Agency for Sustainability

Increasing global networking connects us in both a positive and negative sense. The implementation of a sustainable strategy along the entire value chain is fundamental to corporate success: Clients, employees and customers insist on transparency regarding working and production conditions, and they rightly expect manufacturers and service providers to assume social responsibility. Sustainability ratings define the selection of suppliers.

Sustainabiliy strategy
Ruess Group

Your contact for sustainability

Markus Rahner

T: +49 711 16446-61
M: markus-rahner@ruess-group.com

Climate-neutral agency with expertise in sustainability strategy, reputation management and corporate social responsibility

The fact that companies – and of course we as an agency for sustainability – are assessed by how they pursue the goals of sustainable development shows that it is no longer enough to develop and offer good, innovative products or services. Our society demands fair, sustainable and responsible business practices from companies and entrepreneurs. What began tentatively in the late 90s with the LOHAS movement has reached mainstream society and has become even more prominent in the public consciousness since the Fridays for Future movement. This gives rise to new tasks for management, sales and marketing, which we, as a sustainable agency, are happy to take on strategically with you.

We are seeing a development that is in full swing – one that cannot be reversed: Customers, employees and clients want transparency regarding working and production conditions. And they rightly expect manufacturers and service providers to take on social responsibility. Consumers prefer to buy products that have been produced fairly, ecologically and sustainably. Clients in the B2B sector are introducing sustainability ratings and are rejecting suppliers and providers who are not able to demonstrate sustainability throughout the value chain. Applicants do not choose their employers solely on the basis of financial considerations, but expect a purpose, a sense of meaning and a demonstrable contribution to fair, sustainable collaboration. We have already developed several employer branding campaigns and strategies for our clients based on this.

Sustainable management all along the supply chain and corporate social responsibility are strategically vital corporate policy tasks. Ones that lead to a clear mandate for corporate management: Long-term successful business development combined with a positive company contribution to the sustainable development of society and societal natural conditions. With this in mind, sustainability management has become a central management issue, anchoring sustainability within the company and systematically implementing it in internal structures and processes. As an agency that advises on the many facets of sustainability, we recognised this some time ago and had ourselves certified as a climate-neutral agency. This makes us one of the few climate-neutral agencies in Germany today.

More about our own sustainability strategy

Beware of the ‘greenwashing’ trap

An important facet of sustainability management is obviously sound sustainability communication – but that’s far from being everything.

Sustainability is often seen too narrowly as a marketing and communication issue. In our daily work as a consulting agency, however, we see that this approach falls short. Sustainability reports or regular CSR initiatives are indisputably essential building blocks of sustainability communication. But without a suitable corporate and marketing strategy, sustainability communication is quickly exposed as greenwashing. It isn’t enough for a burger chain to colour its logo green or for an oil company to equip petrol stations with solar panels.

Sustainability communication calls for strategy and credibility

This is why it makes sense to work together with a consulting and marketing agency specialised in sustainability and, on the basis of an authentic sustainability strategy, to then develop a credible sustainability communication campaign that encompasses all relevant channels and platforms.

Such cross-channel and cross-disciplinary sustainability communication is never a one-way street, but rather a dialogue. Engaging with (critical) stakeholders, actively shaping debates and winning fans, followers and supporters are essential components.

Sustainability microsite for packaging machine manufacturer Schubert

Ein aufgeschlagenes Heft informiert über Antalis Verpackungen — Facts 'n Figures: Explainatory illustration for sustainability

Conclusion

When the relationship to consumption, growth and globalisation has been readjusted, companies have to rethink and adapt their position as social participants.

Products that don’t live up to the new set of values (healthy, fair, vegan, environmentally friendly, sustainable) inevitably come under public scrutiny and are punished by increasingly discerning consumers. Both producers and retailers are facing up to the current changes in consumer behaviour. But many initiatives are still not authentic enough. We can help you rigorously define your sustainability strategy and activate it with an authentic communication concept.

We can support you as a strategy and management consultant and as an agency for sustainability in the development or optimisation of your sustainability strategy. Moreover, our experts will support you in successfully implementing your strategy.

With which service modules we as an agency can strengthen your sustainability communication:

Sustainability strategy

Sustainability audit: Status analysis based on the relevant standards (e.g. GRI G4 Global Reporting Initiative, UN Sustainable Development Goals), strengths/weaknesses profile, fields of action, competitive analysis, research of relevant topics
Stakeholder mapping: Identifying the relevant players, multipliers and potential critics from the areas of media, politics, interest groups, NGOs, analysts and social media / influencers
Synthesising the results into an authentic sustainability strategy
Implementing KPIs and measurement systems such as balanced scorecards
Developing a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy: PR and publicity (e.g. daily and business media, TV, radio, online media); trade fairs, conventions, events (virtual / real); social media channels (e.g. LinkedIn, Xing, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest); advertisements (print, online, social); in-house publications

Developing and/or optimising your sustainability communications

Stakeholder relations and stakeholder dialogue (based on stakeholder mapping) with relevant stakeholders from the media, social media, politics, analysts and interest groups / NGOs
Agenda-setting: actively addressing and occupying the relevant topics
Positioning board members, executives and experts via classic print and online media, social media, events, publications, podcasts, video formats
Campaigns and integrated communications: Elaborating integrated, cross-channel campaigns and developing the appropriate formats and content, such as texts (press releases, speeches, brochures, CSR/sustainability reports, social media posts), images & graphics (e.g. for social media channels), video and audio (podcasts)

Seeing through the methodology jungle

We will be pleased to advise you on the advantages and disadvantages of the various models, such as the triple bottom line approach, the 3-pillar model and 3P (People, Planet, Profit).

We would be happy to discuss this with you in more detail

Markus Rahner

T: +49 711 16446-61
M: markus-rahner@ruess-group.com

Cases

Our sustainability Cases

Sustainable marketing in all its forms

Antalis

Rethinking packaging: The focus here is on the all-embracing strategic development of brand and product communication – with communication concepts and measures that accompany the global player’s sales into a sustainable packaging future.

Sappi

We realise international content marketing and innovative digital experiences for the world's leading paper manufacturer and number one in Europe.

All cases