Do you know about the impact iceberg?

Hello!

A conversation with a client has prompted the topic of this month’s newsletter – all about whether you are creating surface level change or tackling the deep stuff that will make a truly meaningful difference.?

I hope it prompts some useful reflections and hopefully encourages you to take action and create change. Please let me know!?

A few weeks ago, I caught up with a client. They were feeling guilty that they hadn’t made as much progress on sustainability as they’d wanted. And some employees had been pushing for the business to do more.?

But when we started talking, it turned out that they’ve made some significant changes since the beginning of the year:?

• They’ve recruited for two senior roles that will strengthen governance within the business.??
• All employees are being engaged and involved in the company rebrand – so that the new purpose-focused brand is truly part of the business, not just a new logo and strapline.??
• Their ambitious people plan is moving forward.?

Impact / sustainability within business is like an iceberg – most of what matters sits deep below the surface, often invisible, creating an anchor that holds the whole thing in place. Things like:?

• How you make decisions and who’s involved;?
• The controls you have in place to reduce risk;?
• How roles, responsibilities and accountability are structured and set out;?
• Performance management and compensation, especially at an executive level;?
• The metrics you report on.?

Working on these things might not be as visible as the more PR-able, above-the-water activities (e.g. recycling bins, planting trees, volunteering days, giving to charity) but they are crucial to ensuring that impact is deeply embedded into what you do and how you do it.?

If you want to make a meaningful difference then you must focus on changing these things. It’s tough but vital.?

When you think about the work you’re doing on impact / sustainability, I encourage you to ask:?

Are you changing the deep stuff? Or are you sticking to surface level PR-able activities?

Go through this bullet point list and identify which are the biggest blockers to meaningful progress on impact / sustainability within your business:?

• How you make decisions and who’s involved?
• The controls you have in place to reduce risk?
• Roles, responsibilities and accountability?
• Performance management and compensation?
• Ownership and funding?
• The metrics you report on?

It can help to involve other people in this activity as they will have a different perspective to you and may experience different blockers.?

Prioritise one to focus on over the next three months. Identify some small steps (or even just one) you could take to make progress.?

March is B Corp Month – throughout the month I’ve shared practical things you can do to reduce your negative impact and increase your positive impact. These are all based on steps I’ve taken within Keartland & Co. Some are bigger, some are smaller and easier. Some are more impactful than others. Here's a summary:?

• Sign petitions?
• Intentional supplier selection?
• Be intentional about wellbeing?
• Volunteering aligned with strategy?
• Emissions reduction quick wins?
• Donations aligned with strategy?
• Know your data

As always, let me?know?([email protected]) what you'd like me to include in future editions of the newsletter. What are your biggest challenges or burning questions when it comes to delivering?meaningful?impact through your business??

Otherwise, have a great month and good luck with making a meaningful impact in the world!?

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