Sabrina's Multiverse

Short-term profit is more urgent than climate change

Mon, 27 May 2024 23:00:05 -0700

Short-term profit is more urgent than Climate Change. I have said the quiet part out loud.

This litmus test only applies ‘if’ and only ‘if’ you are an SME. Business Sustainability requires viable financial, natural, and social resources. If an SME is not profitable, all resources should be allocated to getting the business back to financial health without damaging society environmentally or socially. The two aren’t mutually exclusive but I can understand the position of the leadership team in these circumstances for SMEs.

However, profitability or the lack thereof is not and should not be applied to large entities or multinational corporations because companies that size may not be making a profit but have the resources to be sustainable.

Uber is a perfect example of this. It took Uber 14 years to make a profit. Would that mean that during this period, Uber should implement sustainability strategically? Absolutely not.

Sustainability should not take over the strategic agenda; it should be integrated into the strategy to enhance business performance.

If you would like to understand how you can integrate sustainability to enhance your business performance, message me.

Doing more with less, former billionare, Yvon Chouinard

Tue, 07 May 2024 23:00:27 -0700

“I was in Forbes magazine listed as a billionaire, which really, really pissed me off,” Yvon Chouinard, Founder, Patagon

The remarks from Chouinard aren’t what we usually see. Typically, well-crafted messages on company pages, LinkedIn or social media about “delight” and “honour” combined with a personal story of resilience. That is the playbook. However, Chouinard has written his own playbook from the beginning.

In 2023, when Patagonia took over the news and business cycle with a singular act of the Chouinard family giving away their ownership shares to a trust to be managed by a Foundation while being profitable, it was radical. I was impressed then but looked forward to now.

What does a former billionaire do with their time when they give away their money to save the planet?

In the case of Chouinard, more with less.

When Chouinard pulled a social immobility, Patagonia became the most reputable brand in the US. Chouinard maintained his “Don of the Dirtbag” status.

Chouinard spends his time quietly (visiting and working in the blacksmith shed vital to Patagonia’s growth, which is now a historical site) and impactfully (to date,...Read More

Manchester United wins Green Football Weekend

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 23:00:24 -0700

Since it wasn’t going to the Premiere League, I am glad we won the 2024 Green Football Weekend

The Green Football Weekend is a two-year-old initiative that mobilises fans, clubs, players, etc., to join the big football campaign to tackle climate change.

Each green activity has points allocated to them for green transportation, eating green and hosting environmentally friendly games. Taking home the prize, Manchester United, thanks to its younger fans who opt for eco-friendly transportation and lifestyle.

An honourable mention to Brentford Football Club, which surveys its fans about sustainability. 8.1 (out of 10) Brentford fans think sustainability is important. It is encouraging to see a club getting insights for action.

Executive and Egineers at odds with AI and Sustainability

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 23:00:16 -0700

What happens when Executives and Engineers are at odds with AI and sustainability?

TE Connectivity launched its 2024 Industrial Technology Insights with a focus on AI and sustainability. I like TE's approach because it surveys Executives and Engineers, so you get a sense of what leaders think and what the people say.

There are several insights but there are three that stood out for me. First, sustainability attracts talent; 70% of engineers say they seek out jobs that support climate change solutions. Second, 34% of engineer talent will leave their job if their company does not provide opportunities to support sustainability as part of company culture. When it comes to meeting sustainability goals, Executives and Engineers are at odds. 69% of Executives feel engineers lack innovation, while 72% of Engineers feel there is a lack of direction from senior leaders.

I am with the engineers on this one. How can they innovate if there isn’t a clear direction of where the organisation is going or the sustainability problem they are solving for their organisation? It could be the Executive don’t know or don’t care; either way, leaders set the tone.

Midas secures $45m in record deal

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 07:44:01 -0700

Midas has raised a record-breaking $45 in their Series A round, just three years into its formation.

What are they offering?
Lower trading rates for retail Turkish investors investing in Turkish and US equities.

Why is this significant?
Turkey is considered an emerging market. Fees have been a barrier to access for retail investors, but Midas removes this barrier (social sustainability). The $45m also enables Midas to scale operations across other emerging markets, which will have record investments for retail investors who have the means and now have the avenue (economic sustainability).

The story writes itself.

Hein Schumacher, CEO of Unilever

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 02:43:35 -0700

It is good to know that Hein Schumacher, CEO of Unilever, is in lockstep with my approach to sustainability, that it must be integrated in business performance.

Schumacher recently announced Unilever's new approach to sustainability, and he describes their third era of sustainability as " accelerating delivery, with greater impact, by making sustainability progress integral to business performance." I am glad this approach is clear, as comments earlier from when Schumacher took the helm suggested Unilever was moonwalking on sustainability.

Schumacher's emphasis on Unilever's need to concentrate more on its sustainability approach and allocate resources accordingly is a strategic move. It's a recognition of the pitfalls some organisations face-you can't be all things to all people. Unilever's focus is now climate, nature, plastics, and livelihoods. Their commitment to driving progress through its supply chain and using its voice 'forcefully' to enact systematic change clearly indicates its decisive action and expectations. Dear Supplier, we are in for a ride.

Unilever's new approach is my company, Build Global business as usual. Business sustainability is our area of expertise, and we focus on the supply chain. I am glad the industry is catching up to where we are.

If you want to understand how to drive sustainability in your company that integrates business performance, PM me. It's always been our era.

UN Women UK Delegate

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 05:28:53 -0700

I was honoured to be a UN Women UK Delegate for the Convention of the Status of Women (CSW68) in March.

I am delighted to share my reflections from the session with my new publication, Sarbinaverse.

🚨Trigger Warning🚨 sensitive topics are addressed. Reader discretion is advised.

You can access my reflection here.

How did I get from four suitcases to the boardroom

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:45:33 -0700

It was an honour to be a guest on Daniel Coker 's Against All Odds Podcast. Our conversation delved into the context of my story, my heritage and identity, my unconventional approach to business, and why I believe impact should be the true measure of success.

I came back to London without a job, network, or community and built everything from the bottom up, and I am still building against all odds.

Listen to the interview here.

What happened to Blockchain?

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 02:27:30 -0700

The corporate buzzword now and in the future is AI. Companies lock on to a trend, and everything before it seems to disappear. Remember when everything was about Blockchain? So where is Blockchain?

Blockchain didn't disappear as quickly as Don Lemon's contract with X; it is still here and more important than ever because of the use of AI.

Blockchain is fundamental because it captures data and enables decentralized finance, two areas where AI is disrupting.

Blockchain eliminates middlemen (even if the middleman is AI) and is fundamental for social and economic sustainability.

The media and company hype around Blockchain may have moved on, but we shouldn't.

Coach Dawn Staley

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 03:28:54 -0700

Coach Dawn Staley had a perfect season with the Gamecocks winning the NCAA title and made history as the first Black woman coach to win three NCAA titles. She deserves all of her flowers 🌺 🌺

I am a heavy weight boxing fan, I like my warriors. The excellence, passion and skills of these warrior athletes that left everything on the court has been unmatched and record breaking. I am here for it all.