An enjoyable few days on the Gold Coast last week for the Association for Sustainability in Business conference “Taking Care of Business: sustainable transformation”. The event brought together a diverse group of people representing organisations working towards a better way of doing things.

Expanding on recent blog entries related to social media and sustainability, here’s a further snippet of what I spoke about in my presentation, “The Evolving Landscape: sustainability and trends in social and legal influences on Australian business”.

With improving internet infrastructures (broadband, cloud computing), increasing access (cheaper and lighter computers, smartphones, tablets) and innovative platform development (blogs, apps, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest) we can expect this online landscape to continue its rapid evolution and become more common place.

Businesses, at the very least, need to assess whether or not engaging online is right for them. If it’s a fit, they need to learn how to utilise and adapt to this changing environment. Here’s some suggestions from the four leaders in the ASX200 that are actively using social media to promote their sustainability initiatives:

Equilibrium’s research to develop the report “Sustainability, Social Media and the ASX200: how they engage” discovered some interesting insight from the leaders:

• By shifting emphasis from merely informing stakeholders to engaging with them, you’re in a better position to widen your audience, open up dialogue, deepen understanding and build goodwill.
• Social media is a great opportunity to “humanise” your company and brand(s) and showcase your sustainability initiatives.
• In the online world there is no space for “values-washing” anymore – if you spruik your sustainability credentials, expectations increase and people are going to check up on you.
• Producing a sustainability report can be expensive and time consuming – a broader communications platform can help make the most of your investment.

Sustainability. Social media. The two biggest buzzwords of our time!

Equilibrium has undertaken an extensive review of the convergence of online engagement platforms and sustainability amongst the companies that make up the ASX200 to discover who is doing what, what works and what doesn’t.

The growth in the amount of users and flows of information being communicated over the internet is phenomenal. According to InternetWorld stats, in December 1995, there were 16 million users on the internet (0.4% of the world population), while in December 2011, there were 2,267 million users (32.7% of the world population).

Equilibrium will be presenting at the Private Label Manufacturers Association upcoming event “Carbon tax and sustainability – building an in-depth understanding and competitive advantage for your business”

It will be held at the Stamford Plaza Hotel, Melbourne, 7th June 2012, 8:45am – 12:30pm.

The PLMA is bringing together a leading panel of experts covering the carbon tax legislation and its implications for the manufacturing, retail and consumer segments of the economy. The presentations will also cover the key steps to develop and implement a carbon strategy for your business.

Speakers:

“What is Carbon Tax and how does it affect your business? How will it impact your customer, suppliers and consumers?” – Peter Konidaris (Partner, Indirect Taxes, PwC)

“Developing and implementing your carbon strategy” – Damien Wigley (GM, Equilibrium)

“Retailers Perspective on Carbon Tax” – Holly Angell (Head of Energy and Sustainability, Coles)

 

 

 

The internet and rise of online engagement channels provide great opportunities for companies to connect with key stakeholders in exciting new ways. It should because the central tenet of an online engagement philosophy – transparency, authenticity, credibility and learning from your community to build a better, stronger, more profitable business – are the same strengths that make the pursuit of sustainability such a compelling business ideology.

Social media channels allow companies to monitor the pulse of their stakeholders and wider community. It allows for the harnessing of crucial feedback that can help build a more resilient business. Equilibrium will soon be releasing its report “Sustainability, Social Media and the ASX200: how they engage” which details an extensive review of the convergence of online engagement platforms and sustainability amongst the companies that make up the ASX200.