Attitudes of a new generation – the millennials – is reshaping how companies interact with not only their customers, but their staff too.
Sustainability, green issues, charity, all of these are now becoming an essential component of a business in terms of how it’s viewed.
A report has shown that a third of consumers say they now choose to buy from brands they believe are doing social or environmental good.
While according to a 2015 Cone Communications Millennial CSR Study, more than 9-in-10 millennials would switch brands to one associated with a cause.
So with all this in mind, having a sustainable business travel plan in place can help companies in a number of ways, firstly by delivering real benefits to the environment, but also by enhancing their reputation with existing and prospective clients and employees alike.
When it comes to travel, the biggest issue is the carbon footprint. Every journey, no matter how small, has an impact.
So what can you do to bring about change?
Raising Awareness
As with all change in a company, education is key. Make staff aware in your travel policy that carbon footprint reduction is now officially part of the agenda. This will help keep them onboard if they’re asked to undertake a method of transport that they may not have been asked to use in the past.
Factor in the green options
As well as costing that journey – consider its environmental impact too. What is the ‘greenest’ travel option for that particular leg of the journey or stay? Might it be better to put a few of your people on a bus rather than give them individual taxicab rides? Will one, slightly longer flight suffice rather than two where they have to change?
Research your partners
Going green is a holistic endeavour because, after all, few companies stand alone. They’re part of an ecosystem and only by rationalising how they all work together can true-green change be driven.
If your company is making a commitment to the environment, it stands to reason that others are too, so find them and work with them.