Have you noticed how sustainable practices have gained prominence in the market, especially in recent years?
This strategy has become highly valued by consumers and is now crucial for business success!
According to Accenture Strategy, around 87% of global companies have already implemented or are in the process of implementing sustainability practices
But do you know how this trend—and necessity—is connected to innovation and intrapreneurship?
To discover why and understand this relationship, keep reading the article.
How Are Intrapreneurship and Sustainability Connected?
Known for driving corporate leadership, intrapreneurship is, at its core, a new way to create solutions that foster innovation. This is achieved through teams united by a shared goal!
What many still don’t realize is that the practice of intrapreneurship can be a powerful catalyst for transformation and sustainability within companies. Why is that?
Through intrapreneurship, internally proposed solutions and ideas can lead to new business models, as well as the development of products, services, technologies, and strategies aimed at reducing environmental impacts.
As a result, we achieve what is known as sustainable innovation, which stands out by addressing gaps with intelligence, efficiency, and responsibility.
But there’s more: the practice offers both short- and long-term benefits!
In addition to being an effective strategy for creating financial, social, and environmental value, companies that embrace sustainability-driven intrapreneurship are more likely to thrive in the future, according to the #NotEnough report by Fundação Dom Cabral.
he reverse is also true! Organizations that invest in innovation and ESG stand out in intrapreneurship, creating ideas with well-defined priorities.
It is, without a doubt, a two-way street.
What Are the Benefits of Sustainability-Driven Intrapreneurship?
Investing in sustainable innovation brings numerous benefits to the environment, but it also significantly benefits organizations.
First and foremost, through increased awareness among teams, companies experience cost reduction. This is achieved especially through energy savings, efficient management of natural resources, and waste minimization.
Next, there is a boost in operational efficiency, driven by ideas to optimize processes, adopt new technologies, and enhance the quality of products and services offered.
Additionally, intrapreneurial companies gain the opportunity to access new markets, thanks to their ability to quickly identify and respond to consumers' sustainable demands.
Finally, but no less importantly, is the advantage of attracting and retaining talent.
By committing to sustainable innovation, companies can attract new employees who are eager to join a responsible, purpose-driven, and engaged organization.
Interested in adopting this concept but unsure where to start? Check out the article Developing a Culture of Intrapreneurship: Strategies and Benefits.
And don’t miss the chance to learn from a real-life example of a successful case in intrapreneurship and sustainability.
Success Story: Unilever's Sustainability Plan
A partner of Voe Sem Asas and a benchmark in innovation and intrapreneurship, Unilever celebrates 14 years since the adoption of its sustainability plan (USLP).
In the beginning, the challenge was significant, requiring dedication and creativity from its employees, but today, the strategy is considered a game-changer for the company.
Thanks to the team's practices and commitment, Rebecca Marmot, Chief Sustainability Officer at Unilever, shared in 2020 that the company's most sustainable brands, such as Dove and Hellmann's, surpassed the average growth rate of the rest of the portfolio.
As a result, Unilever saved over 1 billion euros through initiatives such as improving water and energy efficiency in its factories, reducing materials, and minimizing waste.
Additionally, the plan was instrumental in attracting top talent and achieving key company goals, such as:
- Reducing the total waste footprint per consumer use of products by 32%.
- Cutting greenhouse gas emissions in factories by 50% and achieving a 100% renewable electricity grid across its facilities.
Have you considered adopting an intrapreneurial culture to develop sustainability-focused solutions for your business?
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