Käkikuu Blog

Käkikuu Vastuullisuustyön kuusi askelta

Six Steps to SME Sustainability Work

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

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
perehdytys on osa yrityksen vastuullisuustyötä

Orientation and a Positive Work Atmosphere as Part of the Company’s Sustainability Work

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

By Maren Heijari, ago
Yritysvastuu, vastuullisuustyö, CSRD, ESRS, ESG, vastuullisuustrendit

Sustainability Trends for 2025 – What Should SMEs Know?

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

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
CSRD-direktiivin vaikutukset pk-yrityksiin

The CSRD Directive as a Support for SMEs’ Sustainability Work: An Opportunity for Strategic Planning and Impact

The CSRD Directive (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and the broader corporate sustainability reporting requirements it brings have sparked discussion in the business world. Although the CSRD and its ESRS standards (European Sustainability Reporting Standards) do not directly apply to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), their impact extends to the SME sector as well. As large companies and publicly listed firms report Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
yritysvastuu, uudet teknologiat

The Future of Sustainability Work: How Emerging Technologies Are Transforming SME Operations

New technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) are set to revolutionize sustainability work across companies of all sizes in the coming years. But how will these emerging technologies transform sustainability efforts in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and on what timeline can we expect these developments to become more widespread? Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
yritysvastuu, vastuullisuus, innovaatio, teknologia

Technological Innovations as Drivers of Sustainability in SMEs

SMEs play a crucial role in advancing sustainable development and sustainability efforts, even though their resources and expertise may be limited. Technological innovations offer new tools that can help small and medium-sized enterprises monitor, reduce, and report their environmental impacts more effectively than ever before. Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain technology are examples of innovations that enable the advancement of responsible business practices in SMEs. Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
kestävyysraportointi, vastuullisuusraportti

The New Era of Sustainability Reporting for SMEs

Sustainability reporting has become an increasingly central part of business operations. While large companies have long been expected to report on their activities related to the environment, social issues, and governance (ESG), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will soon have their own voluntary sustainability reporting guideline, the VSME (Voluntary Standard for non-listed Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises). This guideline provides SMEs with a Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
Yrityksen vastuullisuustyön strateginen johtaminen

Strategic Management of a Company’s Sustainability Work

A company’s sustainability work, at its best, is comprehensive, strategic, and impactful actions that integrate ethical, economic, social, and environmental considerations into the core of its business. It goes beyond mere compliance with laws and regulations and becomes proactive and innovative work that creates value for the company, its stakeholders, and society. Strategic management of sustainability work is key to ensuring the company’s long-term success and sustainable development. Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
yritysvastuu, sidosryhmätyö

The Human Element at the Core of Stakeholder Engagement in SME Sustainability Efforts

In SMEs, sustainability efforts are a broad and multifaceted process that requires careful planning and precise resource management. A key part of this work is stakeholder engagement, which forms the foundation for the company's sustainable and impactful business development. Identifying, analyzing, and actively engaging with stakeholders are crucial in creating long-term value for the company and its stakeholders. Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
Viherpesu, Green Claim, yritysvastuu, vastuullisuus

Key Content of the EU Green Claims Directive and Its Impacts on Consumers and SMEs

With the Green Claims Directive approved by the European Parliament in February 2024, the EU aims to put an end to greenwashing and provide consumers with more reliable information about the sustainability and environmental friendliness of products. Greenwashing refers to the practice of misleading consumers into believing that a product or service is more environmentally friendly than it actually is. The directive seeks to ensure that consumers can make informed, environmentally conscious choices when purchasing products and services. Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
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