Objective: Develop critical analysis skills by evaluating how effectively a company’s Vision, Mission, and Values (VMV) section sets the desired destination and frames its sustainability strategy; assess the clarity, coherence, and alignment of the VMV with the company’s sustainability efforts.Instructions:

Select one of the example mission statements above and analyze how effectively the VMV section sets the desired destination and frames the company’s sustainability strategy. What improvements, if any, would you suggest?

Activity 2a: Share and Evaluate an Example Statement

Objective: Apply lessons from this chapter to a real business’s example of communicating its vision/mission/values; critically evaluate sustainability statements found on the internet; identify the underlying goals and values; assess their adherence to effective communication principles such as SMART goals; compare commonalities and differences in various business sustainability statements; enhance analytical skills, foster group discussion, and deepen understanding of effective sustainability messaging.

Instructions:

Evaluate the sustainability statements below. Discuss with a group the following questions:

1. What were the goals and values implied in the statement?
2. Did the sustainability statement accomplish the steps outlined in this chapter? If not, which ones were missing? For example, a SMART goal.
3. What do the statements seem to have in common? What made them different? Why do you think so?

• At CERO Bikes, we empower everyday life with electric utility bicycles. Our goal is to design high-quality compact electric cargo bikes that make cities better places to live. CERO bikes allow almost anyone to accomplish most of their daily needs safely, sustainably, and efficiently – without a car. We envision a world where you don’t have to sacrifice convenience, or the planet’s health, to get where you’re going and do what you need to do.
• Chariot Energy will provide you with 100% clean, renewable energy, always backed by simplicity, transparency, and integrity.
• Coca-Cola: Our planet matters. We act in ways to create a more sustainable and better shared future. To make a difference in people’s lives, communities and our planet by doing business the right way.
• The FNTECH Green Planet Initiative represents our commitment to the environment. By reviewing our practices, establishing better waste management initiatives, and evaluating our overall supply chains, we are able to take measurable steps to creating a greener future.
• ExxonMobil is committed to improving quality of life by meeting the needs of society. That’s what we’ve done throughout our history. As the world evolves, so do we. We are constantly working to meet the changing needs of our customers and stakeholders. This ability to adapt has been the key to creating long-term shareholder value and will be critical to continued success in the years to come. Sustainability at ExxonMobil is integrated into what we do and core to our corporate strategy.
• Stanley Black&DeckerTaking Responsibility for a More Sustainable World Beyond employing people. Beyond developing products and services. Beyond satisfying customers. Corporations play a broader role in society – one that includes helping solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. Climate change, income inequality and workforce development are among the most pressing concerns we face today and one that has the largest impact on the world. By focusing on these issues and developing CSR programs, we’re working to be a force for good. We’re making a positive impact in various areas such as the environment, health and safety, innovation, sustainability, and community involvement. However, we acknowledge that there is still more work to be done.

Activity 2b: Evaluate Statements on a Product

Objective: Analyze and critically assess the sustainability statements on products; enhance your ability to identify effective sustainability communication and understand its impact on consumer perception and decision-making; develop skills in evaluating the authenticity, clarity, and effectiveness of sustainability claims presented by businesses.

Instructions:

1. Find a product with a sustainability statement on it.
2. Describe the sustainability statement’s pros and cons (3-5 sentences).
3. Feel free to share why you picked this specific product and/or statement.

Objective: Define their personal or organizational aspirations for environmental sustainability; articulate the broader impact they hope to achieve through their vision, mission, or values statement; identify and articulate core values that guide their commitment to environmental sustainability; create a clear and compelling statement that communicates their values and commitments effectively.

Instructions:

1. Think about the future you envision for environmental sustainability. What do you hope to achieve? Reflect on the broader impact you want your actions to have on the environment and society.
2. Craft a concise and inspiring statement that captures your long-term goals and aspirations for a vision statement.
   • Vague example: “To create a world where environmental sustainability is the cornerstone of all human activities, fostering a healthy planet for future generations.”
3. Define the purpose of your actions related to environmental sustainability. What specific activities do you plan to undertake?
4. Outline the measurable objectives that will help you achieve your mission.
5. Describe the actions you will take to contribute to environmental sustainability for a mission statement.
   • “Our mission is to reduce our campus carbon footprint by 50% within the next five years through campus-wide recycling initiatives, energy-efficient practices, and promoting sustainable transportation options.”
6. List the values that guide your commitment to environmental sustainability (e.g., stewardship, innovation, accountability). Describe how these values influence your decisions and actions related to sustainability for a values statement.
   • Example: “We value environmental stewardship by actively promoting conservation efforts and sustainable practices in all aspects of campus life. Our commitment to innovation drives us to seek new solutions for environmental challenges, while accountability ensures that we uphold our responsibilities to current and future generations.”

Tips for Creating Statements:

• Be Clear and Concise: Keep your statements brief and to the point.
• Reflect Your Beliefs: Ensure your statements align with your personal or organizational beliefs and principles.
• Inspire Action: Use language that motivates others to join your cause and take action for environmental sustainability.
• Review and Revise: Periodically review your statements to ensure they remain relevant and reflect your evolving goals and values.

Objective: you will be able to identify and visualize the most commonly used words and phrases in specific industries; explore prevalent themes, jargon, and priorities within industry-specific sustainability communications; facilitate the development of a more effective and industry-aligned sustainability statement.

Instructions:

1. Create a word cloud of your statement or a combination of other statements. This could help envision common words used in specific industries.
2. Word clouds can be made in websites such as https://www.wordclouds.com/ or on built-in apps such as on Word.