Episode
7

Organizational Sustainability with Expert Bob Willard Part 2

August 4, 2021
|
Duration:
1186261
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In This Episode:

Join energy coaches David Arkell and John Pooley on a sustainability chat with our first guest Bob Willard. Bob Willard left an award winning career as a senior management leader at IBM to pursue sustainability strategies for business'. Giving keynote presentations to corporate, government, university, and NGO audiences, this episode is filled with industry knowledge and key points to get your organization on the right sustainability track. Bob Willard's resources on sustainability can be found here: https://sustainabilityadvantage.com/

Highlights

  • Executive Role in Sustainability:
    Willard stresses that executive support is vital for successful sustainability initiatives. He suggests piloting projects on a small scale to build executive confidence and measure outcomes effectively.
  • Incremental Projects for Impact:
    Implementing sustainability through a series of small projects, as demonstrated by Willard’s example of “42 projects in three years,” allows organizations to see gradual but impactful progress.
  • Science-Based Metrics:
    Metrics rooted in science-based goals provide a clearer measure of sustainability success. Willard advocates for using frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Science-Based Targets to set meaningful goals.
  • Sustainable Procurement:
    By favoring sustainable suppliers, companies can influence the broader supply chain toward environmentally friendly practices, as illustrated by Walmart’s supplier questionnaire example.
  • Mid-Level Managers as Change Agents:
    Willard suggests that mid-level managers, despite lacking decision-making power, can introduce sustainability ideas through respectful inquiries and evidence-based proposals.
  • Key Insights

  • Pilot Programs Build Trust:
    Executives can be hesitant to take risks on new sustainability initiatives. Piloting projects in a specific area helps demonstrate value, allowing organizations to scale up successful efforts.
  • Comprehensive Reporting Avoids Cherry-Picking:
    Organizations should avoid selectively reporting only favorable metrics. Instead, a complete suite of metrics covering all sustainability areas provides an honest view of progress.
  • Influence Through Procurement Policies:
    Sustainable procurement policies enable companies to encourage environmentally responsible practices within their supply chain, creating a ripple effect in broader industry practices.
  • Role of External Standards and Recognition:
    Willard notes that public rankings like Corporate Knights’ Global 100 list drive awareness and accountability. However, he warns against complacency, advocating for continuous improvement.
  • Empowering Mid-Level Managers:
    Mid-level managers can introduce sustainability by framing it within business benefits and aligning it with competitors' actions. Their influence is instrumental in shifting corporate culture incrementally.
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