Small Actions, Big Difference: Leveraging Corporate Sustainability to Drive Business and Societal Value

by C.B. Bhattacharya

Despite dire warnings about global warming, carbon emissions by the world's largest companies are increasing and only a few companies have strategies for managing carbon emissions and water resources.

So what separates the best from the rest? In one word, the answer is ownership: companies that are winning at sustainability have created the conditions for their stakeholders to own sustainability and reap the benefits that come with deeper experience with and ownership of social and environmental issues: a happier, more productive workforce, increased customer loyalty, higher stock valuations, and greater long-term profits.

Based on interviews with 25 global multinational corporations as well as employees, middle managers, and senior leaders across multiple sectors, this is the first book to connect sustainability to the theory and principles of psychological ownership and to propose a succinct, easy-to-digest model for managerial use.

Visit TheCBSuite .com for author news and to read blogs connecting to the book.

Genres: Business, Sustainability, Nonfiction, Science

216 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2019

Reviews

[Dharmabum · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, the author argues the need for corporates to think sustainability. He says corporates have the mind and muscle power to think through and execute where governments may be failing. Having this established a need, he goes on the enumerate a series of steps to bring in a culture of sustainability within organisations for this interested. Starting with articulating the purpose of existence, he details each step clearly and with several examples. Some of the powerful arguments i found were as follows -
- creating a buy-in from all employees and making them owners of the change
- pitching appropriately to different stakeholders - the 'good thing to do' pitch vs the 'smart thing to do pitch'
- going beyond the company to rope in suppliers and customers as well. While this sounds almost impossible and idealistic, the focus should be on small steps, while remembering the multiplier effect
- entrenching sustainability by building processes and mechanisms for recognition and incentives for sustainable beheviour
- remembering finally to act within our spheres of influence and not get bogged down by the enormity of the task at hand

Overall, this is a great read for anyone interested in bringing the sustainability discourse and practice within their organisation. I'm reducing one star for the various anecdotes, which I sometimes found were unnecessary and overdone.

[Daniel Korschun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most people agree that something needs to be done about corporate sustainability, but few have ideas on how to motivate employees and customers to do it. Even fewer have the academic research to back it up.
Bhattacharya is one of the world's leading scholars on the psychology that drives - but can also hinder - sustainable behaviors. This book lays out results from research he did at companies around the world. You won't find a more comprehensive look at this anywhere.
If you are trying to motivate people in your organization to be more sustainable, this is a must read. And if you are outside of the business world, but want a peak into how companies are thinking about sustainability, you'll find the interviews fascinating.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Small Actions Big Difference'' provides a clear pathway for how people and corporations can implement meaningful sustainability practices by focusing on individual ownership. Although it is a guide for corporate sustainability, the principals are applicable to structures beyond corporations. From small business owners, to teachers, to heads of households, anyone striving to implement sustainability practices into their lives and/or workplace would benefit from reading this book–as would the planet!

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical guidance on the implementation of a sustainability strategy

This book gives a stepwize approach to implement a sustainability culture in a company and to engage employees. Lots of examples. Gave me some good suggestions to explore.