D is for Data Transparency.

Data has the power to transform industries and markets, and these insights are just as powerful for your SME. Data Transparency tells your objectives in a few manners, and that includes how you want your SME to play in the trust market.

How? And to what end? This, and much more is answered, in this episode.

I hope you enjoy Episode 4👌🏾

C also means that it’s time to calculate your SME’s carbon footprint, so let’s do it.

Carbon footprint is where the numbers matter, and if you’re doing it right, your goal is to calculate and cut it. And in this episode, we show you how to do it, and couple it with a resource as well. This, and much more is answered, in this episode.

I hope you enjoy Episode 3👌🏾

𝗕 is for 𝗕-𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

How can you create a more inclusive, equitable, and fair economic system within your SME? B is for B-Corp Certification, and this is a certification where points really matter, but the impact, even more. This, and much more is answered, in this episode.

I hope you enjoy Episode 2👌🏾

A is for Accountability.

ESG for your SME is a strategic asset that holds you accountable to how you do business. It is an asset that can be used to create a blueprint for an equitable future for people, planet, profit and partnerships.

Why SMEs can’t afford to ignore ESG? This, and much more is answered, in this episode.

I hope you enjoy Episode 1👌🏾     

ONE DAY to ESG for SMEs from A - Z!

Tomorrow, the season premier of ESG for SMEs from A - Z goes live at 10h00 (GMT+2).

26 letters.

26 episodes.

26 weeks.

26 ESG concepts, actionable insight tailored for small businesses.

And 26 opportunities to optimize the utility of ESG for your SME - one letter at a time!

As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, former UNCTAD Acting Secretary-General Isabelle Durant said: “Businesses and consumers that were able to ‘go digital’ have helped mitigate the economic downturn caused by the pandemic."

But what about the future of e-trade, and its net contribution to people, planet and profit? In the final episode of the season, we explore how to achieve a  sustainable e-commerce future through ESG. This, and much more is answered, in this episode. 

Enjoy!

Art and ESG have not only 3 letters in common, but also a means of mutual relationship that can benefit investments, society and the environment. 

In this artistically sustainable podcast episode, we share the ways in which you can engage ESG as a solo artist, a gallery or even an SME to unlock a sustainability mindset and turn it into action. This, and much more is answered, in this episode.  

Enjoy!

Today’s episode covers the professional services industry, which has always prided itself in being customer-centric, and its advisory services, sharply taken the opportunity to embolden its customers through ESG and Impact.

We unpack some primary thematic concerns that ESG can address in your SME through thoughtful and explicit strategies and policies. This, and much more is answered, in this episode.

Enjoy!

What is the name of the game for ESG in sports?

Sports’ societal impact is hard to ignore. From crazy fan fairs to the emotive results of games and even topical discussions to hosts of World Cup tournaments and the importance of inclusivity.

It’s clear that fans care, but so do investors and partners. What value can an ESG strategy bring value to your business? This, and much more is answered, in this episode.
 
Enjoy!

The world of business, NPOs, SMEs and the public sector is intimately with a urgent pace connecting to the just transition era and ultimately the transformation of how we consume, practice and engage with energy across various touchpoints of our businesses.

So what steps can be taken to ensure a less bumpier ride into the ESG energy?

This episode unlocks frameworks and guides to identify ESG risks and embed them appropriately for success. This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

What is the size of the potential impact of an industry that positively stimulates the economy? In this episode we explore tourism.

United Nations World Tourism Organization has articulated that sustainable tourism should consider a few measures to consciously engage in the value add of not only your business, but the industry as well. 
 
 What frameworks and guidelines exist to engage ESG and specific disclosures.  This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
  
 Enjoy!

ESG doesn’t get more greener than agriculture.

Agriculture is intertwined in multiple aspects of ESG. Responsible farming engages finance to legal as well as many other industries, to ensure its sustainability and systems.

How does your SME engage and act on ESG utility for its development? This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.

Enjoy!

So, you’ve heard about coding, but have you heard about green coding? If you are the founder of and manage a coding academy or a coding bootcamp and you want to integrate an ESG strategy, then this episode is for you.

In this episode, we angle computing practices and principles that can help your coding academy. This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

In this episode, we explore how technology, sustainable technology is an essential contribution to the success of ESG.

An ESG strategy whether the E, S or G component needs to be executed, and digital technology thrives in being the perfect implementation partner.  In this micro-podcasts, we share examples of such tools and strategies being implemented across various industries. This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the global digital divide; from access to education to skills-based training, and this, particularly in underserved and minority regions.

What does your ESG strategy say, about how you are influencing the mindset of the next generation of future leaders?

In this episode, we engage with questions and recommendations so that you know the ESG make up of your SME. This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

Over the next two minutes, the ESG focus is on the finance industry.

Finance is constantly innovating, is one of the industries that are and have to be customer centric and is a constant cat and mouse chase between innovator and regulator, where the roles changes on who not only innovates ate fastest but gets to market first.

This episode shed light as an excellent guide to engage ESG and specific disclosures.  This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

Let’s talk beauty!

Beauty is an industry that I believe has really done well in taking strides in being environmentally conscious, inclusive, and regulating the industry, looking for people, profit and the planet.

In this episode, we engage with questions and recommendations so that you know the ESG make up of your SME. This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

Bloomberg Intelligence reports ESG by 2025 ESG assets are on track to exceed $50 trillion. And if anything, that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, it's that it's become more incumbent to achieve health equity, and having ESG investment with trillions of dollars wouldn’t hurt.

This episode explores the question of, how the organization, the SME its offering, and its stakeholders achieve heath equity using the tunnel of ESG?

 This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

In this episode, we create a path, a roadmap to the transport industry and its relationship with ESG.

Transportation is an industry that we undoubtedly use to get from A to B almost every day, and it is also one of the few industries that has gone out of its way to recognize its impact on the environment and thus innovate through the lens of sustainability.

But for SMEs in this industry, what can they do to find and act on ESG utility? This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

Is it a waste to ESG? It is N.O.T!

The waste management industry explicitly engages the E in ESG, but what about the S and the G?  What ESG strategies and resources can be engaged for this industry? This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

In today’s episode we’re asking the question of what legal has to do with ESG. The simple answer is that it’s not only the G, but the E and S as well.

There is an unprecedented sharp growth in the need for the services of ESG professionals in corporates amidst crises, scenario planning and transformative governance. And legal professionals are at the centre of it all.

This, and much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

Welcome to Season 2 of ESG for SMEs.

Season 2.
17 episodes. 
17 industries. 
1 ESG for SMEs in Action e-book.

The ESG for SMEs podcast goes live on 15 November 2023 at 10h00 (CAT) on your favourite streaming platforms. This podcast is hosted and executive produced by Innovation, and Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant, Vuyolwethu Dubese.

Welcome to Episode 17 of #ESGforSMEs .   

Today’s final episode of Season 1 of ESG for SMEs answers – Is ESG a scam?

Throughout this season of the podcast, we’ve engaged the what, the how, the why, the effect, the where, the who, the principles that form part of the ESG ecosystem.

In this episode, we discuss the  alluring idea of practice and what is requires from you, as a founder and the engagement effect for your SME.

Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 16 of #ESGforSMEs .  

In today's material episode, we answer the following questions:

1. What is materiality?
2. What issues, items and/or events are material and could affect in the long-term, the sustainability of your SME?
3. What can a Materiality Assessment be used for to incrementally improve and innovate in your SME?

Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 15 of #ESGforSMEs .

In today’s episode, we are unpacking the social DNA of an SME and how that affects its overall operations, vision and goals.

We also explore some of the considerations which make up social factors for your SME like Human Capital & Stakeholder Management and Reporting, and how to do it, aiding in the company’s decision making.

Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 14 of #ESGforSMEs .

The E is ESG is for Every Business to be environmentally conscious, not just a select few.

Climate change vulnerabilities and events disrupt supply chains and energy distribution like power cuts to mention a few, so it does affect your business, big or small, startup or SME.

How do you live in your business? And what are you doing to not only reduce your carbon footprint, but to monitor and evaluate it.

Listen to this episode for some tips.

Enjoy!

Welcome to the Episode 13 of #ESGforSMEs .

Today is all about making decisions as we are tackling the G in ESG and the reasons why you need it for your business.

Some of the reasons why a governance footprint is essential to a business, include the following as it affects:
1.  Compliance
2.  Business Ethics
3.  Leadership and People Management
4.  Strategic Direction

If you don’t know where to start, take a pretty good look at what leaders in your industry are doing and use that as a baseline guide.

The G in ESG is essential to creating an ESG baseline before you advance an efficient S and G.

Enjoy!

Welcome to the Episode 12 of #ESGforSMEs .
 
Today's episode is all about standards - ESG Standards.
 
What are these standards, and what purpose do they serve your organisation or SME in its impact on people, profit and planet? We also provide some examples of standards and the outcome that they can provide including how business impact society and how ESG impacts business.
 
Enjoy!

Welcome to the Episode 11 of #ESGforSMEs .
 
In today’s episode, we delve into the mind, the ESG minded entrepreneur/SME owner.
 
We understand that it means to be entrepreneurially minded, but what does it mean to be ESG minded? If you are not ESG minded, now is the perfect time to start.
 
This is what we unpack in Episode 11.
 
Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 10 #ESGforSMEs, where we everything is not as it seems.

Today, we’re talking about the cosmetics of ESG through profits, people and planet and as you're faking it as you make it (which we don't recommend) some terms that may come in handy in your ESG strategy planning.

This is not how to close the ESG data gap, it’s time to do the work.

Until the next episode when we unpack the hidden value of #ESGforSMEs, bye for now.

Welcome to the Episode 9 of #ESGforSMEs .
 
In Episode 1, we highlighted the 5 value creation opportunities that you can unlock through ESG for your SME.
 
Today’s episode answers this question: “Where to Start and Continue ESGing for my SME?”
 
I hope this was helpful.
 
Enjoy!

Welcome to the Episode 8 of #ESGforSMEs .
 
Grants are a great way to fund your SME, without mortgaging its future.
 
On today’s episode, we’re highlighting Grants for SMEs. We take a deep dive on what grants are and what's in it for the SME and the funder, as well as how to prepare for the type of investment and examples of the grants that SMEs can apply for.
 
Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 7 of #ESGforSMEs .
 
Development Finance Institutions like USAID, African Development Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Department for International Development and German Development Agency to mention a few exist, but what are they and how can they benefit SMEs in their pursuit for ESG-linked financing?
 
Have a listen and enjoy!

Welcome to the Episode 6 of #ESGforSMEs .

Today, we are uncovering Green or Climate Financing for SMES and we highlight:

In simple terms, Green or Climate Financing is any type of financing (from banking, micro-credit, insurance, and investment) from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to sustainable development priorities specifically targeted at tackling climate change, supporting environmentally friendly activities, and delivering greater accountability.

How do you qualify your SME for such investment?
What are the benefits?
Where are the opportunities?

We answer all these questions and more in this episode.

Enjoy!

Link to Green Funds https://buff.ly/3Dre6UK

Welcome to the Episode 5 of #ESGforSMEs .

Angel Investing - THIS is what we’re covering in today’s episode of #ESGforSMEs, continuing with our series of the kinds of funds and investing that are ESG-linked that your SME can apply for as it prepares for its sustainable transition to implement specific efforts aimed at enhancing its sustainability profile and performance.

The reality of (angel) investing stems from investing in sustainable businesses and the investors own data regarding the market and the founder(s) of startup.

Look out for the list of angel investing opportunities in the notes.

Enjoy!

PS: Some Angels for your SME https://lnkd.in/dvNimMbf

Welcome to the Episode 4 of #ESGforSMEs .

Today is all about how Gender-lens Funds and Investing, which are linked to the S and G of ESG - social and governance of your SME can contribute to the growth of your business.

How does ESG link to Gender-lens Funds and Investing and what can you do to prepare your SME for a $28 trillion dollar opportunity and the world’s largest emerging market?

Enjoy!

PS: Some GLI Funds for your SME https://bit.ly/womenfunds

Welcome to the Episode 3 of #ESGforSMEs .
 
In today’s episode, we are highlighting the kinds of funds and investing that are ESG-linked that your SME can apply for as it prepares for its sustainable transition to implement specific efforts aimed at enhancing their sustainability profile and performance.
 
These include Gender-Lens Funds and Green Funding to mention a few that we highlight in the episode. We also take a deeper dive in the next episodes.
 
What are some that you have engaged and applied for, for your SMEs ESG profile and performance?
 
Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 2 of #ESGforSMEs .
 
Today we’re differentiating between ESG, SDG and CSR. And how the Goals, Management Strategy and the quantitative Measure of Sustainability for each of these concepts by definition, is applicable to your SME.
 
Enjoy!

Welcome to the first episode of #ESGforSMEs .
 
Today we’re answering the question of what is ESG as well as unpacking the hidden value of ultimately unlocking the five opportunities for your business no matter the size of your SME. These include:
 
1. Making company operations sustainable
2. Reducing costs and improving financial performance
 
And much more, tune into the episode and find out more.
 
Enjoy!

Have you thought about Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and your SME?
 
 What is ESG?
 Is there value for it for my SME?
 Where do I start?
 
 Tune in every Wednesday for #ESGforSMEs as we unpack an ESG Q&A and assumptions applicable to SMEs, one episode at a time!