Alexandra Quint

Credibility is created through measuring of sustainability, transparency and standards-based work. Transparency also means reporting the status quo of an entity's tranformation. Most entities are not sustainable businesses but on their way. It is relevant to evaluate the processes, progress and regression.

In my view, it is crucial for sustainability targets that they are validated and based on scientific and data analysis. This is how effectiveness is achieved. Progress can be mapped with target tracking. Regular tracking of targets ensures that deviations from the target path are recognized at an early stage. Here, too, the management capabilities can be demonstrated to the investor. Add metrics as well as your entity's vision and values to your set of targets to create a well-rounded strategic picture.

Materiality analysis is one of the most fundamental processes of an entity to prepare the ground for sustainability transformation, strategy development and reporting processes. It serves the purpose of focussing on financial and/ or impact materiality. With it's disclosure the entity shows it's priorities and how to manage these. Integrating stakeholder perspectives enhances the quality and information value to the investor.

Biodiversity loss and creating awareness of nature capital is a sustainability issue coming up lately. It is essential to consider impacts, risks and opportunities of your own business model in terms of biodiversity. Relevant questions to asks can be: - Where do the resources come from that are relevant for my product? - What are the implications of resource extraction? - Which implications on biodiversity does a product have in the use-phase? - Where are my business model and product dependent on biodiversity?

After the forming phase, in which the newly formed team begins to work together, the storming phase stands for the first conflicts in the team and problems in working together. This phase stands for friction within the team, but in my experience also for clarification of expectations and individual approaches. The team gets to know each other fundamentally. For leaders of virtual teams, it is crucial to consciously prepare for the storming phase and be able to read the signals. When the storming phase comes up it is helpful for virtual teams to already have established a consistant communication framework. It then works as a guideline in possible conflict situations. The team will then switch to a mode of effective collaboration.