Finance Monthly. Business 30 goods, services or advice, embodies your organisation’s sustainability ethos. By way of an example, professional consulting firms should be offering their clients insight into how the proffered advice could be augmented to make the outcomes more sustainable or future-proofed for foreseeable climate change impacts. How do Multiverse Consultants assist clients in balancing profitability with ESG responsibilities? The key issue is helping clients understand that profitability is a short-term perspective while thriving in the changing world is a longer-term imperative for shareholders and stakeholders. What an organisation may lose in short-term profitability it will make up and recover in longerterm performance and efficiency gains. We help clients understand and make room for decisions that are longer-term rather than short. Part of this process is openly and transparently engaging with the Board of Directors, shareholders, and stakeholders to build trust and explain how the long-term plans will ensure future success. Trust is fundamental to ensuring reputation and brand value. How do you approach executives needing clarification or support to integrate executive coaching strategies? We simply listen. All journeys and relationships start with deeply listening to each other’s backgrounds and contexts as a first step to building a shared reality. I do not have a preconceived outcome or expectation for these first sessions. What I hope will emerge is mutual trust and respect and a commitment to addressing, in an open, honest and collaborative manner, whatever may arise. What I propose is that we establish a professional partnership where we support each other in delivering the organisation’s ESG goals. I bring the sustainability content knowledge, hold a safe space for challenge and reflection, while the executive brings their organisational culture and understanding so that together we innovate and create practical ideas and opportunities. How does your background in mechanical engineering help inform your work as an executive coach? My engineering background enables me to understand at an operational level how things are made and how businesses function. I have a deep and technical understanding of, for example, how carbon emission reduction plans need to be developed and implemented. My understanding is of an industrial nature, which is exceedingly useful as compared to an ecological or environmental science background. Secondly, coaching is quite emergent and complex, requiring lateral vision and spaciousness, which can lead to a lack of structure and focus. My engineering nature grounds my approach and brings the sessions back to actions and plans. Do you foresee any potential challenges or pitfalls for companies superficially adopting ESG for branding or image rather than genuine commitment? There is a very old saying; “the truth will out”. Attempting to short-circuit or greenwash an organisation’s ESG image will (as has been seen repeatedly) lead to the product and services being rejected by the customers when they come to understand the actual underlying facts. My advice to organisations is to put all that effort and energy into understanding and preparing their organisations for the environmental and social opportunities that are emerging all the time. For further information or to discuss your ESG journey, please email michael@Multiverseconsultants.co.uk
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