Sustainability work has also risen to the center stage in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Regulation targeting large corporations, stakeholder expectations, and customer demands quickly ripple through entire value chains. From an SME entrepreneur’s perspective, the situation can feel confusing: how to keep up with the pace and what exactly is expected from my company? Read more
Sustainability has emerged as one of the central themes in business and has become an essential part of a company’s competitiveness and viability. For small and medium-sized enterprises, this development is both a challenge and an opportunity. The impact of sustainability efforts sets the direction and milestones also for SMEs’ responsibility work. Impact is the true measure of sustainability work. Without impact, sustainability remains superficial beautiful words that change nothing. For SMEs, which often have limited resources, emphasizing impact is particularly important. Read more
Many small business owners still view sustainability work as a cost or a branding gimmick, with at best a vague connection to the company’s financial success. However, research and real-world experience show otherwise: strategically implemented — and above all, measured — sustainability efforts are among the most effective ways to improve profitability, competitiveness, and resilience. Measuring sustainability is the key to identifying its financial impacts. The challenge is often that SMEs already carry out many responsible actions, but fail to recognize them as such — and do not measure their effects. Read more
The operating environment for SMEs is changing rapidly – legislation is evolving, stakeholder expectations are growing, and the competitive advantages related to sustainability are becoming increasingly evident. However, for many small and medium-sized enterprises, sustainability work may still appear as a fragmented whole without a clear roadmap. In this situation, the most important step is often to pause, assess the current state, and understand what sustainability really means for our company. A self-assessment of sustainability work is an effective tool for this purpose. Read more
Working life is in constant transformation. Just ten years ago, job advertisements emphasized flexibility, teamwork skills, and the ability to work with a variety of people. Since then, the focus has clearly shifted toward so-called “hard values” and individualism, where employees are expected to demonstrate stress tolerance, a sense of responsibility, and strong performance orientation. This shift presents new challenges for workplace dynamics and collaboration. Yet one factor continues to hold—and even grow in—importance as a foundation for organizational success, well-being, and responsibility: trust. Trust is essential for harnessing intangible assets. It enables risk-taking and commitment, and it enhances the effectiveness and productivity of communication and collaboration. Read more
In February 2025, the European Commission published the so-called Omnibus amendment proposal, introducing significant simplifications and clarifications to corporate sustainability reporting requirements. Although it is still a proposal awaiting approval by the European Parliament and the Council, it is already guiding how companies and experts prepare for the future. Sustainability reporting is changing – again. Read more
The European Union’s new VSME standard (Voluntary Standard for non-listed Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises) is intended for SMEs that are not subject to the CSRD directive but wish to report on their sustainability. The aim of the standard is to provide stakeholders with information on the company’s sustainability performance, as well as to improve internal sustainability management and access to finance. All of these goals sound promising, but unfortunately, the standard falls far short of the real needs of SMEs and their stakeholders. Read more
Sustainability is not just a buzzword – it's a way to build more sustainable and economically viable business. Many SMEs feel that sustainability is a game for large corporations, but in reality, SMEs have significant opportunities to develop their business through responsible actions. So how do you get started and ensure that your sustainability efforts deliver results? Here are six steps to sustainability work for SMEs – a pathway to building a more sustainable business. Read more
It is often said that employees are a company’s most important asset. I believe this is true, and that’s why employees should be engaged from the very beginning. From an engagement perspective, it is important that a new employee feels welcome and that the workplace has a positive atmosphere. Key tools for achieving this are proper orientation and an open, equal, and respectful work culture. High employee turnover is costly for a company, as training a new person always consumes resources. Read more
Sustainability is becoming an established part of business also for SMEs. The 2025 sustainability trends set clear directions for corporate sustainability efforts, which SMEs should prepare for—especially in light of tightening regulation, changing customer expectations, and technological advancement. Here are a few perspectives on sustainability trends and tips for SME sustainability work in 2025. Read more
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