Page 3 - Packaging News Magazine Sep-Oct 2021

September-October 2021 | www.packagingnews.com.au COMMENT | MANAGING EDITOR 3
Circle of influence
WHEN contemplating the world’s big problems – and let’s face it, from Covid to climate change and every- thing in between, we’re sadly spoilt for choice – how often have you had the thought, ‘What difference can my actions make?’ and then, ‘If I can’t make enough of an impact on my own, what’s the point?’. Probably as often as you’ve heard the counter arguments ‘every little bit counts’ , or ‘from small things big things grow’. It’s these we need to hold onto.
In our moments of deepest despon- dency, it’s the belief that our actions –whether taken in isolation or in con- cert with likeminded people – can make a difference that shifts the dark clouds to let light through.
At our Women in Packaging event last month (see report on page 60), NAWO CEO Louise Weine spoke about the importance of expanding your circle of influence. She was speaking in the context of facilitating change in the workplace, to encour- age leaders to embrace diversity and help teams flourish, and to encour- age individuals to step up and take control of their own sphere of
influence – whether that be to lean in to learn from a mentor or to lean out to your network and help others. The key takeout for me was that we all have a circle of influence, and when we choose to expand it, change happens. Ripples in a pond.
Here in the world of packaging we see so many examples of how reach- ing out to your network for help moves a project from concept to shelf faster.
Take start-up Zero Co (see page 17). Two years ago it reached out to the Australian public with a Kickstarter campaign. Its success led to the launch of a company, a home care product range, and a growing com- munity, now almost 40,000 strong, of Aussie consumers all committed to reducing single-use plastic packag- ing and cleaning up our environ- ment. Let’s not forget that to reach the point of having a full product range ready for launch, Zero Co had to reach out to packaging suppliers who shared the company’s commitment to finding a reusable solution that also incorporates recycled content. And now it’s poised for the next step. A body care range launch and a wider community – an expanding circle of influence.
We’re also seeing examples of col- laboration between competitors to work together to develop technology or infrastructure that will benefit the wider industry. A case in point is the recently announced cross-industry collaboration on a plastic recycling facility, that sees beverage industry giants Asahi and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners set aside their commercial rivalry to become part of the joint venture with Pact Group and Cleanaway (read more on page 11), which will shift Australia closer to a circular economy for plastic packag- ing material. There’s that circle again.
Here at PKN we are expanding our circle too, with the addition of a new team member in the form of editor Colleen Bate. In the weeks and months to come she’ll be connecting with you to help you share your news through the PKN circle of influence. Let’s keep growing together. ■
Lindy Hughson
Managing Editor & Publisher
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The key takeout for me was that we all have a circle of influence, and when we choose to expand it, change happens. Ripples in a pond.”