Are you wanting to better understand sustainability, its application in small businesses, and why it’s important?

Business South Inc. and the BusinessNZ Network are excited to present our entry level sustainability course.
 
Over a day, connect with fellow small businesses to learn about key elements of sustainability such as:

• Carbon and climate change
• Waste and circular economy
• Sustainable procurement
• Communicating and engaging for sustainability
• How you can get started on this journey.

This course is for you if you are new to sustainability and want to get your head around it, are supplying big corporates who are asking you questions about this and you want to understand more, or have started your journey in some areas but know you could do more.
 
Designed and developed by the inhouse expertise of our sustainability and learning and development specialists, this promises to leave you with an informed, connected, and inspired view of how you can begin making an impact through your business.
 
Time: 9.00am - 4.30pm
 
Next Step: Sustainability - Focusing on What Matters for your Business
 
FACILITATOR
Lauren James, our BusinessNZ Network Sustainability Lead has 12 years experience in a hybrid of commercial, and sustainability experience. The diverse portfolio of global experience she brings spreads across multiple industries. Beyond NZ, she has worked in Australia, China and South-East Asia, the UK and Mexico City. Recent focuses of climate risk disclosure reporting and consulting (External Reporting Board/ PWC); sustainable procurement and supplier diversity at Westpac and for Ports of Auckland, combined with sustainability, innovation and commercialisation for global dairy industry (Fonterra) have cultivated a strong sustainability lens applied practically to a commercial context and a desire for leadership to create change and impact. Lauren’s key strength is being a change agent, developing and executing strategy and educating for sustainable change to help businesses succeed in a dynamic landscape. The backbone of her experience are post-graduate qualifications in sustainability and environmental science from world leading universities including a Masters from Imperial College, London.
 
Aside from a strong corporate background, Lauren has worked with SMEs and social enterprises, as a consultant, mentor and co-owner and has volunteered for an NGO working on social innovation in Mexico City. She was also a crew member of the Eat Less Plastic journey in the Pacific undertaking ocean microplastic research, beach clean-ups, community education and as part of this voyage, was the lead interviewer of NGOs in Suva for a documentary. Passionate about wellbeing and currently running her own wellbeing business, you’ll find her adventuring – trail running and paddle boarding - in her spare time – and also teaching yoga and running retreats for others to help them with their own personal wellbeing.

MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT VOUCHER FUND
This workshop is registered with the Management Capability Development Voucher Fund programme.

Small businesses may qualify for vouchers to help pay for services such as training workshops, courses and coaching that build the management capabilities of their owners, operators and key managers. Vouchers may be provided to a business where the Growth Advisors have identified a need for management training as part of an action plan to support the business owner to grow and innovate their business.

For more information on the Management Capability Development Fund or to find your local Growth Advisor go to www.regionalbusinesspartners.co.nz