Sustainability intangibles now provide firmer business advantages says leader
While pro-sustainability pundits have typically - and one might argue, ernestly – pointed to intangible, off-balance
sheet rewards that come through adopting sustainability practises, one local business leader asserts there are now
harder demarcation lines of business advantage to be drawn.
Appearing in his second video commentary for the business leadership initiative, Leaders Review, Mark Roberts, Group GM of Alsco New Zealand, outlines the benefits of what he sees as a wider, and more modern,
sustainablity purview – a type of charter he referred to in an earlier commentary as the three upholding pillars of
People, Planet and Prosperity to all stakeholders.
“It determines your marketability...your brand...(and) how attractive you are to work for,” says Roberts.
“In an employment environment where people are often chaning jobs regularly, you’re providing compelling (additional)
reasons for people to stay – they believe in the further purpose of your business. You’re also attractive to people who might want to join your organisation from the outside.”
Around marketability and brand, Roberts adds, “If you embrace a strategy that is tapping into the way the world is
thinking...the way decision-makers are thinking, you will have a more sustainable business.” The double-entendre is intentional as he also sees the sustainability movement
reliant on business itself being successful – what he characterises as a type of symbiosis.
That union of sustainability and buisness itself, Roberts firmly contends, provides growth that “begins to happen as a
matter of course.”
“Its really important that you have clear intent as a business (around sustainability measures)...are clear in what you
are trying to do...(and) that you communicate with those people you do business with, the people you work with, and
people who supply to you. Its important that everyone is successful.”
“If you’re not aligning your business (to wider stakeholders) - if you don’t think its important - I suggest more time
out talking to customers...Its pretty damned important.”
What: Leaders Review Focus Points (2018). Short-form video series of public service messages for business by invited New Zealand business leaders (televised and
online).
Where/When: Leaders Review’s series of week-long, signature TVC spots, as they appear throughout the year, just before the 7AM
National News bulletins on TV3’s AM Show. Also on demand at LeadersReview.co.nz with additional, short-form breakout editions.
ends