In sustainability, we all need a Toto!

One of the most iconic scenes in movies is toward the end of The Wizard of Oz, when Toto pulls back the curtain to reveal that the so-called Wizard, was not real, but was someone who had conjured up the wizard through clever deception. Until Toto exposed this charlatan everyone believed that this conjurer was real.

When it comes to sustainability (social, economic and environmental) every organization needs a Toto!

Why? Because when enterprises deal with suppliers everyone asks through formal or informal means are they sustainable and perhaps a few questions about their sustainability programs/approach.Most firms have statements on their commitment to sustainability on their websites, write about the things (sometimes random) in regards to what they have accomplished. S

And there are businesses that have done an excellent job on sustainability. However, in most cases, if you "pull back the curtain" you will find that there is little substance, limited action and mostly smoke and mirrors. Their statements are marketing lore.

So how do they get away with pandering to sustainability this way? Because they don't have a Toto, someone who actually goes and assesses their actions and accomplishments on sustainability. As such there is little risk to the supplier to be found out. Their marketing team, can use all the buzz words to ensure that the smoke and mirrors seems authentic.

Ronald Reagan said, "Trust but Verify" and this is extremely important when it comes to pronouncements about sustainability by your suppliers.

Make sure you have a Toto, who pulls back the curtain. You will be surprised what you will find!