Page 16 - KZN Business Sense 7.2 - eBook

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING FOR SMES

David White, CEO, situation facing each of us, noting need to be become the archives The DRG Sustainability Report foundation, and impacts positively
DRG Outsourcing well that innovation without a we refer to as being experiences for SMEs looks at thirty-four key on shareholder desires and
firm foundation of governance, that lead us onto better and focus areas to guide entrepreneurs expectations”.
ethics and best practice in business more effective ways of doing and business leaders to what
ill Gates is required in ensuring best This is followed by focus group
says it is likely to not be successful and business. As Professor Mervyn efforts are followed to eliminate communications within the
Bstraight, sustainable. King eloquently shares...“Profit enterprise, discussing the business,
“It is an all-out Business Leaders’ Role focus is out, and value creation ineffective practices and activities what makes it successful, what can
world war, but is in”. Leading a business going within an enterprise. King IV be improved, etc. Actions points
ethic and governance principles
it is us against Hence, the drive of nations to forward is about value creation help to guide high level outcome are grouped into stakeholder
greenhouse help business leaders recognise for society. A business leader’s measurements… where their
gasses.” Much their role in the combined effort salt will thus be measured expectations, and the DRG impact on ongoing sustainability is
Sustainability Report methodology
great work and progress towards a clean through their enterprise’s ability helps to define the activities considered and shared with other
has already earth, and to maintain a focus to add value to society, and and mindsets needed to achieve focus groups/departments within
been done by on the impact their enterprises to contribute positively to the the enterprise.
entrepreneurs, are having on the economy, economy, environment, and the King Commission’s desired
outcome of sustainable enterprises
engineers, environment, and society. This social challenges. that meet organisational goals and The sustainability report
and scientists drive in educating business leaders Enterprises need to recognise stakeholder expectations. follows from the focus group
to help discover and invent ways and guiding enterprise decision that their first priority is in summaries and collates into a
we can maintain our current making towards ensuring value realising their role in creating The thirty-four key focus three-to-five-year plan, where
standards of living – and reduce outcomes that support and benefit value for stakeholders, and not areas are common within every specific areas of the business are
our carbon footprints. However, all stakeholders culminates in an be singularly focused on returns enterprise and can be grouped measured and monitored. It is
we still have much work to do to enterprise sustainability report. to shareholders and elite role into four categories, which essential that there is a common
ensure that future generations Larger enterprises have been players within the enterprise. include Leadership, Business thread following from the CEO
have access to the same raw doing sustainability reports It is the mind shift of purpose Foundation, Measurements statement to the focus groups,
materials and living conditions for many years... and in many within an enterprise that and Energy. The four categories and into the sustainability report.
most people enjoy today. There countries’ enterprises listed on requires alignment to higher inform sustainability objectives, As it is not possible for anyone to
is, of course, much work to stock exchanges are required to ‘communal’ goals and ideals, activities, and measures within accurately predict the future, the
do in countries, societies, and submit sustainability reports. Each and once this is established and economic, environmental, and sustainability report needs to be
communities to raise standards enterprise has its own uniqueness, becomes a norm within society, social impacts. It is critical that flexible enough to be adapted to
of living, improve equity and and so sustainability reports do the balanced focus required to enterprises consider a common set new conditions and circumstances,
raise hope and opportunity – and vary greatly from enterprise to tackle climate change and the of focus areas when approaching yet stable enough to provide a
these aspects are at the heart of enterprise, industry to industry, effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) sustainability intentions but framework for everyone affected
sustainability ambitions. and nation to nation. emission will gain clarity and are also aware enough to be by the enterprise to understand
momentum. sensitive to unique conditions and its intentions, direction, and its
We stand today, uncertain of DRG has been a thought leader circumstances which occur across critical measurements defining
our futures, and unsure of exactly in developing a methodology Sustainability Goals and industries and sizes of enterprises. success and sustainability. 
how we will beat the climate to help Small and Medium- Objectives
change challenge facing each and Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
every person, animal, creature create sustainability reports With so many businesses Three-step Process For more information contact:
and living organism on our that inform enterprise decision failing during their set up stage, A sustainability report requires T: +27 31 767 0625
planet earth. Moving to Mars to making and ensure that and unemployment rising in an a three-step process starting E: david@drg.co.za
begin a new civilization is not the enterprise measurements include unprecedented manner, effort with an overarching statement W: www.drg.co.za
‘simple’ solution we should focus all stakeholders’ hopes and needs to be focused on guiding from the CEO or board of the
on... The solution needs to come expectations – and not just profit criteria to assist entrepreneurs enterprise. This needs to be explicit
through our appreciation of the as per business models of many and business leaders ensure and provide a broad framework
responsibility each person must enterprises of the past. their enterprises are best placed for decision making within
have in ensuring the sustainability to anticipate and predict their the enterprise. An example of
of our earth and all who live in it. Innovation is the key to our enterprise’s sustainability. a CEO statement may include:
clean earth focus, but without Artificial intelligence is being “It is our will and intention to
Sustainability is about ensuring a sustainability intention, and a developed at an incredibly fast ensure our enterprise supports
we leave a clean and unaffected solid business foundation there is pace, and this too needs to sustainability principles, SCAN
earth for future generations. It little hope that even the greatest be cognisant of sustainability provides value to society as a QR CODE
is about innovation, and it is interventions will stand the test goals and objectives. A single whole in creating equity and
about our economy, environment of time and grow into products mindedness is required, and transformational opportunities, TO SEE
and ensuring a positive social and services to serve the needs a focus on creating a clean meets environmental targets and VIDEO
influence. Nothing can be and desires of the many people earth, that removes elements ensures a move towards zero CO2
established without a clear in the world. Many of the old contributing towards climate emissions and waste, ensures a (Open the camera on your phone and
understanding of the nature of management paradigms that change, and encouraging equity strong foundation of ethics and hover steadily for 2-3 seconds over the
the current drastic climate change served previous generations now and social inclusiveness. governance as the enterprise’s QR Code to see the video.)

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