In September 2009, make stuff happen won the job to create a business network that could support the sustainability efforts of small and medium sized businesses across the lower Duck River industrial precincts that straddle Parramatta and Auburn City Councils in western Sydney. Small and medium sized businesses were perceived to be lacking the support larger businesses could attract through other government or industry programs.
Streamline Business was a voluntary program and participation was free to local businesses. The year-long program included monthly short, sharp seminars hosted by local businesses like Shell, Veolia, Lubrizol, BluGlass, Sydney Turf Club and more. Every month we invited business people to join us for informal coffee conversations in a local café, which we called Café Duck.
Relevant topics and speakers were introduced based on what participants told us they wanted. But the most useful aspect of this program was the opportunity it gave participating businesses to network with each other. People who would not normally cross paths were brought together in a collegial atmosphere. Businesses of all sizes came along and shared their experiences. This yielded concrete outcomes as well as building a precinct-based identity centred on sustainability.
“This program was low key and genuine.” Phillip Lane, Lubrizol
We organised field trips, where people could check out the sustainability practices of their neighbours and get ideas about what to do differently with waste, water, energy, equipment, and the potential to make money out of new sustainable products. Eight video case studies were produced highlighting the work many of these businesses have done so far to reduce their carbon footprint.
In addition, we designed a sustainability audit checklist and planning tool called the sustainability ‘snapshot’. Through this tool, businesses could identify strengths and weaknesses in their current endeavours and develop plans to implement future improvements. We field tested the tool with 20 businesses to make sure that it reflected the language and concerns of the people who would eventually use it.
“The tool helps you think outside the square.” Graeme Ferris, Sydney Turf Club
Streamline Business has generated a network of enthusiastic sustainability pioneers across the Duck River industrial precincts. The program involved experimenting with new ways to engage small to medium businesses in activities outside their day-to-day operational concerns. We believe we have only scratched the surface. Interest in sustainability is high and, in some cases, these businesses are way ahead of government in their thinking and preparedness to take action.
The Sustainability Snapshot Tool produced by make stuff happen, can be found here.