They say that knowledge is power and only by raising awareness around ESG issues can we meet our sustainability goals. Consultancy Wydle Connections has run a workshop to help managers across The P & M Group understand the impact we have on people and planet, equipping them with the information they need to deliver positive interventions and providing an environment that expands their thinking.
In April the Wylde team ran a Sustainability Awareness for Managers training programme for 37 of our staff. The workshop sessions covered a range of topics including understanding the fundamentals of sustainability, exploring leadership, stewardship and culture in a sustainable context, and how to mitigate risks and capitalise on opportunities.
We have been working with Wylde for the last two years in developing our sustainability strategy Project Acorn and its consultants have an in depth understanding of our business and the challenges we face. We identified a need to deliver sustainability training in order to ensure that everyone in the business has the know how and tools they need to help implement our strategy in their specialist area. We want to empower our teams to take action through giving them the knowledge and confidence to talk about sustainability to our stakeholders.
The first stage of that work involved a one day workshop in which Wylde’s team of experienced consultants engaged with our managers and leaders to raise awareness and help embed best practice. During the day they used simulated gameplay, case studies and group discussions to improve understanding and inspire managers to take the lead as sustainability champions. The group of 37 was split in two so that greater participation and engagement could take place. Participants also had
the opportunity to complete online training modules aimed at helping them get to grips with the wider sustainability agenda.
P & M’s Group Sustainability Manager Joanne Swift said: “The workshops were a great success. Educating the workforce about sustainability issues and what we can do as a business to address them is a top priority. One of the most valuable parts of the training was using our own business as a case study for the exercises and taking time to focus on what we can do to build resilience and boost competitiveness by balancing the needs of people and planet.”
Staff were asked to write on sticky notes to share what they planned to do as a result of taking part in the training. Responses included “reduce reuse recycle”, “leave the world in a better place for future generations”, “ensuring that sustainability forms part of considerations during procurement” and “creating something with minimum impact on the environment whilst still creating value.”
Nathan Owen, Estimating Manager at ISD Solutions, said: “The training was really valuable. It was well presented and although sustainability can be a complex topic to discuss, it was presented in a way that was both accessible and engaging.”
P & M now plans to extend this awareness raising beyond managers and we have just begun a trial of Stickerbook, a platform to engage colleagues in the often complex world of sustainability. Users compete by earning stickers through watching short videos and answering questions to demonstrate their understanding. If the trial is successful, it will be rolled out across the workforce. Read our next blog to find out more.