Start Your Business With Sustainability as a Cornerstone

Jori Hamilton - Contributing Writer

Posted on Wednesday 5th January 2022
woman working on a blueprint on a computer

 

You want a sustainable business. To achieve your goal, you need to prioritize sustainability as a business cornerstone. Yet doing so can be tricky. 

As your business grows, you need to scale your operations accordingly. But maintaining sustainable business operations during this time requires hard work, patience, and attention to detail. If you make mistakes along the way, it can compromise your ability to maintain a sustainable business. 

 

Tips to Launch a Sustainable Business

When it comes to launching sustainability, plan ahead. Here are five tips to help you set up a sustainable business and maintain it long into the future. 

 

1. Integrate Sustainability into Your Business Plan 

Write a business plan that encompasses sustainability. Your plan should define what your company is all about and what you want to accomplish. It should include details about how your company can take measures to go green in its daily operations, too. 

Make sustainability one of your business' values. Then, you can share details about your company's commitment to sustainability with prospects and customers. This commitment may even help you secure business funding. 

 

2. Incorporate Sustainability into Your Business Location

Use smart technology to minimize water and energy consumption at your business location. Many smart technologies are available that promote sustainability, including:

  • Leak detection system: Tracks a building's plumbing and helps property owners pinpoint the exact location of leaks.

  • Thermostat: Lets a property owner use their smartphone or tablet to control a building's thermostat. 

  • Sprinkler: Allows a property owner to automatically control the watering schedule across their landscape. 

Evaluate smart technology options carefully. Look for smart technologies that support business sustainability, productivity, and efficiency. At the same time, consider technologies that align with your budget. 

 

3. Pick Up Green Business Cards 

Invest in biodegradable business cards. Ultimately, these business cards serve the same purpose as traditional ones but help you reduce waste. Also, they can provide great conversation starters when you tell others about your business and its commitment to sustainability. 

Don't sacrifice on green business cards, either. Instead, seek out eco-friendly business cards that complement your style and design preferences. You can browse a wide range of green business cards online. From here, you can select cards that are both attractive and economical. 

 

4. Provide Remote Work Opportunities

Let employees work remotely. This ensures employees won't have to commute to work, which helps them limit their carbon footprint. Plus, your business won't have to provide office space or other accommodations to onsite staff. This can help your company cut down on its energy consumption. 

If you intend to provide remote work opportunities, ensure your personnel is properly supported. Keep the lines of communication open with remote employees. And ensure these workers can establish and maintain a healthy work-life balance. That way, you can verify your remote staff is well-equipped to perform at its best. 

 

5. Develop Business Sustainability Goals

Create sustainability goals for your business. It can be beneficial to use SMART goals, i.e. goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. These goals can help you track your company's sustainability initiatives and ensure they deliver optimal results. 

Review your sustainability goals regularly. If you find you are missing the mark on certain goals, modify them as needed. Next, you can work toward accomplishing your revised goals. 

 

How to Maintain a Sustainable Business

To maintain a sustainable business, you must track your efforts. It typically helps to create sustainability metrics to monitor your company's water usage, waste, and other environmental criteria. Assess these metrics frequently and establish goals relating to them, so your company can continuously maintain sustainable operations. 

Moreover, if your company is moving, you should do everything possible to transfer sustainable operations from one location to the next. This may require you to implement smart technology into your new location before you complete your move. It can also be helpful to make a moving plan that ensures you can complete your relocation as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Finally, engage with employees and get their feedback about your company's sustainability initiatives. You can use surveys and questionnaires to find out how workers feel about your business’s commitment to sustainability. Employees can provide insights that can help you fine-tune your existing sustainability initiatives or develop new ones. 

 

Get Started on Building a Sustainable Business

Creating a sustainable business won't happen overnight. Rather, you will need to work diligently to ensure your company establishes sustainable operations and maintains them over time. However, you can start building a sustainable business at any time. And the sooner you begin, the sooner you can develop a company that puts sustainability front and center. 

Do your part to build and maintain a sustainable business. Prioritize sustainability in your company's everyday operations, and your business can reap the benefits of doing its part to help the environment thrive.

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