Sustainability - Trust, Purpose, And Pain
In this episode, Frazer talks to Steve Lister, Sustainability Consultant for HH Global.
HH Global works across many different sectors including retail, FMCG, life sciences, beverages, finance, technology, luxury and nonprofit, turning big ideas into sustainable growth.
As a consultant, Steve works with a variety of big clients including Coca-Cola, Unilever and Starbucks. When these leading organisations approach him with an idea, they are looking for sustainable solutions based on the latest trends, designs, and production methods on the market.
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
Steve has been in the sustainability sector for nearly 20 years, and has seen a huge transition in the way that sustainability is considered by companies. Initially, many businesses would talk about being “environmentally friendly” or “going green”. Often, those were merely greenwashing techniques.
Fortunately, the language has matured into more substantial and measurable terms such as CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and ESG ( Environmental, Social and Governance). These implementations are not just trends, but strategies embedded into businesses and their culture.
It’s a key factor for customers as well as the investors who closely monitor how businesses enforce ESG and CSR.
Businesses are at varying stages of their sustainable journeys, and the challenge many are facing at the moment is trying to make predictions while there are so many unprecedented changes around us. That’s where Steve’s expertise comes in, working with companies to help them determine how best to move forward with their sustainability goals.
SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE MILLENNIALS
Sustainability has also become a crucial factor in the job market. The current talent pool of Millennials, as well as Gen Z, represents the birth of a workforce that knows what it wants. They make choices based on values, which is why there is a marked rise in candidates attracted to sustainable businesses. This is why it’s crucial for businesses to be mindful of this shifting demand as they shape the future of their companies.
COLLABORATION IS THE FUTURE
Steve regularly sharess useful sustainability-related content on his LinkedIn page as he believes that by sharing ideas, stories about new materials, and new techniques, companies can not only build trust with their customers but can also influence other businesses to participate in changing and advancing the conversation. This principle of collaboration extends to customers too. Having an open discussion about their pain points allows your business to be the first to solve the issue, which will not only make your clients happy, but will also help you win more business.
Despite the current economic pressure, there are a lot of exciting opportunities for companies who are open to new ideas - Steve encourages people to reach out and make change happen.
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