MD, Alastair Dobson recounts what an experience it was for Taste of Arran being part of the Sustainability Zone at the recent Scottish Trade Spring Trade Fair and Speciality Food Show at the SECC Glasgow.
I learned so much from partners on the stand, Secret Garden Distillery, Powering Futures, D&G College, Emiel's Food Forest, Amy Britton, and stand sponsors Smurfit Westrock.
Not forgetting the inspiration and guidance from the zone organisers Ray and Gavin from Think Partnership.
Every day is a school day
Talking with the companies and visitors to the Sustainability Zone, we had many discussions about our individual businesses, personal ambitions and what sustainability meant within that context. I was also delighted to have the chance to discuss needs of customers who were attending the show and whether sustainability was a major factor for them.
This greatly helped me re-think how best to pitch my input at the Sustainability discussion (How Sustainability is shaping the future of supply chains) as part of an excellent program of seminars on the spotlight stage. I need to make sustainability questions and solutions as relevant to our customers and stakeholders as we would for our team back at base.
Preparing our business for a sustainable future
For me sustainability at an SME level has primarily to be fully focussed on sustaining a resilient business for the next 3, 5, 10 years and beyond. Essential to prepare the business infrastructure for growth and sustain it. Improving the lives of our valuable team members and their dependents.
This is critical to a “purpose led” business. We must care for our business, our people and of course the planet and if we do that, I believe profits will sustain and grow. Taking that view then demands that we must plot our continuous improvement journey and base it on a route to net zero , people development whilst looking at investment and funding through a digital and green lens.
Simply for me is a strategy based on happiness:-
Keep your customers happy by offering great products, service and attention.
Keep your team happy by being a great place to work.
Keep the planet happy by ensuring you embed sustainability in everything you do.
Keep your community happy by embracing all of the above.
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