3. Data Management Technology
Revisiting Master Data Management; high quality and sound governance of data can only be achieved by freeing it from its traditional silos and making it coherent wherever it’s used.
Moreover, creating a universally accessible repository of data that is available (even if that data is spread across different teams) can allow a broader range of interests to make use of this data, supporting a wider range of strategic outcomes.
The use of AI, automation and analytics within Data Management technology can help teams draw out ever more detailed insights, and make reporting far more efficient: this is particularly salient when it comes to delivering recurring ESG reports.
4. Data Culture
The power of data, to a significant extent, depends on “buy-in” from your teams as regards its potential. To harness it, you first need to encourage a real cultural shift that impacts everyone from your front-line to your C-suite.
Teams that are engaged with data - and convinced of its value to their business unit - are capable of incredible things. Identifying areas for improvement as well as the potential for quick wins, and removing obstacles that can unlock their long term growth.
If nothing else, it pays to remember that your employees are stakeholders, too, and that many take the ESG commitments of their own companies seriously.
Kick-starting a data transformation is only possible if your people are committed and enthusiastic. Good data makes their lives easier. Our 5 tips on embedding a data culture into your business will help.
What does it mean to be ‘data-first’?
Even if the exact criteria of ESG reporting are unpredictable, the need to show proof of your claims on a regular basis is already well-known, be that to the authorities, consumers, investors, or a heady mix of all three.
Nevertheless, even if companies have the data they need available, they can waste valuable time picking through it again and again.
Thus, taking a data-first approach is key. Having ESG data to hand and generating insights (rather than scrambling before each reporting deadline, risking penalties for incomplete information) is vital.
If it isn’t critical for you yet, rest assured, as your business and its ambitions grow, it will be. Those foundations described above, powered by an extremely robust data management technology all serve a data-first approach.
Better data builds better businesses
It’s as simple as that. With an ever greater dependency on data to inform critical decisions, the quality of that data - and the speed at which you can act on it - marks the difference between leading firms, and losing ones.
So, it holds true that there are far smarter ways of gathering, collating and analysing data to show off your ESG credentials. But the key takeaway is not to not let your short-term reporting priorities get in the way of wider ambitions.
A data-first outlook doesn’t just support your ESG aims: it gives you the framework and tools you need to effect data-led change across all strategy areas: from sales and marketing to HR, operations and finance.
Whether you require strategy to build a data-first culture from the ground up, or the technology to power it, Amplifi can help you perfect the way you manage and deploy data: all it takes is one conversation to get started. It’s ESG data, Amplified – and you can find more information and advice on getting your data ready to report on ESG in our guide below.
ESG Unchained: A guide to finding your ESG hotspots
