Interface and the 4 guiding principles of sustainable business model innovation (11am seminar) by Li Shi Tan

Principle 1: Sustainability orientation

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Think about the basic ideas of sustainability, principles and practical plans which the company refer to

Principle 2: Extended value chain

lsjacetan — 2024-02-15 19:06:51 UTC

Think about how they aim to generate value for both market and non-market actors in monetary and non-monetary terms

Principle 3: Systemic thinking

lsjacetan — 2024-02-15 19:06:51 UTC

Think about the holistic approaches that the managers took; how they try to integrate external resources and knowledge into internal resources

Principle 4: stakeholder integration

lsjacetan — 2024-02-15 19:06:51 UTC

Think about how the company considers the interests and needs of its stakeholders

The company's holistic approach involved engaging with external knowledge and resources, such as assembling a "dream team" of external experts on sustainability and adopting The Natural Step framework to guide corporate decision-making towards sustainability. The company also made a commitment to reward employees for integrating the ressources given to them through a training program and a bonus system

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Interface are determined to reduce/remove waste in all its forms. This includes through production chains and after consumption. They have two schemes: the recycle-buy scheme that targets waste from consumption and Quest/Ecosense2000 that seeks to remove waste from nonrenewable energy sources.

Interface actively used schemes to reduce their impact on the environment. One example of this is the QUEST waste management scheme where they aimed to eliminate all forms of waste. They aligned employee compensation with these aims.

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Interface generate value for the employees by giving them goals to achieve to receive bonuses.

There is a clear focus from management on sustainability that generates a team effort to achieve their goals.

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Employee Incentive Plan
Comparative Advantage
- Company believe by marketing themselves as sustainable they can gain comparative advantage on other businesses
First company to commit to 'Natural Step'
- Guides companies to make corporate decisions focused on being sustainable.
QUEST Waste Elimination Plan
- Aim to eliminate all forms of waste suggest moving towards a circular economy.

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Material consumption reduction still allowed the company to improve the products’ performance, as well as focus on their sustainability
Growth program called play to win motivated employees to make a chance and work together as a team benefiting company sustainability
Employee motivation and morale improved, as it was showed by the inclusion of the company in 100 Fortune’s list. Moreover, this was the result of the fact that the company explained in details its sustainability goals, engaging the employees in the process
QUEST initiative to engage internal stakeholders