One major benefit of being an environmentally responsible business is that it helps you attract more business. When other businesses are looking for partners, they’ll be more attracted to companies with a green conscience as this signifies they are efficient, future-thinking and innovative. It also gives off the perception of running a tighter ship, and having a faster, more trouble-free turnover.
Whether these perceptions are true or not, being environmentally sustainable is a key way many businesses grow and create beneficial B2B relationships.
How does sustainability benefit B2B companies?
Environmental sustainability has found its way onto the business agenda, and its importance is set to increase over the coming years. So, it’s vital to understand the implications of becoming a sustainable business if you want to reap the benefits and develop your businesses opportunities and prospects.
Being an environmentally conscious business can be an invaluable tool for attracting and keeping more customers or clients. Consumers are becoming much more aware of where and what they’re purchasing, and being aware and responding to this is key to drawing new and ongoing clientele.
Plus, when procedures are implemented effectively and adhered to, being environmentally friendly can help reduce your company’s operational costs.
Because of this, an environmentally sustainable business is far more attractive to others looking to extend and develop B2B relationships. Having a positive client image and money savvy company strategy is key to not only generating and encouraging good business, but also for attracting associates.
Why is sustainability so important in the business world?
Environmental sustainability is becoming an important issue in the business world for three very compelling reasons.
1. By having a clear approach to sustainability, it demonstrates that your business cares about the environment. This in turn sends out a positive social message, and builds trust and affinity between your customers and your brand.
2. Companies involved in product innovation should be coming up with ‘green solutions’, as these are increasingly becoming more attractive to customers, and therefore partners and investors.
3. Many tenders now enforce standard sustainability requirements, so if you want to put in a bid for a project or service (especially to the government) you’ll need to meet these expectations.
How can you make your business more sustainable?
A B2B orientated company should be thinking of ways to improve their environmental sustainability before it becomes an industry requisite. Be proactive, as it shows you’re always looking for ways to increase the value of your product or service to customers and associates.
Ensure that you keep informed about sustainability by keeping up to date with industry regulations, issues and legislation. It’s also beneficial to keep abreast of national and global trends. You may want to ask your customers what particular aspects of environmental sustainability are most important to them and try to incorporate these into your service.
One easy way to make your business more sustainable is to invest in greener communications. As we move further and further into the technological age, it’s now possible to make digital versions of all your documents – paper use could be obsolete in the not so distant future. By becoming fully digital you’ll have a big advantage when it comes to finding potential B2B partners, as you’ll demonstrate you’re environmentally conscious, as well as making it easier to document, share and organise everything.
Having a clear strategy in place to manage waste in an environmentally friendly manner is one of the most important ways to raise your green profile. If your waste is hazardous in nature you should already be adhering to industry regulations, but there are other things you can do, such as converting your waste into something useful, if possible. For example, excess construction timber can be recycled into wood chips.
When you choose to become an environmentally sustainable business, you want to be sure that other businesses and the public, are aware of this move. Acquire some form of accreditation from a green organisation, as this will both boost your rep and make your business seem more reputable to customers and potential B2B associates.
There’s no doubt about it, being environmentally conscious is an important and growing element for any business wanting to develop their B2B relationships. If you want to get ahead of the game, it’s time to develop your sustainability strategy – today.