Suppliers are hesitant to adopt sustainable practices. How can you overcome their resistance?

O engajamento de fornecedores na cadeia de suprimentos, com foco em sustentabilidade, é crucial para a construção de práticas socioeconômicas assertivas de longo prazo. Ao integrar fornecedores na estratégia de sustentabilidade, as empresas não só garantem que seus parceiros compartilhem valores e compromissos ambientais, mas também promovem a implementação de processos e produtos mais ecológicos ao longo de toda a cadeia e no desenvolvimento de soluções sustentáveis. A sustentabilidade deve ser encarada como um esforço coletivo que maximiza o impacto positivo no meio ambiente e fortalece a responsabilidade social em toda a cadeia e por meio de programas educativos e letramento dos fornecedores é possivel fomentar essa mudança de cultura.

Para superar a resistência dos fornecedores à adoção de práticas sustentáveis, é crucial demonstrar claramente os benefícios tangíveis dessas práticas, como a redução de custos operacionais, acesso a novos mercados e possíveis incentivos fiscais. Apresente casos de sucesso e dados que evidenciem como a sustentabilidade pode levar a uma vantagem competitiva e a uma maior eficiência a longo prazo. Ofereça suporte na transição, como treinamentos e recursos para facilitar a implementação, e destaque o crescente valor da sustentabilidade para clientes e parceiros comerciais. Construir um argumento sólido e fornecer assistência prática pode ajudar a aliviar as preocupações e incentivar a adoção de práticas sustentáveis.

To address resistance from suppliers, focus on raising awareness and providing inspiration. Start with ongoing communication about the importance of sustainability, beginning with its background. Next, share information about trends, current and upcoming legislation. Inspire your suppliers by highlighting good practices from others in your industry or different sectors. Provide examples that show how sustainability practices can lead to cost savings. Maintain regular communication on various sustainability topics. For instance, one message can cover government incentives, while another can discuss cost-saving projects. Consistently emphasize that sustainability is a crucial part of business operations.

Education is key to overcoming resistance. Suppliers may lack awareness about the long-term benefits of sustainability, such as cost savings and efficiency. Provide clear, practical information and success stories to demystify sustainable practices. Empowering suppliers with knowledge can transform reluctance into proactive change.

Integrating suppliers into your sustainability strategy is essential. Start by offering clear guidelines and support to help them transition. Highlight the practical benefits: a stronger brand reputation, access to new markets, and potential cost savings from improved efficiencies. Suppliers can also attract top talent and stay ahead of regulatory changes. Emphasize that while initial investments are needed, the long-term gains—customer loyalty, reduced emissions, and compliance—make sustainability a smart business move.

To persuade suppliers, highlight how sustainability can boost their brand and open new markets. Show that while initial costs might be higher, the long-term benefits of enhanced reputation and customer loyalty can significantly outweigh these expenses. This approach not only emphasizes immediate returns but also aligns with growing consumer demand for ethical practices.

Acredito que a contrapartida deve vir a partir de premiações, ratings favoráveis a novas negociações, exposição midiática do parceiro no sentido de ser comprometido com o ESG.

Ter uma prática sustentável pode abrir mercados internacionais, assim eu pergunto "Você quer ganhar em real, ou dólar e euro?" Desculpa a franquesa, mas às vezes um choque de realidade é um grande argumento.

Success requires teamwork. Develop a sustainable plan that is advantageous to both of you in close collaboration with your suppliers. This may include proposing to split expenses or making co-investments in environmentally friendly technologies. Building confidence and encouraging suppliers to adopt sustainable practices as a joint venture can be achieved by demonstrating your commitment to a partnership approach rather than imposing terms.

Collaboration is essential for sustainable success. Partner with suppliers to create shared sustainability strategies, such as co-investing in green technologies or sharing costs. By fostering a cooperative approach, you build trust and make sustainability a mutual goal, rather than a top-down mandate.

To overcome supplier resistance to sustainable practices, collaboration is key. At Maersk, we co-invested in energy-efficient solutions, building trust and demonstrating commitment to shared goals. At Novo Nordisk, we provided training to equip suppliers with the necessary skills. Transparent communication and highlighting mutual benefits, such as cost savings and efficiency, were crucial. This partnership approach fosters trust and encourages suppliers to embrace sustainability as a joint venture.

To overcome supplier resistance to adopting sustainable practices, it is very important to clearly demonstrate the tangible benefits of these practices, such as reduced operating costs, access to new markets, and potential tax incentives. Offer transition support, such as training and resources to facilitate implementation, and highlight the growing value of sustainability to customers and business partners. Providing practical assistance can help alleviate concerns and encourage adoption of sustainable practices.

Executar o trabalho de forma direta e incisiva, auditando, conversando e orientando o fornecedor sempre que possível presencialmente. A chave do sucesso é estar presente.

É uma forma de premiar, com bônus financeiros diretos, porém, sou mais a favor da premiação vir em forma de priorização em novos negócios, o fornecedor em grande escala, quer vender, dinheiro pelo dinheiro não enche os olhos, novos negócios é o que melhor pode premiar um bom parceiro.

In cases where the promise of future gains alone isn't sufficient to motivate suppliers to adopt sustainable practices, introducing financial incentives can be an effective strategy. Financial incentives can take various forms, such as offering discounts or bonuses for meeting sustainability targets, providing subsidies for investments in eco-friendly technologies, or establishing long-term contracts with preferential terms for sustainable suppliers. These incentives not only offset initial implementation costs but also demonstrate a tangible return on investment in sustainability efforts. By aligning financial benefits with environmental goals, businesses can encourage suppliers to overcome initial hesitations.

When future gains alone aren’t compelling, offer financial incentives to ease the transition. Preferential pricing, extended contracts, or upfront payments can offset the initial costs of sustainable practices, making the change more appealing and less intimidating for suppliers.

Regulatory compliance serves as a powerful motivator for suppliers who may be hesitant to adopt sustainable practices. By emphasizing how aligning with sustainability standards not only ensures legal adherence but also positions them favorably in regulatory audits and future business opportunities, you can effectively incentivize their engagement. Offering guidance and support in navigating compliance requirements and implementing sustainable initiatives can also alleviate concerns and facilitate smoother transitions. Integrating sustainability into supplier relationships not only enhances regulatory compliance but also strengthens partnerships and contributes positively to overall business sustainability goals.

Highlighting regulatory compliance can be a powerful motivator. Emphasize that increasing sustainability regulations could lead to fines or lost opportunities. By adopting sustainable practices now, suppliers can stay ahead of these regulations, avoiding potential penalties and ensuring smoother business operations in the future.

Definir métricas básicas e impor aos fornecedores que abaixo daquela linha, nada será aceito. Também gosto de dar informação clara sobre como utilizamos os dados coletados.

Diversos países têm fortalecido o ambiente regulatório e este é mais um incentivo à sustentabilidade, aqui no Brasil tivemos um caso recente de vazamento de um produto de uma empresa e afetou uma área de proteção ambiental, logo pelo estudos preliminares serão 10 anos para recuperar o ambiente. E a empresa que gerou este impacto teve uma multa considerável, e um grande impacto na sua imagem. Acredito que não gostaria que isso aconteça na sua empresa.

To overcome suppliers' resistance to adopting sustainable practices, foster innovation by demonstrating the long-term benefits. Share success stories and case studies showing cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced reputations. Collaborate on pilot projects to test sustainable solutions and provide technical support. Offer incentives, such as preferred supplier status, and emphasize how innovation in sustainability can open new market opportunities and drive mutual growth.