To misquote a much-loved muppet might be sacrilege, but when it comes to building a sustainable business model, it’s no longer as hard as it used to be. It’s still a challenge, of course, but with momentum growing, it’s becoming more accessible to embed environmentally conscious practices into everyday operations.
The first step in any operational change is understanding your market. What do your customers expect from a business that takes its environmental impact seriously? Tools like persona mapping and human-centred design can help. Try looking at your business from a customer’s point of view—what are they seeing? What would impress them? How can you exceed their expectations?
Assessing your environmental impact is fast becoming a core part of running a modern business. There’s growing evidence that businesses who actively manage their impact tend to attract more ethically minded consumers—customers who do their homework before spending. Tools such as utility data, supply chain emissions, or distributor reporting can help you build a picture of your environmental footprint and identify areas to improve.
Once you’ve mapped that impact, it’s time to set realistic, measurable goals. These could include reducing carbon emissions by 25% over 12 months or improving recycling rates in your supply chain. Whatever your target, make sure your approach is SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
As your strategy evolves, you’ll need to revisit it. At STRIDE, we often see businesses with great sustainability policies in place—but without regular check-ins or updates. Sustainability is an ongoing process, not a one-off task. Market forces shift, technologies develop, and policies change. Your strategy should, too.
Building a greener future means doing the work—consistently, consciously, and with clear goals in mind.