How technology can support your social sustainability ambitions
While we’re seeing more organisations consider their strategy or business model with a real focus on ESG metrics - environmental, social and governance - it’s often the ‘S’ that is the most overlooked aspect of sustainability.
Social sustainability encompasses initiatives that address social issues such as diversity, inclusion, community engagement, and employee well-being, alongside environmental and economic considerations.
Not-for-profits (NFPs) and SMEs are well-positioned to leverage technology and IT solutions to drive positive social impact while also enhancing their own operations. Here’s more on how technology is supporting social sustainability efforts.
Improving accessibility and inclusivity
Accessibility is about ensuring that products, services, and opportunities are available equitably. Internal digital communication tools (like Teams or Slack) enable businesses to accommodate diverse communication needs and preferences, and with intentional use can play a part in fostering a sense of workplace belonging and connection. Specially designed hardware and software is also available to meet employee accessibility requirements. Increasingly, digital tools are being used to remove biases in recruitment processes, facilitate virtual meetings for remote employees, and provide training modules on cultural awareness.
Supporting remote work, flexibility and employee wellbeing
While there are increased efforts around a ‘return to office’, it’s important to recognise that remote or hybrid work isn’t just about personal schedule flexibility. For some, working remotely enables them to re-enter the workforce while still prioritising other lifestyle goals or demands (for example, care duties or parental responsibilities). It removes common barriers for people with disabilities, such as transportation, sensory overload or a lack of control over their physical working environment. By continuing to embrace remote and hybrid work, businesses can attract top talent regardless of location, reduce their carbon footprint, and promote a healthier work-life balance for employees.
We’ve also shared more on how to foster healthier workplace connectivity in this previous article on digital wellbeing.
Fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration
Collaboration is essential for driving social sustainability initiatives forward. Online communities, industry forums, and collaborative platforms provide spaces for like-minded businesses to exchange ideas and best practice, pool resources, forge partnerships, and collectively work towards shared goals.
Streamlining operations for efficiency
The right technology choices are critical for impact-driven businesses and NFPs in order to maximise their social impact when operating with limited (financial and human) resources. Cloud technology in particular creates connected, accessible and collaborative automated workflows with minimal overhead. From inventory management systems to cloud-based collaboration tools, these digital solutions automate tedious tasks, reduce hardware and server costs, and free up time for customers and community engagement.
Here’s more on how NFPs can use technology to grow or improve their impact through smart technology use.
Empowering measurement for intentional change
Whether it's leveraging data analytics to improve energy efficiency or using tools to track and trace supply chains to ensure transparency and accountability, digital platforms enable the visibility needed to continue to make positive change. With this information, businesses can make better choices around procurement strategies with the right suppliers, or understand where they can focus employee education or upskilling efforts.
The right tech can enable the processes, structures and relationships that support equitable, inclusive and resilient workplaces and contribute to the well-being of their employees and the communities they are a part of. Our IT strategies consider the whole picture: innovation, efficiency, security and sustainable growth. If you’re curious about how technology could help you meet your own social sustainability efforts, reach out to us to learn more.