We all have a duty as small business owners to do better, do good, and be responsible. There are over 5.5 million small businesses ( 1-49 employees ) that also form 99 per cent of private businesses in the UK. This sector could make so many more impacts than they already do if they were incentivised. and if we all do one more thing to make an impact on the future of the planet, then that is 5.5 million more impacts that we didn’t have before.
So we all need to think differently about the choices and decisions we make. I do appreciate that times are tough for SMEs, including my business, and however well-intentioned we may be, sometimes the day-to-day challenges of running a business take priority.
However, the good news is we are all doing more than we realise already but we have not collated all the information and evidence to prove this.
What’s in it for me? Why should I bother/ I hear some of you say.
Well, every business no matter how small, is under scrutiny via their social media, websites, word of mouth statements and referrals. So the more “good things” you are doing and are committed to & the money you are raising for charities, gets noticed and provides stories that showcase your ethics and values and are simply “gold dust” in providing your authentic reputation.
This reputation can be built up and knocked down by the simplest of acts, but always building a good reputation and living by your ethics these days helps you to stand out from the crowd!
What are the benefits?
- New business opportunities – new clients attracted to you, collaborations with like-minded businesses – new innovative products and services – perhaps niching or pivoting your business.
- Attracting talent – employees want to work for an ethical business and it’s not all about the salary. Gen Zsnow enter the workplace expecting their employers to have commitments to society and climate change, equality & diversity and poverty as the norm.
- Media interest and a positive reputation – in this social-media-driven society every business comes under scrutiny and the more you stand out as ethical the more you will be noticed and will stand out from the crowd giving you the competitive advantage.
- Positive marketing opportunities – sharing content about how you support others, raise money and support employees helps to shine a light on your business in a non-sleasy way. People love to hear these stories and resonate with them.
- Access to funding and grants – many of these applications need evidence of a business’s social value. It can be a large proportion of the application and small businesses stumble and fail when they have not taken time to collate all of this information. When they have the process is easy and successful.
- Customer, Supplier & Stakeholder retention – The whole supply chain is affected by ethics, the clients you attract as they want to work with you, the suppliers you use for your products and services, and the investments made in your business and the investments you make all need to be aligned.
- Stand out from the crowd – doing things differently and letting people know. Be memorable so that when your product and services are needed, you are top of mind.
- Enhance your influence in the industry – be seen as the go-to business that can advise and support others to achieve the same. Be seen as a business with knowledge and experience.
These are just a few benefits but I can assure you that the benefits outweigh the risks in the long term.
If sustainability is on your radar for 2025 then please do get in touch as I can take your business from the wilderness of not collating any of your impacts to being accredited in less than 3 months if you are committed to making your business as sustainable as it can be.
Do get in touch and email me alex@auxiliumconsulting.co.uk