I just completed an online HBS course on Corporate Sustainability Strategy. Generally, the content was well done and well presented. My observations over the past few years is that for many companies today they are approaching this topic as either something new or something that will become another compliance item added to a long list of topics competing for limited resources and attention. However, the HBS course and my own 25 year career confirmed that many companies have already linked Purpose, Value, and Sustainability to their business strategy AND to stakeholder impact. Often what these companies need centers on simple ways and metrics to unlock the message, demonstrate progress, refine goals, modify existing processes, evolve policies, and communicate to groups of stakeholders. They do not necessarily need complicated tools, expensive large consulting firms, complicated strategies, new roles in the C suite, and increases to SG&A expenses.
The message that I hope leaders take away is that simple actions, aligned to your existing business purpose, consistent communication of clear messages, with goals and measurements, will and can be the difference in this ESG-Sustainability Journey. This journey is about consistency. It is about take small actions that can become big actions. Some I believe use fear to state we need BIG BOLD actions yesterday. Often I think this can paralyze leaders and businesses into no action. Change and progress in this arena requires a series of aligned simple steps, vigilance on ensuring purpose, values, and stakeholder focus are in balance, and engaging with partners up and down the value chain, internally and externally.
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