, organising, writing proposals, de-cluttering spaces and closing deals.

 

So, if you run your own business then here is a brief guide as to what you might want to do for your business dependant on the moon.

 

New Moon

All about fresh starts and new beginnings, the new moon is a great time to set goals and research new projects. It might be a great time to plan with your team and brainstorm ideas for your business. Vision boards are a particularly creative and useful way to harness the potential of your business.

 

The Waxing Crescent Moon

Falling 3-4 days after the new moon, this is now the time to plan how you will act on the goals and intentions you had during the new moon phase. It’s also a great time to update your services and schedule meetings too.

 

The First Quarter Moon

Planning is over – now is the time to act! The moon is growing, and you can use this momentum to grow your intentions too. Your energy levels will also be higher meaning action is easier too. A good way to stay focused is to write down your intentions and journal how you are feeling about your plans!

 

The Waxing Gibbous Moon

With the moon now nearly full, you will start to feel a burst of extra energy just in time to finalise and deliver your projects. Plans will all start to fall into place and you will truly feel energised and engaged with what you are doing.

 

The Full Moon

This happens when the moon and the sun are at opposite ends of the earth and the entire moon is illuminated. This is the best time to reap the benefits and harvest the fruits of your labour. If you haven’t yet completed your goal, then the full moon is a good time to re-evaluate what it is you want, fine tune plans and keep moving forwards.

 

The Waning Gibbous Moon

Now starting to recede, the waning gibbous moon is the best time to show gratitude for what you have achieved or hope to accomplish. This is also an optimum time to practice self-care and nourish yourself. After all, how can you run your business if you’re not performing at your best?

 

The Third-Quarter Moon

Now just half illuminated, it’s time to rest and recover. With reduced energy levels, this might be a good time to de-clutter and get rid of products or services you no longer need to offer or that don’t work for you any longer.

 

The Waning Crescent Moon

We’ve nearly come full cycle and so it’s time to rest! After all, how would you be able to start the process all over again without a break? Therefore, it’s the perfect time to evaluate how things went and if you were happy with your plans over the previous weeks.

 

Being aware of the moon phases and working to them won’t transform your business overnight however, you can optimise your processes and projects, which will make success easier to achieve with less struggle and hopefully less overwhelm.  Let’s create some natural momentum!

 

For more about my professional and personal coaching packages, feel free to get in touch today and book your no obligation, 15-minute coffee and connect session!





Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace

16th April 2021 , in Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethics, Society, Sustainability, YouTree



Healthy minds are just as important as healthy bodies

April marks Stress Awareness Month and there’s no denying that we’re getting better as a nation at discussing our mental health and wellbeing. However, we’ve still got a long way to go. In fact, according to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year, they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. This comes following nearly a year of working from home for many of us – so what will happen when we return to offices and places of work?

The fantastic news is that a new standard, the first of its kind, is currently being finalised to giving practical guidance on managing psychological health in the workplace.

What is ISO45003?

The ISO45003 builds upon ISO45001, which is the international standard for health and safety at work introduced in 2018. The ISO45001 was designed to prevent work-related injuries and provide healthier working environments at a more physical level.

However, the new ISO 45003, due to be published later this year, will provide help in identifying the conditions, circumstances and workplace demands that could potentially have a detrimental impact on employees’ psychological health and wellbeing. In fact, the new set of standards defines a psychologically healthy and safe workplace, as one that ‘promotes workers’ psychological wellbeing and actively works to prevent harm to psychological health.’

How can it help my business and my employees?

While of course the main concern and focus is employee health, particularly at a time when how we work is being increasingly viewed through a mental health lens, there are actually numerous benefits for the employer, should they choose to implement ISO45003. Measures they introduce should also benefit any employees working from home and not just those in the workplace.

It is universally acknowledged that happy and healthy staff not only perform better, but they will also help improve the performance of a business overall. Therefore, undertaking an ISO45003 audit when the standards are finalised in the coming months, could be of great importance and benefit to organisations up and down the country if mental health and wellbeing is high on their agendas.

However, to achieve accreditation, line managers do not need to have a degree in psychology. The ISO45003 is more about the preventative measures a company takes to help create a positive environment in which mental health and wellbeing is taken into account. This will ensure psychological issues or pressures such as stress and anxiety, do not arise in the first place.

The standards should also help reduce the stigma that still envelops the world of mental health; it’s time to break down those barriers and organisations who look to implement ISO45003 will do just that.

In fact, firms already undergoing implementation of ISO45001 only need to apply some elements of the new ISO45003 to achieve it. Good mental health, happy and content employees and teams who feel valued are all parts of the wider sustainability picture and one that all employers should aspire to.

What courses are available to help us now?

YouTree provides  interactive e-learning packages, with targeted content for businesses wishing to improve sustainability and mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. YouTree particularly suits organisations who wish to build resilience and engage their staff in greater awareness of sustainability issues. It provides busy HSEQ/Sustainability/HR Managers with a cost-effective tool to support workforce resilience whilst empowering staff to create positive change through making choices and taking sustainability actions.

For more information about how YouTree can help your business, please learn more about the power of sustainability from our founder, Philippa Stanley.

If you would like to learn more about the professional and personal coaching package on offer, get in touch today and book your no obligation, 15-minute coffee and connect session!





Taking Responsibility For Our Own Sustainable Actions

10th April 2021 , in Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethics, Society, Sustainability



Be responsible, be sustainable

At its heart, sustainability is about making decisions that will meet your needs without compromising those of future generations. Those decisions can be personal, or business related. Often, the first subject that instantly comes to mind when we think of sustainability is climate change and what we can do to lessen the negative impacts of our carbon footprint. Climate change falls under the environmental pillar of sustainability, but there are three pillars in total: environment, social and economic. Another way to remember these pillars are the 3 Ps:

  • Planet (environmental)
  • People (social)
  • Profits (economic)

As individuals, we often think that any changes we make are not going to be enough to make an impact. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Our behaviours impact both our immediate and wider environments, even if we don’t immediately see the results of choices we have made. We might not even witness the benefits first-hand or even for years to come. However, it all adds up. In fact, to make any change at all, we all need to start taking more personal responsibility to improve sustainability.

 

Personal responsibilities

As individuals, there are several things you could look at to become more sustainable

 

  • Waste less food – organise your weekly meals for you and your family. This ensures you only buy what you need. It also gives your children an opportunity to be involved with the planning meaning they are more likely to eat what is provided and therefore, not waste anything.
  • Raise awareness – don’t shy away from conversations about the environment, particularly if you have children. They are likely to have covered the topic at school, so as a family you could decide on actions you are going to take to help the planet one day at a time.
  • Be a responsible consumer – shop local, buy Fairtrade, conflict free and cruelty free where you can. As Anna Lappé, educator, philanthropist and author said “every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”
  • Invest in ESG funds – if you have personal savings and investments with a financial advisor, you can request you invest in ESG funds. This is also known as sustainable investing and is a way to invest while positively impacting both society and the wider environment.
  • Donate – this doesn’t just have to be money. You can donate other unwanted items such as clothes and furniture.
  • Volunteer – if you have nothing to donate, you can donate your time, which is what volunteering is and will be a way to give back to a cause close to your heart or that you believe in.

 

Business responsibilities

In business, sustainability encompasses the entire supply chain from the CEO or board members who make decisions, right through to suppliers and even retailers. They all have a part to play however, as a business owner, there are a few basic places to start.

 

  • Minimise waste – identify and limit sources of waste, promoting recycling or aftermarket and avoiding landfill, enabling circular economy.
  • Avoid plastic – evaluate use of materials and consider total environmental burden, sourcing portfolio redesign for minimum total impact.
  • Supply chain transparency – eradicate child labour and modern slavery and audit your own suppliers’ labour practices
  • Take the stairs, cycle to work or encourage car-pooling
  • Switch to green energy where possible
  • Buy in bulk – reduce the number of orders required by buying more to save in the future. If you are a small business, can you unite with another, similar business to help reduce waste?
  • If your business invests, can you invest in ESG funds?
  • Collaborate with other businesses – can you use their waste product or offer them yours? After all, one business’s waste is another’s raw material.

 

We are all personally responsible for taking steps towards sustainability. We shouldn’t be coerced or forced into it – after all, any positive changes we make now will positively impact and directly affect the lives of our children’s children.

Whether we see the impact or not, one positive change can make ripples far beyond what we imagine.

For more about my professional and personal coaching packages, feel free to get in touch today and book your no obligation, 15-minute coffee and connect session!