The biggest enemy of change and accelerating sustainability is conducting “business as usual.”
Why?
👉 Because business as usual – that is, working in the standard or usual way – is not built for change or innovation. Thus, companies that insist on operating according to “business as usual” can be left in the dust, tied down by outmoded ways of working and thinking.
Stuck in the status quo? Here are some signs your organization might be following business as usual:
🖤 You constantly react to pressure with short-term quick fixes
🖤 “This is how we do things” is basically your company’s mantra
🖤 There is a lack of innovation within the organization
🖤 Your company does not facilitate flexible working arrangements
🖤 Those at the top have the highest decision-making power (bonus points if there is a strong hierarchical culture)
What’s the problem with business as usual?
You might think that operating with business as usual might not be so bad. After all, it’s gotten us to where we are now – a modern era defined by rapid technological advancement, high standards of living, and unstoppable innovation.
But… business as usual has also hurt us and, more importantly, the planet. It has resulted in global issues like systemic inequality, lack of effort on limiting carbon emissions resulting in a high reliance on fossil fuels, and traditional (read: old school) ways of working characterized by inflexibility, a 9-to-5 mentality, and giving more opportunities to men over women.
On an organizational level, business as usual can lead to:
🗑️ Limited innovation as new ideas are most likely overlooked
📉 Lack of growth for individuals within the company
🛟 Diminished resilience and ability to adapt to changing times
🚫 A culture of inequality across all spectrums
💎 Reduced employee engagement and motivation as decision-making power lies at the top
So, how can we break business as usual?
Moving past “business as usual” goes beyond simply “doing good.” It’s more than a mission statement on a company’s website or the induction of a new head of sustainability – it’s also about taking proper action such as setting KPIs to measure sustainability efforts.
The good news is most organizations are ready to make an impact. They just don’t know how.
If your organization is serious about accelerating sustainability, here are a few core principles to consider:
✳️ Adopt fewer and more specific goals
✳️ Address the most promising opportunities
✳️ (Re)allocate resources accordingly
✳️ Don’t shy away from tackling inconsistencies
Change doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, big change often starts with a few small, yet meaningful, steps.
👉Are you ready to say goodbye to business as usual in order to accelerate sustainability in your organization? Reach out today to become partners in change!
