The 4 Signs of a Worthy Sustainable Business Partner
Sustainability is a buzzword that is truly everywhere these days. But if we are looking to embody sustainability in every part of our business dealings, we must remember that we need to work with like-minded clients. How can we tell if another business is serious about sustainability? It is important that we embed sustainability into our cultural values, but we have to recognize the signs of a client that is committed to sustainability. What are these?
Commitment to the Suppliers
A long-term commitment to any supplier is crucial, but it is surprisingly rare in mainstream businesses. The importance of long-term relationships creates stability and certainty which nurtures better conditions for everybody. This is especially true in the supply chain, but you can see it in other areas as well. Any digital marketing agency worth their salt will gear themselves to overcome the most common challenges. If you see a business that constantly switches suppliers to keep the cost down, this is a sure-fire sign they are not operating ethically.
They Keep Their Social Mission as a Core Value
Core values are undoubtedly important, but if it is truly embedded into the legal documents, this is another sign that they are a supplier that will go the extra mile. What is their legal priority? If they are focused on profits rather than social and environmental goals, are they the type of people you want to work with? Some organizations speak of profit as the be-all and end-all, but my speaking, this is not sound.
They Focus on Doing the Right Thing
Can you find real-world examples of the business investing in sustainable production even if it cuts its margins? If they are clearly focused on upholding human rights in the most difficult of scenarios and are doing it despite not gaining a profit, these signs can separate those who pretend to be sustainable from people who are actually for the cause. Learning to do the right thing is not always easy because of the questions that arise from the bottom line. A business that is truly committed to sustainability is more than aware of the impacts on its bottom line but is committed to doing the right thing. Some companies are sustainable, but they only limit the same ability to areas where they can profit. It is worth paying close attention to this.
Look at Where the Profits Go
Every business experiences pressures to grow profit. If you witness a company that grows profits distributed to its shareholders, it is going to greatly undermine any sense of mission. But this is also a lesson that we can learn in ourselves. If you look after your infrastructure in a practical sense, but also recognize where the profits actually go and learn to redistribute it to the people who need it will greatly provide a more satisfying personal experience, but make sure your company is morally and ethically sound.
A worthy business partner should bolster your business, rather than make you question your allegiances.
