Business Automation and Sustainability Methods

Julie Starr • June 2, 2023

The time has come when business automation and sustainability practices are no longer separate. Neither are they a choice. The world is moving towards green initiatives across all sectors, and the question is whether you will wait and lose out or get on the ride early. If you choose to use automation methods early, you will help your business fortify itself against sweeping changes that are predicted to come to every industry with global green initiatives.


Massively Reduced Paperwork

There is a massive problem with paper in all industries. We rely on it too much, and in fact, we overuse it to some extent. Paper is unnecessary for most things, including customer relations, company reports, and even the contract process, all of which can be digital. Automated solutions can help you reduce paper at tour business. For example, you can lower the amount of paper used with AI tools that catch and cancel mailings for appointments that are confirmed.


Automation and Sustainability with Real-Time Data

Data is all we hear about these days. It is everywhere. And with good reason. The more data we have, the better informed we are. And the more informed we are, the more accurate and efficient the decision-making process becomes. With automation, you access accurate data that is as good as it can be. You can use this data to measure KPIs and other metrics related to sustainability initiatives with the goal of reducing your company’s overall environmental impact.


Improved Costs Analysis

You can’t measure the entire impact of your business without clean and relevant data. And most data that comes in can be convoluted and irrelevant. This costs more time and money. But it also means some costs stay hidden from view. Yet automated data solutions can analyze data and pick out necessary items related to sustainability and eco-impact. As a result, you can make more informed decisions related to your green initiative budget and increase its efficiencies.


Managing Energy Output

Of course, energy efficiency, waste, and management are priority topics concerning sustainability. And managing this manually can be a big task. Automation can help with:

  • Collecting and visualizing energy usage data across multiple company sites.
  • Using timers and sensors to switch off energy supplies that aren’t needed.
  • AI tools can help shut down large-scale systems much faster than a human.
  • You can set up automated alerts to systems that have been left switched on.
  • Heating and environmental controls can be automated to stay within boundaries.


Automating energy usage has become easier than ever today. Custom systems that use a combination of software and smart technology are affordable, efficient, and very powerful.


Reduce Greenwashing to Attract Skilled Workers

A recent survey found that almost 70% of people looking for jobs would be happier working for a company with a strong green initiative. Yet you must be honest in your approach to eco-friendly policies without inflating your actions. You can use automated systems to provide insights about your genuine sustainability practices with accurate data. You can then share this data with auditors, shareholders, and employees to reduce greenwashing and attract genuine interest.


Automation and Sustainability Improves HR

Human Resources (HR) is the backbone of a company. Without HR, the hiring process, payroll, and even data protection would be almost impossible. But the sheer amount of work that is involved in quality HR services can be overwhelming. Yet many HR tasks are repetitive, which is where automation shines. Posting, printing, and even onboarding take time and money. But you can digitize all of these and automate the entire process so HR can get on with complex tasks.


Future-Proofing Your Business

More companies are moving towards automation. And many others are implementing green initiatives. There are relatively few that are using the two together. However, this is slowly but surely changing. Getting on the ride now will ensure better business practices for the next few years. This is because of the rapidly advancing changes in AI systems with automation, and indeed, a changing shift in sustainability practices is inevitable. You can lead, or you can follow.


Improve Shipping and Delivery

Getting your customers their products to them in a timely manner is one of the most important tasks any business can undertake. With major brands doing same day deliveries and stressing speed consumers have come to expect that they will get what they have ordered in as short a time as possible. To this end, you have to make sure that you put systems in place to get deliveries out on time. One way to do this is with route planning software. When doing deliveries it's important to know the most fuel efficient and fastest routes to take. This software can help you do that, this way you can give your customers what they ordered in a timely manner.


Summary

Automation and sustainability are combining for improved business and industry practices all over the world. With automation, you can reduce how much paper you use, enhance your energy output and management, and make sure your company is ready for the AI revolution. Yet, at its core, you can also use automation to analyze, identify and display data that is wholly relevant to your current objective, such as reducing energy waste and costs that are hidden.

Leveraging Social Media to Engage Stakeholders in Environmental and Corporate Sustainability

By Julie Starr • January 27, 2025
Social media has transformed from a perceived "trend" into an essential tool for businesses to connect with their audiences. It is a cost-effective and dynamic way to personalize a brand and foster meaningful relationships with both existing and potential stakeholders. However, many companies miss the mark by focusing too heavily on pushing corporate messaging rather than fostering genuine engagement. When used thoughtfully, social media becomes a bridge between the corporate world and its stakeholders, especially when addressing critical topics like environmental and corporate sustainability. Why Social Media Matters for Sustainability Engagement Social media provides businesses with an opportunity to access and leverage social intelligence—the insights gained from observing and analyzing online conversations. This intelligence is invaluable for understanding stakeholder concerns, interests, and values. By utilizing social media’s openness and users’ willingness to discuss almost anything online, companies can gather data to inform their sustainability strategies and communication efforts. Stakeholders today expect more than generic corporate messaging. They want to see how companies align their actions with broader sustainability goals. Social media is a platform where businesses can showcase transparency, share progress, and create dialogue around environmental and corporate responsibility initiatives. Crafting a Stakeholder-Centric Social Media Strategy A successful social media strategy starts with understanding what stakeholders care about. To create content that resonates, consider the following guiding questions: What are the primary incentives or goals that stakeholders prioritize? Tailor your content to highlight how your sustainability initiatives address these priorities. What preconceived ideas do stakeholders have about the issues being communicated? Address these head-on to build trust and credibility. What concerns or objections might stakeholders raise? Anticipate and respond to these concerns in a transparent and constructive manner. What communication styles resonate with your audience? Determine whether stakeholders respond better to data-driven content or inspiring narratives and adapt accordingly. How does your messaging align with corporate values? Reinforce your company’s commitment to sustainability through consistent and value-driven communication. What metaphors, images, or stories will appeal to stakeholders? Use visuals and storytelling to make complex sustainability topics relatable and engaging. Why should stakeholders find your definition of success compelling? Demonstrate how your goals align with broader environmental and societal benefits. What other issues must be addressed to build credibility? Ensure your messaging doesn’t overlook topics that matter most to your audience. What are the intended and unintended consequences of your messaging? Consider how your communications will shape future stakeholder relationships and perceptions. Turning Insights into Action By incorporating a 360-degree assessment of stakeholder engagement, businesses can use social media to: Educate audiences about their sustainability efforts. Showcase measurable progress and impact. Engage in two-way conversations to gather feedback and improve initiatives. Build a community of advocates who share and amplify sustainability messages. The Power of Collaboration and Authenticity Authenticity is the cornerstone of effective sustainability communication. Stakeholders are more likely to engage with brands that demonstrate genuine commitment and transparency. Share real stories, admit challenges, and celebrate milestones. Additionally, collaborate with influencers, non-profits, and other organizations to amplify your message and showcase a collective commitment to sustainability.  Partner with Taiga Company for Strategic Social Media Engagement Navigating the complexities of social media engagement can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Taiga Company, we specialize in crafting tailored social media strategies that connect businesses with their stakeholders while driving environmental and corporate sustainability goals. Let us help you create meaningful, impactful conversations that inspire action and foster lasting relationships.

Bridging Internal Gaps in Sustainability Goals through Communication

By Julie Starr • January 27, 2025
The State of Sustainability Readiness 2024 report by IBM provides a sobering look at the challenges businesses face in achieving their sustainability objectives. One of the standout findings is the internal misalignment between C-suite executives and VP decision-makers on sustainability priorities. Additionally, regional disparities highlight the complexities of addressing sustainability across different markets. For organizations striving to make meaningful progress, clear and effective internal communication is key to bridging these gaps. At Taiga Company, we recognize that internal alignment on sustainability goals is essential for crafting cohesive and impactful strategies. Without shared understanding and collaboration across all levels of an organization, even the best sustainability initiatives can falter. Here’s how communication can play a pivotal role in addressing internal alignment: 1. Establish a Unified Vision Sustainability goals often involve multiple departments, from operations to marketing. When leaders at different levels have varying priorities, it’s easy for efforts to become fragmented. Solution: Develop a unified sustainability vision that resonates with all levels of leadership. This vision should clearly articulate how sustainability aligns with the company’s mission and long-term goals. How Communication Helps: Host regular cross-departmental meetings to align on key objectives. Use internal communication channels like newsletters, town halls, and video messages to consistently reinforce the shared vision. 2. Foster Two-Way Communication The IBM report highlights the gap between executive-level priorities and the perspectives of VP-level decision-makers. This disconnect can hinder effective implementation of sustainability initiatives. Solution: Create platforms for two-way dialogue where leaders across different levels can share insights, challenges, and feedback. How Communication Helps: Implement feedback loops through surveys or structured meetings to capture perspectives from all levels. Use collaborative tools like project management platforms to keep everyone informed and engaged. 3. Address Regional Disparities with Tailored Messaging Regional differences in sustainability challenges require nuanced approaches that consider local contexts. A blanket strategy can fail to address unique needs, creating further misalignment. Solution: Tailor communications to reflect regional priorities while maintaining alignment with the overall sustainability strategy. How Communication Helps: Develop localized communication plans that align with regional sustainability goals. Use regional success stories to demonstrate how local efforts contribute to broader objectives. 4. Empower Employees as Sustainability Advocates Sustainability isn’t just a leadership priority—it should be embedded throughout the organization. Empowering employees to understand and champion sustainability goals can strengthen internal alignment.  Solution: Provide training and resources that equip employees to advocate for sustainability within their roles. How Communication Helps: Launch internal campaigns to educate employees about sustainability goals and their role in achieving them. Celebrate individual and team contributions to sustainability through internal platforms. Final Thoughts: Preparing for 2025 The path to sustainability readiness lies in cohesive communication strategies that bring leaders and teams together under a shared vision. As the IBM report underscores, addressing internal alignment is not just a nice-to-have but a necessity for progress. At Taiga Company, we understand the complexities of navigating internal dynamics in sustainability communications. From crafting unified messaging to fostering collaboration across regions and levels, our approach ensures your organization’s sustainability goals are understood and embraced at every level. Let’s work together to create a stronger, more aligned foundation for your sustainability journey in 2025.
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