Boost Your Bottom Line with a Fractional Sustainability Strategist

Every business is looking for ways to boost its bottom line. So, what does “Sustainability” have to do with that? And what exactly is a “Fractional Sustainability Strategist?” Many larger companies have put in place Chief Sustainability Officers. Smaller companies often do not have the resources to do that, but fortunately, knowledgeable Sustainability Strategists can provide tremendous value on an out-sourced basis.

Some executives mistakenly think of Sustainability as a term that, while it means different things to different people, implies increased costs, or a drain on profits rather than a boost. But that’s not what Sustainability means in today’s changing world.  “Sustainability” has become a holistic term that includes three key factors: People, or social responsibility; Planet, or environmental responsibility, and Profit, a healthier bottom line for your business.

Increasingly, these three factors go together, and a Fractional Sustainability Strategist (FSS) can show you how. An FSS is an external resource that helps you integrate Sustainability into your strategic planning in a manner that enables you to boost your bottom line through many tactical elements.  Following is a list of some of the FSS skills that can help take your business to the next level:

• Expertise. An FSS intimately understands all the ramifications of Sustainability and how it impacts your business This is an impact that occurs even if you’re not actively looking at it, since much of the world around you is already marching toward Sustainability! FSS’s also understand business dynamics and everything that goes into traditional business strategic planning, such as cost structure, employee alignment with company goals, risk management, etc.
• Cost Efficiency.  Engaging with an FSS can be more affordable than hiring a full-time Sustainability Officer, particularly for smaller companies.
• Flexibility. An FSS can work on a part-time or project basis, allowing scalability according to your company needs.
• Immediate Impact. Those experienced in all the facets of Sustainability can often identify quick wins such as energy-saving ideas, simple operational changes, strategies for communicating with stakeholders to remove barriers to business, and others.
• Strategic Guidance. An FSS can align Sustainability efforts with a company’s overall goals and objectives.
• Regulatory Compliance. Aligning your business with an increasingly diverse array of environmental regulations at the federal, state, and local level can avoid fines and legal issues.
• Stakeholder Engagement. By effectively communicating Sustainability efforts to all stakeholders – employees, suppliers, investors, and the public – you enhance your reputation and trust that others have in your business.
• Innovation and Best Practices. FSS’s can be a source of new ideas and best practices by others in your industry or association groups, thus fostering innovation and a leading-edge focus.
• Resource Efficiency. Identifying opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency is a fundamental objective of Sustainability.
• Risk Management. Today’s businesses must be conscious not only of traditional risks, but also those such as weather-related disasters, pandemics, terrorism, political instability, etc.
• Sustainability Reporting. FSS’s can help with the preparation and accuracy of Sustainability reports for management and regulatory agencies.
• Brand Reputation. A company’s brand is one of its most valuable assets. FSS’s can help solidify that brand through robust Sustainability efforts that demonstrate your engagement with today’s evolving world.
• Employee Engagement. Many employees today – especially those of younger generations – feel positively engaged with organizations that actively commit to Sustainability.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). More than a mere “buzz word,” DEI is becoming a standard for today’s practitioners of conscious capitalism and corporate social responsibility.
• Customer Attraction and Retention. Many of your customers today may be prioritizing Sustainability; you can demonstrate to them that your goals are aligned with theirs.
• Investor Confidence. Increasing numbers of investors are seeking to invest in companies that are committed to Sustainability.
• Competitive Advantage. You can differentiate your firm from the competition by both committing to, and aggressively communicating your Sustainability commitment.
• Supply Chain Management. As a vital link in your supply chain, you can help Sustainability resonate throughout, from sourcing through manufacturing and service, to consumers and the community.
• Energy Efficiency. Some firms are seeing significant gains in energy efficiency and cost reduction by relying on the knowledge of those who understand the best paths to energy usage and monitoring.
• Waste Reduction. Waste reduction is not only an environmental gain; it can save money and help streamline your operations.
• Carbon Footprint Reduction. Increasingly, the public wants to know what is being done about mitigating climate change, not just at the governmental and regulatory level, but by the private sector. Taking a proactive stance in carbon footprint reduction will elevate your public standing as well as help your firm become part of a greater cause.
• Circular Economy Initiatives. The circular economy is an evolving concept that helps maximize resource efficiency, thus both helping the environment and saving money.
• Sustainable Product Development. Products that are truly Sustainable are an increased focus of companies at the leading edge of the People, Planet and Profit movement.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In boardrooms everywhere, CSR is becoming a concept that is ingrained into company culture. This is another important facet of FSS assistance.
• Green Certifications. There are an increasing number of organizations such as B Corp., LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design by the U.S. Green Building Council, Certifiably Green Denver, Go Green Northbrook, and others that may be nationally, regionally or locally based. An FSS can help you get appropriate certifications to take you further down the Sustainability Development Continuum toward becoming a fully-realized Sustainable organization.
• Community Engagement. Your Sustainability initiatives can help get your community or communities more familiar with and engaged with your company, thus promoting community relations and boosting customer potential.
• Environmental Impact Assessments. Environmental Impact Assessments can be done by an FSS to ensure that your current and future operations are aligned with the Planet aspect of People, Planet and Profit.
• Policy Development and Corporate Governance. When you integrate your Sustainability policies into your company’ corporate governance structure and routines, they become tools for efficient and ethical management of your organization.
• Training and Education. Employees do not automatically adopt your Sustainability policies and practices without effective training; an FSS can help guide that.
• Sustainability Metrics. Developing appropriate metrics so that you can monitor Sustainability progress is another important part of the FSS’s role.
• Future-Proofing. Any robust Sustainability plan accounts for future environmental and social challenges, thus ensuring growing profitability over time.

Returning to the initial question: How will these tactics make your company more Sustainable, with a healthier bottom line? All of them! Align yourself with a knowledgeable Fractional Sustainability Strategist and help your company confidently and profitably head into the future.