*By Sergio Buani
In recent years, the ESG theme has become more relevant and present in Brazilian companies and media. It couldn't be different in innovation environments. Despite the 'boom', I don't believe it's a passing thing – on the contrary, it's a concept that's here to stay. There is no longer any way to disregard these points in the corporate sectors.
Although ESG is becoming a mantra in most companies, regardless of size or niche, I realize that the S, for social responsibility, often does not receive the same attention as its peers in the acronym (environmental, social and corporate governance). or environmental, social and corporate governance).
To succeed in this regard, it is necessary that innovation environments and companies assess their responsibility at this point and understand the importance of working for the social, going beyond the desire to maximize profits. It is important that these characters identify that the sustainability it also has to be worked from a social point of view, and not only from an economic, financial and environmental point of view.
Despite often receiving less light and attention, it is important to understand that it is impossible to talk about sustainability without looking at social issues. There is no point, for example, in promoting actions to reduce environmental damage without adopting actions that develop local communities or without concern for social impacts, such as job creation and development of the local economy. In this sense, the São José dos Campos Technological Park, very early on, began to realize the importance of, before looking far away, developing methods to improve the lives of those close by.
This is how Empreenda On was born, a training and development program for micro and small entrepreneurs in neighborhoods away from large commercial centers, carried out in partnership with Sebrae, Senac, Rotary Club Zona Leste, Fundação Hélio Augusto de Souza (Fundhas) and Municipality of São José dos Campos. The idea is to offer, completely free of charge, training, courses, consulting and mentoring focused on helping these entrepreneurs in the growth of their businesses, thus encouraging the local economy and, consequently, the socioeconomic development of the region.
This is just one example of a program focused on the social issue that was successful, since, in less than a year, two micro-regions were assisted and around 60 entrepreneurs received support. You, innovation environment manager or entrepreneur, may ask yourself: what can this affect and/or change within my corporation? How do actions like this contribute to the economy and circulation of goods and services?
These actions indicate the view of the responsibility of an innovation environment in this sense. As an agent of connections and catalyst for characters involved with innovation and entrepreneurship, these environments create mechanisms for the ESG culture to be seen from the perspective of investment and brand consolidation, boosting growth and strengthening credibility, and that also the “S” of the acronym is included in the agenda of discussions on the topic.
The main issue is that ESG goes far beyond being positive for a company's image – although it still has the power to improve it. Today we can already see the impact on economic status, making corporations more powerful and competitive, thus attracting more investors and investments.
It is necessary to be aware of this global movement – otherwise, you will find it enormously difficult to stay relevant. Added to this are factors that exert force on the subject, such as changing the consumer and investor public, which start to pay attention to this agenda of discussions and seek companies aligned with the theme.
Therefore, I say, without a doubt, for all companies and even more those that consider themselves or want to transform themselves in environments focused on innovation and technology: recognize that we are living in a new scenario, with new consumers and investors, with much more awareness social and environmental. Focus on ESG, as it will impact, in every way, the financial order and the consolidation of your business.
*Sergio Buani is Director of Operations at Sao Jose dos Campos Technological Park, one of the largest innovation and entrepreneurship complexes in Brazil
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
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