Implementing a business sustainability strategy with the help of a sustainability solutions partner is the way forward for any business aiming to survive and thrive amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But not every business organization is on board with this idea just yet.
Different organizations will have their particular reasons, so let’s examine each and figure out what it would take to finally get them to say “Yes!” to business sustainability.
- Lack of information
The goal of business sustainability is easy enough to understand. It’s something that any business would want to implement in the midst of the pandemic and the consequent economic turmoil. But maybe what makes some organizations unsure about committing to sustainability solutions is the method involved – everything that needs to be done, and all the conditions and standards that must be fulfilled in order to achieve sustainability. Maybe they don’t have enough information on how different strategies, best practices, and services come together to create the desired impact. They might not even be sure what it is they need; or maybe their idea of what they need is driven by a limited perspective.
Some advice for when you don’t have all the pieces yet: Rest assured that one of the first things a sustainability solutions provider will help you figure out is what you specifically need. It’s a process that requires you to communicate what you have, what your goals are, and what your pain points are. You’ll know that you’re talking to a suitable sustainability solutions partner when they pay close attention to your unique profile as a business organization and tailor their proposed services accordingly.
- Broad range of prospect partners
The spirit of 21st-century industry and business is centered on going the distance, and this is reflected in the demand for business sustainability strategies. With this paradigm shift already well underway even prior to the pandemic, it’s no surprise that an increasing number of business solutions providers are offering such services. COVID-19’s onset accelerated this shift, as sanitation, safety, and health were pushed to the forefront of any discussion regarding what is essential for any company today. In the resulting demand bubble, there are more and more potential sustainability solutions partners to choose from each day as various firms pivot and take advantage of the demand. And the sheer volume of choices can make it quite difficult to decide.
Some advice for when you can’t choose a sustainability solutions partner: Try to narrow down your choices through learning more about each potential partner. Simple research on their qualifications, certifications, standards of excellence, and service record should tell you which ones are worth it. From there, try to get in touch with them and discuss your needs – the way they handle that interaction should reveal whether or not they can back up the image they project. And remember: you may consider partnering with more than one sustainability solutions provider if your needs call for many specialists instead of one general provider.
- Lack of providers in the immediate area
Urbanized or industrialized areas tend to have higher numbers of available sustainability solutions providers nearby. The reason is obvious: those are perfect locations to attract potential clients. However, this puts them increasingly out of the reach of clients in areas the farther away they are from urban centers. Add to that the reality of the Philippines being an archipelago consisting of variably high and low terrain, with many regions separated by bodies of water or terrestrial barriers. Considering these factors, it can be quite difficult for businesses in far-flung areas to gain access to the best sustainability solutions.
Some advice for when there aren’t that many choices near you: It may seem that way, but sustainability solutions providers are highly aware of geographical limits and often implement strategies to make themselves available to faraway clients. Most obviously, they establish satellite offices through which most client-centered transactions can be conducted. These offices also serve as local centers for their operations, helping them manage the services they provide to clients in the region. And most importantly, these satellite offices allow them to source their professionals from among the locals, ensuring that there will be little to no difficulty in getting them to report for duty at clients’ premises. In sum, no need to worry: the best sustainability solutions providers can and will find ways to reach you, wherever your business may be.
- Cost
The question of the cost of sustainability solutions is heavy, but simple: is the investment worth it? It’s hard, not to mention illogical, to blame businesses for always thinking about returns when considering a new investment. No company wants to waste resources, and this is especially true when spending on services from an outside source. And right now, when the whole world is dealing with a pandemic, is the worst time to be wasteful.
Some advice for when you’re worried about the cost of sustainability solutions: It may seem like something expensive now, but investing in sustainability solutions is actually a step you can take to avoid greater losses down the line. A safe and healthy workplace protects your workers from accidents, work-related illnesses, and other eventualities that might cost you. You can even be prepared for a natural calamity or other act of God that cannot be avoided or prevented. Your workers will be safe while it’s happening, and everyone will be ready to deal with the aftermath with minimal losses. Sustainability solutions are worthwhile investments that will help your organization keep going, even when a crisis dampens all your momentum.
- Already being a sustainability solutions provider
Perhaps the most adamant that they don’t need sustainability solutions are those companies who already offer services that fall under that category. A facilities cleaning firm certainly feels that it doesn’t need to hire the services of another cleaning firm, because it wouldn’t make sense to. This reason is probably the most grounded in reality, as well as the most understandable: why make a potential competitor profit from something that you can already do for yourself?
Some advice for when you’re already providing sustainability solutions: It’s rare for a sustainability solutions provider to have absolutely everything covered, even for their own premises. For example, even those with the widest range of services still rely on outside agencies for their security personnel. The reasons for this may vary: in the given example, it might be difficult to secure the required expertise and licenses to start offering security services. For whatever reason, it’s likely that other sustainability solutions providers can fill a niche in your own workplace that you can’t immediately provide for yourself. This is one scenario where being wary of the competition can actually be counter-productive. The best thing to do is to assess what those niches are, if any, and to then find potential partners who specialize in them. At the very least, you can have them satisfy that need for the foreseeable future and you’ll be free to focus on your long-term plans.
These are just the most prevalent reasons companies may have for being hesitant to invest in sustainability solutions for their workplace. Of course, there are many others that are more specific or situational, but they must always be seen in the context of the role business sustainability plays in saving lives and organizations alike.
Do you feel that any of these reasons are applicable in your case? Do you have others that weren’t discussed above? Let our team show you how to address those concerns – visit our website or drop us an email today!