Integrating sustainability to transform your business

1. To begin with, could you tell us about your background and what led you to become interested in sustainable development and CSR in the business context?

A few years ago, I asked myself how I could be more useful to others and to the world. I came up with two answers:

1. Education. I strive to raise my children with an awareness of sustainability issues.
2. Leverage my experience in management and from leadership in favour of social and environmental issues. So I decided to educate myself and take action.

2. In your opinion, how can sustainability become a real driver of performance within companies?

There are models such as the Business Model Canvas that allow you to ask questions about investment and expected income. I believe that the approach of sustainability is all the more significant when it leads to an improvement in margins or sales. For me, a sustainability approach must add value in order to be viable.

3. What cultural and organisational changes do you observe when companies integrate CSR strategically?

In general, sustainability projects are cross-functional, making them an excellent topic for getting employees to work together. When management is committed and sets aside time for these issues, it creates a truly positive dynamic. It is a very powerful driver of cross-functional and vertical corporate culture.

4. Can you share a concrete example where taking sustainable development into account has transformed a company's results or dynamics?

In contract catering, we have been able to increase margins by reducing food waste. We have also lowered our carbon footprint. We have also been able to engage our stakeholders, especially our customers and suppliers.

5. What advice would you give to leaders who want to use sustainability to reinvent their business while engaging their teams?

First of all to train and gather information in order to avoid «bad good ideas». Sustainability is very complex, and sometimes a good idea can hide a very bad one. It is therefore important to take the time to analyse it. Then listen carefully to stakeholders and do not assume what their expectations are. Finally, inform and engage employees through climate or digital murals, 2 Tonnes workshops, etc.
All this while maintaining a very positive attitude! It is important to highlight the progress made, as this is a subject that can quickly become a source of anxiety...