Community of solvers: actions are more sustainable than words

To me, sustained outcomes mean continuously striving for a better future and greater awareness of the ways in which you can have an impact by taking into account long-term consequences and the needs of coming generations. Our community of solvers brings together various perspectives and skills to find innovative answers to complex issues, using technology and a focus on constant development.
 

I support organisations in understanding the impact they have on society in order that they can take responsibility for that impact. I help them identify the main themes, both for the organisation herself and for her stakeholders. My focus is on improving processes, optimising data streams and setting up reporting processes. This allows firms to comply with regulations and legislation in an accurate and efficient manner while simultaneously communicating with their stakeholders in a transparent way.

Sustained outcomes for me revolve around being aware of every step and action within the bigger picture. Everything is connected. Sustainability involves multiple perspectives, multiple stakeholders and multiple considerations. Sustained outcomes aren’t simple. They require us to set realistic goals and develop a step-by-step approach that is different for every organisation. Each organisation needs a custom solution while heading for the same goal.
 

My team and I help organisations develop, monitor and report on their fiscal strategy. This may also involve looking at where they invest. We examine fiscal criteria to assess whether an investment is sustainable. It’s great to see organisations changing their opinions about tax. Instead of seeing it as a cost item or complex compliance issue, tax is increasingly viewed as a strategic element.
 

From a sustainability perspective, I’d like to change the fiscal principle of ‘tax follows business’ to ‘tax supports business’. The more transparent an organisation is about the way it approaches fiscality, the better her stakeholders are informed and able to familiarise themselves with the story behind the organisation. Numbers aren’t everything. It may be that a lower tax burden results from applying fiscal facilities aimed at achieving sustainability goals.

I see sustainable progress as using the many opportunities offered by sustainability to create value for organisations and society alike. Sustainability goes beyond compliance and ticking legal obligation boxes. The proper integration of sustainability can set organisations apart from their competitors, open up new markets and make it easier to attract financing.
 

In our community of solvers, we see that a complex and broad subject like sustainability can only really create value for clients and society when clients and colleagues from various specialisms work closely together. Success in sustainability often starts with listening well and recognising that not every question has an answer. Solutions are found by bringing together various viewpoints. We contribute to sustained outcomes by providing insight into the impact that sustainability-related trends have, and how organisations can be more effective and successful when they put sustainability front and centre.

Sustained outcomes are those that improve the quality of the environment in a way that is measurable, contributes to societal goals and embraces partnerships. PwC’s community of solvers joins forces to offer shared solutions for challenges and generate new approaches by utilising opportunities together. I work with many organisations to help them identify the material, financial and non-financial costs and risks related to their activities in a world that is increasingly integrated and mutually dependent.

Sustained outcomes are custom outcomes in response to a problem or challenge that will continue to provide value in the longer term. You don’t achieve sustained outcomes by prioritising short-term solutions that lead to future problems. Although thinking outside the box is needed, sustained outcomes should also fit within the wider environment and strategy of the organisation.
 

My team and I achieve sustainable results by developing and implementing reporting solutions together with clients. In this process, we look at the way these organisations run their business, the information demands of both the reporting function and the broader organisation, and the strategic priorities of the supervisors of the organisation. By regular alignment with the progress, we can achieve sustained outcomes that help organisations realise their reporting goals.

Over the past twelve years I have contributed to supporting organisations and the PwC team on the road to sustained outcomes. What started with recycling coffee cups has developed into the structural changes we see in core processes today. These demand the linking of market developments, ambitions and reporting requirements to determine a dot on the horizon and help release our goals.
 

We must identify how we face the challenges of our time in an accountable, scalable and structural way. Determining, translating and focusing on opportunities and risks allows us to generate value. And this revolves around two questions: what will make you relevant ten years from now and how will you get there?
 

We take a business-case perspective to look at the method, direction and scope of growth. We then use our skills, data and technology to start the change that will help achieve that goal. For example, we work with non-life insurers who face changing risks and opportunities or identify options for investors to support the opportunities provided by sustained outcomes. We also translate reporting requirements – such as the CSRD – into concrete plans of action in which obligations and value creation converge.