Want to lead a sustainable business? Find your values!
The word ‘values’ is often used these days, usually as something that is desirable to have and desirable to be seen in others.
In the consumer world the use of the word ‘values’ is positively endemic.
Words like ‘values’ or ‘ethics’ sound good and give the customer that ‘warm-woolly-jumper-feeling’ of having done something good by buying something or other.
In terms of business words like ‘values’ and ‘ethics’ can sometimes seem a little confusing and even esoteric, even in our particular business, i.e. sustainable development and corporate social development.
Words like ‘values’ are also somewhat over-used, probably since green-washing is is often seen as cheaper than actually engaging in sustainable development.
What do words like ‘ethics’ and ‘values’ mean for you as an average start-up or SME?
What could they mean?
It’s actually very simple:
Values mean business strategies which keep the three ‘Ps’ in mind, i.e. Profit, People, Planet.
‘Values’ can mean the decision to collaborate preferentially with ISO9000/14000, BCorp, or other certified-like businesses.
‘Values’ can mean to restrict sourcing your starting materials to locally produced goods.
‘Values’ can mean paying attention to a diverse workforce on all levels.
What ‘values’ could mean to you and your business depends on your business, however, it is important to keep in mind that none of these ‘values’ make your business green by themselves if they don’t serve the three ‘Ps’.
If you think you could do with some help finding out what ‘values’ could mean in your particular case, talk to the experts, i.e us!
Trianon Scientific Communication — contact@science-by-trianon.com — www.science-by-trianon.com
