Several of my clients have started asking about how I can help them address climate change in their business or about their changing supplier or government policies on climate change. Is this likely to be a long term issue that I need to know about?
If your clients are asking about it then, by
definition, it should be of concern to you. Climate change issues are so
pervasive that every business professional should be knowledgeable about the
issue and its impact on business. Regardless of what discipline or industry you
work in, climate change is already affecting how your clients run their
businesses and plan for its future.
If you are in human resources, higher fuel prices and congestion are leading to a growing demand for tele-working, which will require operational policies and procedures, new management skills, and new collaboration technology. If you are in transportation, weather will affect operations. If you are in banking or risk management, increasing storm intensity and frequency will alter your exposure and possible liabilities. If you are in facilities management, consider how your clients will need to alter heating and cooling across their facilities. If you are in hospitality, food prices affected by rising temperatures will affect your overall cost structure.
If you are in human resources, higher fuel prices and congestion are leading to a growing demand for tele-working, which will require operational policies and procedures, new management skills, and new collaboration technology. If you are in transportation, weather will affect operations. If you are in banking or risk management, increasing storm intensity and frequency will alter your exposure and possible liabilities. If you are in facilities management, consider how your clients will need to alter heating and cooling across their facilities. If you are in hospitality, food prices affected by rising temperatures will affect your overall cost structure.
If you specialize in
corporate governance, a range of new state, federal and international
regulations are coming, knowledge about which you need to be ahead of your
clients. As a business professional, your failure to advise company management
and clients of potential criminal liabilities they face relative to
environmental regulatory compliance will not go over very well. Finally,
employees want to work for, and other companies in the supply chain want to
work with, green companies.
Climate change is a complex issue but don't get caught up in the political debate and forget that the impacts on business have been significant and increasing for more than a decade. Learn about the interrelated impacts on food supplies, water resources, energy costs, risk management, required retraining and corporate strategy and governance.
This
issue pervades everything a company does and you need to be regularly reading
up on its impact on business. For a good fast primer on the issues your clients
face from climate change, see a recent Pew Trusts report.Climate change is a complex issue but don't get caught up in the political debate and forget that the impacts on business have been significant and increasing for more than a decade. Learn about the interrelated impacts on food supplies, water resources, energy costs, risk management, required retraining and corporate strategy and governance.
Regards,
George F. Mancuso, CPC, CEO
Client Growth Consultants, Inc.
Client Growth Consultants, Inc.
