Strategies for Sustainable Business

Overview

A whole-of-organisation perspective to sustainability is now a critical element of any serious business strategy. Approached in the right way, sustainable practices can be a significant driver of competitive advantage, innovation and performance improvement. Sustainability for Leaders will show you how to integrate this approach in a way that delivers ongoing financial benefits by managing risk effectively, reducing costs, improving reputation and increasing profitability.

Topics Covered

Introduction
Sustainability and why you need to re-understand it.

The key drivers and trends for sustainability
The inevitable shift to sustainable practices at all levels
Key benefits and opportunities for early adopters
Managing risk and capturing opportunities through a strategic approach

How does the Natural Step (TNS) Framework provide a solution?
A framework for strategic planning and decision-making (based on sound science)
A systems approach for looking both up and down-stream in the value chain

Using the TNS approach to set a vision with sustainability at its core
'Backcasting' - setting strategic goals that make sense and pay off
Designing for sustainability: organisations, products and services

How to get started on the journey using the TNS approach
Picking the low-hanging fruit first
Prioritising investments and initiatives, whilst still ensuring acceptable returns
Learning from others

Designing your future using the TNS approach
Designing your organisation for a sustainable future before your competitors do
Designing your products and services for a sustainable future

Putting the carbon issue in context
Carbon accounting and carbon neutrality

Environmental management systems and ecolabels
Using a strategic approach to add value to management systems and other certifications

Communication strategy and brand management
Internal communications and staff participation
External communications and brand management

Sector specific case-study
A deeper look at sustainability for a specific sector

Who should attend

This Short Course will reveal what the “sustainability” issue really means for your organisation in a way that links strategic and operational issues. As a result, it is ideal not only for senior executives, owner managers and other key decision makers; but also those with relevant operational responsibilities such as product innovation, business development, environmental management, human resources, communications and marketing.

The TNS approach has been used widely in both the private and public sector. Globally, there are hundreds of corporate users ranging from multi-nationals to small and medium sized enterprises. In the non-corporate sector, many local government councils and tertiary educational institutions have embedded the TNS approach for a high quality, strategic sustainability solution.

Outcomes

Having attended this Short Course, you will:

• Be able to define what is, and what is not, sustainable practice
• Understand what sustainability trends mean for the future success of your organisation
• Understand how to develop smart strategy that is aligned with sustainable practices and pays off
• Be able to determine which of the many available environmental management tools and measures are the right ones to invest in