Incorporate Environmental Strategies
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Are you prepared to adapt?
Have you implemented a robust environmental strategy focused on current risks and/or upcoming challenges?
Our world is changing: climate change, supply chains, workforce expectations, artificial intelligence, global conflicts, investors and risks, nature and biodiversity and diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.
Fortune: 2023 Sustainability In Manufacturing: We've Got Work To Do
3 out of 10 surveyed companies are struggling to form effective strategies to improve the sustainability of their operations.
It’s nearly impossible to make effective plans to improve when you don’t know where the problems lie and don’t have the infrastructure in place to measure your progress!
The bottom line is that integrating sustainability into your management strategy and operational approach will increase operational efficiency, reduce costs and waste, strengthen your brand and reputation, and build long-term business viability and success.
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Are you up-to-speed on your environmental practices? Your employees, customers, and your industry expect you to be working on them.
Several years ago, the founder of Sustainable Futures Consulting collaborated with other members of New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility to develop the Measure What Matters (MWM) survey. It evaluates their practices in six sections: climate and energy, environment, workplace, community, governance and transparency, and diversity and inclusion.
The B Impact Assessment from B Lab is used to certify businesses as B Corps. It is far reaching and rigorous. The Assessment is also valuable for any business to learn about new policies and actionable tools. The founder is a trained B Consultant and led the B Impact Clinic at the University of New Hampshire.
These and other resources are useful to assess your company’s impact, hone in on areas of improvement, mark progress, and discover insights to amplify your actions.
As examples, both micro and large businesses use the NHBSR Measure What Matters survey to track their actions and benchmark against other companies like Lonza Biologics, Hypertherm Associates, and Stonyfield Organics.
Communicate Sustainability Impact
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When your team, customers, investors, community, and the next-gen workforce demand alignment on values, how will your business respond?
A stellar business reputation requires integrity, authenticity, trust, transparency, and humility. To cultivate and protect your reputation, business leaders must implement ongoing assessments of business practices, themselves, employees, processes, and their social and environmental impact.
Sustainable Futures Consulting has nurtured businesses’ reputations and values over multiple decades. As an independent third-party, we review what you are known for and what is missing, beginning at the website and social media.
I like the fact that the Business Reputation Assessment looks at both our impact on potential employees, as well as customers, suppliers, and our community. Our organization values this unique, third-party perspective.
Tim Dining, Chief Operating Officer, Admix, Inc.
I like the fact that the Business Reputation Assessment looks at both our impact on potential employees, as well as customers, suppliers, and our community. Our organization values this unique, third-party perspective.
Tim Dining, Chief Operating Officer, Admix, Inc.
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What happens when you and your team don’t use consistent and compelling conversations about your business?
Sustainable Futures Consulting has worked on many messaging platforms in multiple industries over decades to align leaders with consistent and powerful messaging.
There has to be an advocate and a protector of the messages.
While at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the Sustainable Futures Consulting founder created state-wide messages about energy efficiency investments and then got approval by the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy & Environment, other Secretaries, and the governor’s office. Journalists also used that messaging.
While at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the Sustainable Futures Consulting founder created state-wide messages about energy efficiency investments and then got approval by the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy & Environment, other Secretaries, and the governor’s office. Journalists also used that messaging.
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Does your marketing and communication leader/team have the authority to ensure messaging is consistent across the company and externally?
How will they modify their messages when key trends in the industry and societal change happen?
By learning how to communicate about local impacts of pollution, reducing waste, and the positive actions taken within the business, the company’s reputation and its employees will garner positive feedback.
We can teach you how to find the people who are influencing your business, industry, geography, and community.
Amplify the Bottom Line
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Do you have metrics to reduce material waste in your business?
Are you working to streamline your materials from your supply chain and finding more localized components?
Sustainable Futures Consulting’s founder’s first experience in business was in a Fortune 500 company that had a robust Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) group. The company was dependent on chemicals to make most of its products. She worked with the team and the director of EHS to research other industries’ practices on designing products with lower impact on people and nature.
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Are you up to date on the current information about your industry and your stakeholders’ needs related to environmental strategies, nature, and social impact?
If you aren’t up-to-date on governmental compliance and non-governmental assessments and ratings in Europe and the U.S., it may hinder your sales.
Sustainable Futures Consulting has a longstanding practice of researching innovative ideas and tools that will improve business clients’ bottom line. In addition, we interview leading edge speakers and visionaries to find examples for individual businesses and industries.
The founder has worked in national and state government and has been in early stages of innovative ideas
Sustainable Futures Consulting clients have a partner who understands what they’re up to, who will apply tried and true expertise to fulfill their needs, and work effectively, strategically, and swiftly.
PROJECTS
Client • voi
project type | FACILITATION
It was time to choose where to focus near-term efforts. I facilitated a strategic planning session for key officers and the marketing team to prioritize resources and hone strategies. After we stood back, looked at the SWOT analysis, and reviewed Voi's goals, the team made key decisions and pivoted to focus on a few key market players.
client • Reno energy Consulting services
project type | creation
Maureen Reno, Founder of Reno Energy Consulting (RECS), needed to establish her brand and move beyond her current business model. Together, we created her vision, mission, tagline and company narrative; outlined market strategies; and developed content and creative for her website and collateral.
client • Aquifer
project type | IMPLEMENTATION
I was brought in to ensure its re-branding project stayed on track with the messaging, creative, and new website, while managing key milestones with the senior team. Deep into the details, I tracked progress on content and user interface and activated external and internal experts as needed to complete the project successfully.
TESTIMONIALS
RIck johnson
chief executive officer | voi health
“What I really appreciated about Sue's contribution is that she was invested in our success, navigated through the ups and downs of a new company, and kept her focus on what we were working to achieve. Just as important, she is a true leader who "takes ownership" of a project, provides clear guidance to her team, and completes her tasks flawlessly and on time. She made my job so much easier. Sue is a wise, flexible, and highly effective professional.”
michelle veasey
chief executive officer
nh businesses for social responsibility
"Sue Kaplan brings rich and deep insights to all of her work. She engages teams in a way that encourages sustained momentum by focusing on achieving shared goals. NHBSR has benefitted from her ability to inspire action, turning challenges into opportunities."
Matthew Gardner
Managing Partner
Sustainserv, Inc.
Sue is a highly accomplished, knowledgeable professional who brings years of experience to the CSR/Environmental arena. We need more expert communicators such as her in this field.”
sam evans-brown
Executive Director
clean energy nh
“Susan mobilized her expert planning process and facilitation skills--as well as her deep knowledge of sustainability and clean energy--to create a high engagement retreat and an updated strategic plan for the organization. Her steady hand and collaboration helped define our place in the advocacy community and ensure continuity in the face of change.”
boyd smith
president & Ceo
nH water works association, inc.
“The NH Water Works Association…engaged Sue Kaplan because of her record of success with large and small businesses, her demonstrated understanding of our needs and goals, her comprehension of what was within our means to accomplish, and her commitment to being a true partner devoted to our success. Sue operates with the perfect balance of listening to our ideas and sharing her expertise. Her follow-through on schedule, deliverables and budget was flawless. She was easy to work with and brought an extremely high level of professionalism to our project.”
Rachel Graham Evans
Deputy General Counsel
Mass. Department of Energy Resources
Sue's attention to detail and perception of her audience were always spot-on and enhanced our work immeasurably. With her guidance, leadership, and communication skills, our office was recognized many times over for achievement in the field of energy efficiency.
Missy Padoll
Director, Corporate Marketing and Communications
CRICO
Sue is an intelligent, enthusiastic, and fully-engaged professional. She contributes positive energy, innovative ideas, and a thoughtful approach to any work environment. During our professional association, she proved to be an excellent and supportive manager who offered the right balance of guidance and empowerment to help her staff achieve their highest potential.