Lais Silva
When we look at the history of humanity, several periods stand out as times of great transformation. It is undoubtedly the case for the last few years of our adventure on Earth. From the pandemic to the Digital Transformation, we have lived in an era of profound changes – not only to evolve but also to preserve our world. In this context, companies of all sizes and segments are under pressure to position themselves on the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) agenda as a fundamental part of their business strategies. So, how is it possible to put this sustainable discourse into practice?
The answer to this challenge certainly goes through technology, with the implementation of innovations and resources to facilitate everything from the development of new products and services to streamlining the measurement of the results of each initiative or, ultimately, to sustain operations by reducing each more and more consumption of natural resources such as water, light, raw materials of all kinds.
It is also worth mentioning that paying attention to these points and adopting sustainability and governance practices are no longer differentials of a brand. It is a need, especially looking at the new profile of consumers and investors, who are much more interested and concerned about understanding how organizations are working to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and governance.
According to a survey by EY, for example, no less than 99% of investors already consider the disclosure of results related to the ESG area as an essential part of supporting an organization. The same study also indicates that 78% of investments are granted with the requirement that companies apply actions of this type in their businesses. Likewise, several surveys show that customers, in general, are also aware of what each company does to adapt to this more conscious world.
In this scenario, it is impossible not to think of ESG demand as a pillar of business today. It does not mean, however, that all brands need to be at the same levels of innovation: in fact, it is opportune to remember that we are on a journey in which each company is at a different pace. For this reason, it is pretty recommended that companies seek the collaboration and partnership of specialists who can effectively support the implementation of the most suitable technologies to enhance processes, analyses, and objectives.
Today, the industry has solutions of all kinds to allow companies to enable and implement their cultures and proposals – or to manage and demonstrate the indicators obtained in their efforts to build a better world. Even traditional products and services now have options aligned with this field.
If it is true that IT teams are being modified, gaining new applications and solutions to allow companies to obtain and evaluate data and parameters related to their routines, it is also a fact that this transformation needs to be conducted in an intelligent, adequate, and aligned way, to achieve strategic issues. Before investing in specific resources, it is always necessary to know how to identify which are the most suitable options to optimize and facilitate the life of each operation, whether in the task of minimizing the environmental impact or in activities to support social development and positive responsibility with the environment.
By creating a tailored plan, companies could get the opportunity to collect and analyze data from different sources more assertively, facilitating decision-making and enabling future strategies more accurately and intelligently. It is an advantage that leaders (even outside IT) cannot neglect.
Technology is a vital point to enable the evolution of companies, and the same happens to the achievement of a sustainable and long-term approach capable of guaranteeing a positive impact on society and the environment – and improving the corporative result. In a scenario increasingly oriented towards sustainability and the use of data, there is no doubt that the organizations truly prepared to navigate the changes in these regulatory grounds will have the best results (with data and sustainability).
By investing in technology and ESG, companies reinforce trust in the partnership relationship with stakeholders and go beyond. In practice, technology enables the achievement of investments, attracts, and retains talent, and inspires customer loyalty and trust. However, it remains a challenge to see which companies will take the right steps now to build the best possible future for the planet and their businesses.
Lais Silva, Head of Marketing and Alliance at IT-ONE
