Swiss Impact Forum 2024

Last November, the Swiss Impact Forum took place in Bern. Organised by B Lab Switzerland, this event brings together each year stakeholders from the private sector in Switzerland who are committed to the ecological transition, with the aim of promoting a fair, inclusive and regenerative economy. Inovacomm took part in this event for the second consecutive year and is sharing with you the best practices gathered from the workshops and discussions held throughout the day.

Workshop 1: How to activate sustainability throughout the value chain?

Sahra, Purchasing Manager, attended this workshop focused on sustainability throughout the value chain. Here are the main takeaways she identified:

• Adopt a pragmatic approach: adapt to the size and needs of the company.

• Rely on recognised platforms: use tools such as those provided by B Lab, for example, when selecting suppliers.

• Collaborate with suppliers: implement a dual assessment of materials with their active contribution.

Sahra also recommends the Agenda 2030 Toolbox, which offers practical tools to help companies achieve their sustainability goals.

 Workshop 2: The role of leadership in shaping organisational culture.

Joëlle, also a Purchasing Manager, participated in this workshop on the importance of leadership in organisational culture. She shares her key takeaways:

• Clear vision and mission: define a clear direction and explicit objectives to engage the team around the company’s purpose.

• Empowerment and inclusivity: encourage collaboration and innovation through an open environment, constructive feedback and regular recognition.

• Well-being at work: promote a healthy work-life balance to create a sustainable working environment.

Workshop 3: Transparent communication in a rapidly evolving environment.

This workshop focused on communication as part of sustainability efforts. Joëlle highlighted the following takeaways:

• Authenticity and measurable data: truthful, data-backed narratives strengthen credibility and help avoid greenwashing.

• Openness about challenges: share obstacles and failures to remain authentic.

• Clarity and relevance: balanced and concise messages make it possible to inform without overwhelming.

Workshop 4: Strategy for aligning business purpose with social impact.

Camille, CSR Manager, attended this workshop and highlighted the following points:

• Committed leadership: without strong involvement from management, efforts may weaken during times of crisis.

• Key stakeholders: carefully select partners to build a robust and sustainable strategy.

• Revenue and performance: basing revenue solely on performance may be incompatible with a social impact strategy (example: Alternative Bank).

Workshop 5: From linearity to circularity: Transitioning towards a circular economy model.

This workshop explored the challenges of transitioning towards a circular economy. Camille identified two key points:

1. Gradual change: consumption habits are difficult to change and require in-depth analysis.

2. Step-by-step approach: start by testing a small range of products.

The Inovacomm team hopes that these various key takeaways will inspire you and provide concrete ideas for integrating greater sustainability into our activities and collaborations. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to learn more or discuss these topics!