Risky business

Companies both large and small are learning first hand the value of integrating sustainable business practices into their operations, business strategies, and product deliveries. Business sustainability is now both a top-line and bottom-line company focus. Companies are going beyond the ‘feel-good’ and implementing business sustainability plans that target revenue as well as cost reduction.

As 2013 approaches, what is driving business sustainability in your organization? What are the forces that will shape the future face of business? Will these forces reveal themselves as risks or opportunities? How might your organization be affected? The answer to these questions may be up for individual business interpretation, however, all roads appear to be leading to an eventual sustainability intersection.

As the business world evaluates the realities of increased business risk, increased cost or lost revenue related to water, carbon, and energy management, sustainability is defining itself as leading edge business strategy. No longer is business stability defined as the difference between cost and revenue. Today’s business sustainability is saddled with an increasing set of expectations. Because more companies are beginning to evaluate profitability and sustainability as a similar pursuit, the latter’s value proposition is becoming more defined.

As your business plans for the new year, how will your company respond to sustainability forces in your industry?

• Taking no action: transforming market forces into business sustainability risks.
• Reacting to competitor action: increasing risk and eliminating proactive value.
• Reacting to business requirements: transforming business sustainability action into a business cost.
• Leading business action: transforming business sustainability action into a competitive advantage and a market opportunity.