If you've never heard of the triple bottom line, Shame on you!... I mean, don't worry, you're probably not alone, (although if the government do their job properly, you should rapidly be becoming the minority!). It's a fancy term for the idea that businesses should focus on more than just profits. Instead, they should consider the impact they have on people and the planet too.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "People and the planet? That sounds like a hell of a lot of work." and trust me, having started to look at this for our business over the last month, it is no small task, but it's not all bad. In fact, its early days, but so far its been bloody interesting, educational and good fun to boot!
Let's start with people. People are the most important part of any business. They're diverse, interesting, and bring all sorts of different perspectives to the table, especially true in the creative industry! If you treat them well, they’ll work harder and produce more profit. Plus happy employees means less turnover, which saves you money on hiring and training! Win-win.
Next up, we have the planet. I think we all know the importance here and that we are rapidly running out of time. It’s true that without dramatic action in the next couple of decades, we are unlikely to keep global warming in this century below 1.5° Celsius compared to pre-industrial temperatures—a threshold that experts say offers a lower risk of serious negative impacts. But the more we overshoot that threshold, the more serious and widespread the negative impacts will be, which means that it is never “too late” to take action. By prioritizing the planet, businesses can not only wake up to the impact they are having today (a real eye-opener!) but can then seek ways to reduce their environmental impact, which is not only good for the planet but can also benefit the bottom line. After all, saving energy and resources saves money too right! Another win-win.
So, the triple bottom line might sound intimidating, time-consuming and even a financial burden, but it's not and it doesn’t have to be. By focussing on People and the planet as well as the numbers, you can unearth all the little things (marginal gains!) that, when combined, can make a positive impact for everyone involved, which in turn can actually result in increased profit!
Win-Win-Win.
The best advice I’ve heard this year…. Don’t wait to do something!