6 steps to sustainable and successful leadership
1) Commit to boosting profit by improving efficiency
If you run a small business, then your first priority is probably to hit profit targets. Cutting energy, water and raw material use could be the easiest ways for you to maximise profitability. Small and medium sized businesses in Scotland that have received support from Business Energy Scotland have saved on average £16,000 a year simply through resource efficiency.
2) Understand how changes in regulation will impact your business
Changes in policy have a big impact on the daily running of your business. Successful business leaders anticipate these changes, embrace them and enjoy the competitive advantage that they bring.
Take the Westerwood Hotel and Golf Resort in Scotland. When legislation on food wastage came in for Scotland, managers at the hotel decided to go beyond compliance and implement a new strategy to reduce food waste. And the result? Savings of over £70,000 identified per year.
3) Know your customers and adapt to their needs
Small business leaders need to adapt quickly to changing customer requirements. There is a global trend amongst younger generations towards environmentally conscious purchasing, which is becoming a part of many businesses’ strategies.
Fortunately improving environmental performance and growing your business go hand in hand. For example, the West Highland Hotel in Scotland used an interest free loan from the Scottish Government to install a biomass boiler. The boiler has saved the business £20,000 per year, reduced its carbon footprint and is allowing guests to experience a West Highland winter in luxury and comfort.
4) Empower your staff to make savings
Successful leaders know how to empower their staff to take responsibility not just for their personal performance but also the success of the whole business.
For example, encouraging your employees to take small actions in their daily routines that reduce their energy, water or raw material use can translate into big end-of-year savings. Just getting your employees to reduce the temperature by 1 degree Celsius could save a whopping 10% from your yearly energy bill.
If you’re looking for tools to encourage your staff to save money, sign up to receive a professional communication pack from Resource Efficient Scotland here.
5) Make the most of the support and funding available now
Great business leaders know to prepare for the future by being mindful of the present. That means seizing opportunities and support while it’s available.
For example, the Scottish Government and the European Development Fund are currently offering small to medium-sized businesses in Scotland unsecured, interest free loans of up to £100,000 to fund efficiency improvements. Business leaders throughout Scotland are using this money to upgrade their boilers and improve staff comfort, install double glazing to reduce energy loss or invest in new equipment to grow their business.
Find out how apply for the funding while it’s still available here.
6) Get training on sustainable leadership
Investing in training for yourself or your staff to improve resource efficiency and environmental performance is incredibly valuable. And it doesn’t necessarily have to come at a cost.
Green Champions is a free Scottish Government funded online course designed to help your business to develop the leadership skills needed to maximise resource efficiency and profitability.
“Everyone who has the drive and ambition to better themselves and their company should sign up and complete the training.”
Steven Rae, The Sanderlings, Glasgow
“This training is really impressive, it covers a lot of information in an accessible way”
Alan Peddie, The University of Edinburgh
There are more than 1,000 Green Champions pioneering sustainable leadership and using it to grow their businesses in Scotland. Find out more about how you can join the Green Champions Community.
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