SPECIAL FEATURE MAKING A DIFFERENCE: HOW TO MAKE MOVING SUSTAINABLE Building a sustainable moving business needs a holistic approach that encompasses a companys economic stability, the difference it makes to its people and local community, and having a mindset focused on improving as many lives as possible. Here, Dominic Weaver presents five perspectives REN STEGMANN, RELOCATION AFRICA FINANCIAL STABILITY WILL DRIVE OVERALL SUSTAINABILITY REN STEGMANN, DIRECTOR OF DSP BUSINESS RELOCATION AFRICA As a Zimbabwean now based in Cape Town, South Africa, Ren Stegmann, Director of DSP business Relocation Africa, understands the complexities of the southern African regions social issues. The South African governments Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) initiative, for example, aims to redress inequalities still lingering after apartheid and sees businesses bring previously disadvantaged people into management and eventually stakeholder and ownership roles. However, while some companies are fully on board with the process, others do the minimum and fail to engage with the intention behind 20 FF303 Sept_Nov 21 pp20-29 Sustainable Business.indd 20 the programme. This means 16 years on from its introduction, sizeable economic disparities remain. This is one of my biggest fears with sustainability and why Ive become quite engaged with it, she says. We cant afford to pay lip service to sustainable development until we all get on the same page, there is no real solution to any of this. The better news is that focus on doing the right thing from many different quarters is growing. If you dont want to do things properly, says Stegmann, dont bother, because your intent will be seen by your work colleagues, your leaders, your clients and your supply chain. And you will very quickly be sidelined as a business. Given this, her advice to anyone planning to make their business more sustainable is be authentic. I say WWW. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 15/09/2021 10:58