KIEM: a worthwhile investment for sustainable growth

What we are going to talk about matters to every organisation and every young professional.

In this series of blogs, we talk to our specialists at 2BHonest about topics of interest that we come across in our work as sustainability consultants. In this article, Winne Benschop, one of the driving forces behind KIEM, talks about the new boost programme for young professionals. We discuss the importance of the programme and how it supports both young professionals and their organisations to deliver sustainable change.  

KIEM was recently launched. How did the idea for this programme come about? 

As a consultancy firm, we are at the heart of the business world, with a diverse group of clients across a wide range of sectors. As a result, we are well aware of all the developments that are taking place. What strikes us is the growing importance that sustainability is taking on in organisations, which we naturally welcome. Companies have become very active in this area, they develop strategies and communicate about them, sometimes on their own initiative and sometimes due to regulations. 

This growing awareness is also translating into an increasing number of internal employees who are committed to sustainability. Where once there was often a single sustainability manager or director, we now see sustainability teams expanding or project teams being formed with professionals from different departments. Young professionals often fulfil an important role here, for example in the implementation of sustainability plans. With KIEM, we are specifically targeting these young professionals and helping them to be of great value in their organisation’s sustainability transition by stepping up in this process. 

Stepping up — sounds pretty challenging for a young professional, doesn’t it?

It definitely is. Implementing sustainable practices involves a fair amount of complexity. It encompasses all departments of a company and involves identifying sustainable opportunities as well as understanding their impact in different areas. It is also about the ability to connect these aspects and play a pivotal role within the organisation. And sometimes sweeping change is met with resistance. All of this can be quite a challenge for the young professional. With that said, taking on a leadership role can also be exciting. It is essential that you know what you are talking about, what you are doing and that you are fully behind your goals in order to effect the transition within your organisation. 

So you could say that KIEM helps to bridge the knowledge gap between training and what is needed in practice?Would you say it’s like that?

Without a doubt, this is exactly what we are trying to support through KIEM. When it comes to sustainability, knowledge and skills are often not made concrete enough — that’s a gap that we want to close with KIEM. What’s more, the field of sustainability is constantly evolving, with new legislation and developments every month. With a team of 20 — and growing — we are working day in, day out to keep up with these developments and we have a unique insight thanks to our experience in different sectors. And as different as the companies in these sectors are, they are all working on the same things: drawing up sustainability strategies, implementing legislation, developing circular strategies, creating sustainable products and portfolios, measuring carbon footprints and drawing up corresponding reduction plans. 

“When it comes to sustainability, knowledge and skills are often not made concrete enough — that’s a gap that we want to close with KIEM.”

We are putting all this knowledge to use in KIEM. In this way, we always provide the programme with the up-to-date facts needed to place certain aspects in the wider context of sustainability, and we make the learning experience incredibly practical by using concrete examples that we encounter in our work. To do this, we also work with experienced sustainability managers and directors, experts from the business world whom we have established partnerships with.

And that’s quite an impressive list of names, isn’t it?

We have really great people on board our programme, such as the Sustainability directors of Royal Swinkels, Auping, Avebe and Crisp, to name but a few. These sustainability managers have amassed a wealth of experience and expertise, for instance, in circular strategies, carbon reduction and stakeholder management. They share their experiences and offer practical insights into the obstacles they have encountered, how they overcame them, and the key considerations for success. And the great thing is that these experts come from a wide range of sectors, from the food sector to the insurance sector. This gives us a very broad multi-sector perspective, allowing us to highlight different angles and provide a comprehensive perspective on sustainability issues.

I can imagine that this will be of interest not only to KIEM participants themselves, but also to the organisations they work for?

The programme is called KIEM for a reason (after all, KIEM means SEED in Dutch) — think of it as planting a seed and expecting it to grow and bear fruit quickly. Participants in KIEM gain in-depth knowledge and learn to apply it in practice straight away. The fresh ideas and new perspectives that participants glean can from KIEM can lead to innovative solutions. 

We also guide participants in setting up and implementing a sustainability initiative within their own organisation, resulting in a tangible step towards more sustainable business practices. In the process, we always ensure that there is close coordination between us as KIEM, the participant and the organisation, so that not only personal but also organisational goals are achieved. This makes the KIEM programme a worthwhile investment that will certainly pay for itself. 

 

Let’s say someone is still in doubt, then you will say….

Give me a call now! Our programme is really unique, and I’m not just saying that. What we cover and discuss is crucial for any organisation, whether it concerns carbon reduction, engagement, circularity or chain responsibility. We are always up to date with the latest developments and on top of what is going on. Our strength lies in turning these insights into practical opportunities with the help of internal and external experts, so that you can really put them to work yourself. 

Our goal is very clear: we want to have an impact and we want to work with people who share the same vision and the same ambition. We like to help each other move forward. 

Want to know more about KIEM? Download the brochure on our KIEM page.