Incorporating Sustainability-By-Design: A Key Aspect of Thriving Digital Transformation
In today’s business landscape, integrating a robust and trustworthy sustainability approach into a company’s overall strategy has become paramount. This awareness is widely recognized among enterprises. According to a global survey conducted by Software AG, a staggering 95% of companies view sustainability as a top or high priority. However, a puzzling trend emerges – 84% of these companies acknowledge that when confronted with challenges, sustainability tends to take a backseat, overshadowed by commercial objectives. This paradox persists even when digital transformation remains a focal point, regardless of economic fluctuations.
While it’s accurate that concentrating on digital transformation during lean economic periods enhances an organization’s resilience, both in the present and potential future crises, the fact remains that sustainability and digital transformation are profoundly intertwined. Business leaders must approach their strategic planning with this realization, as emphasized by Sanjay Brahmawar, CEO of Software AG.
Brahmawar states, “Investments in digital transformation inherently lead to enhanced operational efficiency. This efficiency, in turn, empowers companies to establish stronger differentiation and deliver greater value to their clientele. The predicament lies in the misconception that 84% of businesses still perceive digital and sustainability transformations as separate endeavors.”
Prioritizing Sustainability: A Necessity, Not an Afterthought
The relationship between top-line sales and a reputable sustainability policy is robust. In the context of B2B interactions, enterprises prefer to engage with organizations that earnestly embrace sustainability. A remarkable 97% of respondents express that a company’s sustainability credentials significantly influence their purchasing decisions. Similarly, these credentials impact whether a product is chosen for purchase.
Furthermore, Brahmawar underscores, “Sustainability plays a pivotal role in shaping a company’s value propositions for customers, and it reverberates within their own workforce. Sustainability initiatives profoundly impact various dimensions of every employee’s role, providing them with firsthand experience of the advantages.”
In essence, bridging the gap between sustainability and digital transformation is not just a strategy but an imperative for businesses aiming to thrive in the modern landscape. It’s a realization that unifying these two forces brings about enhanced resilience, better customer engagement, and a more dedicated workforce.