Sustainability is everywhere these days. The art of doing business is increasingly dependent on society's support for the company’s activities and its ability to make use of circular processes instead of linear processes. To effectuate this, management has to realise (short-term) economic profit, serve people inside and outside the company without any negative side effects for the environment (planet).

It is this type of corporate sustainability that will lead to the strongest companies harnessed against recession while delivering true added value. The end is nigh, but sustainability is the solution. Challenges ahead are greater than just coping with laws and recycle waste.

Management of sustainable companies typically face a lot of questions:

• How sustainable are we, and can we be?
• What do clients and employees expect from us?
• How do profit, growth and competition fit into this?
• How can we profit from corporate sustainability?
• On which initiatives are our competitors working?
• Which changes are needed in our own organization?
• How far do we need to go?

It often seems more attractive to be sceptical, sit back and do nothing:

• "Greenhouse effect? There's no scientific agreement on that, isn’t it?"
• "Water shortage? The icecaps are melting, right?"
• "Peak oil? Let's use up all reserves; the faster an alternative is provided"
• "The environment? Market research shows my clients don’t care"

These questions and opinions were a reason for Nolan, Norton & Co. to develop a Sustainability Scan. In a short timeframe the Sustainability Scan will provide you with an accurate view of the current state and potential for corporate sustainability within your company and its environment. This will be a solid foundation for the development of a sustainability Strategy for your company.