Date: February 24, 2016
To help new businesses approach the challenges of managing their impact on society, Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) organised a workshop on “Sustainability and Social Impact of Business” in collaboration with Aramex, one of Zubair SEC’s partners in supporting small enterprises in the Sultanate.
While the workshop deliberated on the need to care about sustainability, it also discussed means to achieve it. Focussing on the wider picture, it looked at forward-looking innovations across the sustainable and social impact areas.
Speakers shared details on the importance of sustainability and social impact through the value chain and operations of businesses. Presenters recommended ways forward for start-ups and SMEs to implement sustainable practices in their business.
Specialists also reflected on the role of the private sector in supporting SMEs to contribute to sustainable development. Case studies of sustainability and social impact practices by large corporations were also shared.
Raji Hattar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Aramex, trainer at the event, spoke about how sustainability is an integral feature of his company’s business worldwide. He spoke about how companies can integrate and include key economic, environmental and social corporate sustainability plans and practices into their business and shared a number of examples and exercises.
Mr Hattar advised companies to work on a sustainable business model that aims at including all stakeholders’ interests, capitalize on the business capacities, while attending to social needs and challenges.
According to the company website, Aramex has set a regional example by releasing the first Sustainability Report in the Arab world, in which it has set a goal to become the first carbon neutral global logistics and transportation company in the world. Aramex’s sustainability efforts are supported by six pillars, including education and youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, community development, emergency relief, sports, and environmental commitments.
Speaking about the importance of organising a workshop on the subject, Lina Hussein, Head of Communication & Social Impact, Zubair SEC, and co-trainer at this workshop said, “The Zubair Corporation is a strong advocate of sustainable business practices. The principle of sustainable development is embedded in the group’s strategy. Zubair SEC, the social responsibility initiative of the group, has been working with SMEs and new businesses to encourage them to embed sustainable business practices and achieve positive social impact throughout their different operations.”
“Advocating for social impact of business has been part and parcel of Zubair SEC’s efforts since establishment. While raising public awareness on the practicalities of the subject, we also equip our members and help them design business models that would adopt such practices on a day-to-day basis. Last year, we also introduced a winner seat within our annual Direct Support Programme for a social enterprise to be advised and guided towards achieving economic and social sustainability and growth simultaneously,” she said.
Zubair SEC’s Direct Support Programme provides support and mentorship to high-potential new entrepreneurs and young business owners. The move to introduce social entrepreneurship project into the Direct Support Programme was to encourage start-ups to integrate sustainability into their companies’ business units.
Participants at the workshop suggested that sustainability needs to be made simple and accessible for SMEs. Specialists suggested that companies must put sustainability into practice based on their own goals and priorities. “Business development must include application of sustainability principles to operations,” they proposed.
Speakers advocated that effecting sustainable business practices has become an organisational requirement to remain competitive in the local and global business environment.