I have the privilege of being a member of the 2018 class (Liberty United) of Liberty Felowship, partner of the Aspen Institute and part of the ASPEN Global Leadership Network. I follow the Institute’s commercial and company program and what he says about the current commercial environment and our role as leaders. Recently, Alicia Bonner, assistant director of this program, is the author of a blog that can be found on the institute site and on LinkedIn entitled, The integration of sustainability into the strategy can provide value.
In her blog article, Ms. Bonner does what I consider as a clever observation: “(W) Pool leaders have integrated into sustainability in business strategy and the brand for wider adoption, it strengthens the entire organization.” While Mrs. Bonner was to a certain extent by speaking of sustainability in the sense of things like the reduction carbon footprint, I submit for your consideration that what she strikes is an essential lesson that we must all take to heart. A strategy that is not sustainable – that which does not preserve the capacity to maintain success, whether through an organizational culture which promotes innovation and collaboration, ensures financial performance or a number of other approaches – it is probably not a strategy at all.
In 2023, Santee Cooper created a corporate sustainability service. This does not mean that the company did not think about sustainability before 2023. Far from it. The Santee Cooper durability department has been created to, among other things, develop a complete support structure for sustainability efforts already in place and direct the development and implementation of initiatives which support the long -term sustainability of the organization and align with its vision, mission and objectives. In short, our leadership appreciates the need for intentionality with regard to the sustainability of Santee Cooper.
We had a first first year in the sustainable development department. From work on the statistically required transition process associated with the possible closure of the Winyah generation station, the publication of an annual reworked sustainability report and commitment with our internal and external stakeholders, the team was occupied. As part of the recent reorganization, the department was moved from the umbrella of the Advocate General’s office to its own department, its strategy and its communications – once again a recognition of the way in which strategy and sustainability are linked. Research and development departments, organizational culture and business communications and external affairs are also part of the strategy and communication team. Each of these functions is vital when driving the load on the strategy.
At Santee Cooper, we believe that our structure, our vision and our objectives align the strategy of our organization on the sustainability of our organization. For us, the two things are inextricably linked while we push to be the first public service in South Carolina and the main resource to improve the quality of life of all the South Carolinians.