b'20 Partner News Autumn 2022EnterpriseInvesting in technology improves staff and emissions efficiency. Matterport, for example, creates a digital twin of an environment, reducing the need for travel.2. Serving the communityCommunities can be improved by giving people the resources to shape their local area. The UK Governments Social Value Model and National TOMS Framework are great starting points for tracking spend within the local economy, and mitigating carbon. As a benchmark, SDS additionally pledges 1% of turnover to support local charities and communities, as well as time and pro-bono designs. It spent 860 hours volunteering last year and won the Social Value Portals SME Organisational Leadership Award 2022.3. Business operations for longevityThe internal landscape of your business says a lot about its values, and best practice can be as little as buying Fairtrade coffee to non-financial reporting. Four ways toSDS employ twice the industry standard of females, and businesses inclusive of gender are 25% more likely to outperform their make your SMEpeers, according to a recent study. Introducing initiatives like a wellbeing programme, cycle-to-work scheme and mental health first aid, gives staff the tools to thrive. By offering these, SDS noted a sustainable remarkable 35% decrease in sick leave compared to the previous year. 4. Training for the futureAccording to a study by Edelman and LinkedIn, 54% of decision makers purchased a different service from an organisation after consuming its thought leadership. Sharing Sustainability is not just about protectingunderstanding of what is truly sustainableknowledge builds the future, and theres a the environment, its about protecting theand captured this within the companymultitude of outlets to facilitate it. future, and introducing measures to makevalues. We have used company profit to your small to medium enterprise (SME)drive innovation, provide business growth,Your workforce is first in line, from extra sustainable can deliver unmatched results.develop staff and create job opportunities. training to granting study leave for degrees. Recently, an SDS employee was recognised Services Design Solution (SDS) is a1. Embedding sustainability regionally as a 30 under 30 winner after sustainability and building serviceswithin your service writing an exemplary dissertation on engineering consultancy, serving the SouthEmploying specialists, like buildingsustainable engineering. Another became West of England, Wales and making footprintsphysicists, will integrate sustainabilityBuilding Plymouths Technical Apprentice ofthe non-carbon kindin the South East. into your services. After training BREEAMthe Year after joining from a work experience assessors and CIBSE low carbonplacement. Theres true power in working Since forming in 2004, its grown toconsultants, SDS advised on severalwith education providers to develop the next achieve an impressive 5.6m turnover andaccredited facilities including Hayle Marinegeneration. was recognised this year by the QueensRenewablesa zero carbon business park. Award for Enterprise in SustainableOr why not sign the UKs Building ServicesSo why not take sustainable action? You Development. Managing Director, ShaunEngineers Climate & Biodiversity Emergencymight make a positive impact on one persons Hoppins, said: Weve gained a broaderDeclaration?future, or a whole industries.'