Don’t Just Wing It: How to Avoid Flying Blind

In this final episode of the series, Peter Suasso de Lima de Prado of Bluespar gets very specific about actions every business, regardless of size, can take. Nobody needs to go it alone when implementing the new and upcoming business and human rights legislation. Peter is a seasoned lawyer with over two decades of experience in global supply chains and sustainability and has written a white paper on this topic for you to download and read.

?? Here are the key takeaways to round out the series

1. Engaging with NGOs:

• The Daunting Task: Peter acknowledges that working with NGOs can be intimidating but essential for enhancing sustainability efforts.
• Success Stories: Learn about multi-stakeholder initiatives in the Netherlands, where companies, unions, governments, and NGOs collaborate effectively.

2. Real-Life Example:

• Case Study: Peter shares a fascinating story from his time as head of sustainability for a steelmaker, addressing operational health and safety risks in mines in Peru and Bolivia.
• Collaborative Success: Discover how local unions, mining companies, and other stakeholders came together to improve worker conditions.

3. Building Trust and Communication:

• Establishing Trust: Peter emphasizes the importance of setting clear ground rules for communication and addressing concerns upfront.
• Honest Conversations: Understanding group dynamics and engaging in honest conversations is crucial for successful collaboration.

4. Timeframe for Building Relationships:

• Patience is Key: Peter advises taking your time, starting with smaller collaborations, and gradually expanding as comfort levels increase.
• Long-Term Goals: Building relationships can take years, but the effort is worthwhile for achieving long-term sustainability goals.

5. Expertise and Support:

• External Expertise: Bringing external experts to the table ensures responsible and practical approaches to complex issues.
• Cross-Functional Teams: Involving legal, HR, supply chain, and compliance professionals help integrate sustainability into the core business strategy.

6. Continuous Improvement:

• Ongoing Journey: Peter encourages viewing sustainability as a process of continuous improvement.
• Gap Analysis: Conducting a gap analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses and designing a roadmap for progress is essential.

7. Final Thoughts:

• Meaningful Progress: Despite the challenges, companies can make significant strides in addressing business rights and human rights issues with the right intentions and efforts.
• Embrace the Journey: By integrating sustainability into operations, businesses can position themselves as industry leaders and contribute positively to society.

Listen to Don’t Just Wing It: How to Avoid Flying Blind

You can also download the entire series directly from Spotify and Apple.

The 5Cs Podcast, book and communities are about shining a light on a better path. ?Think of it as a global village of business people giving Planet Earth a hand up. You can find Charlene Norman here on LinkedIn and here. For more thoughts from the 5Cs Podcast, subscribe on Substack.