In a world where rapid development places our natural resources under pressure, and market forces prioritize profits over stability, organizations must proactively look for ways to align business practices to help achieve sustainability goals. Aperture, a small company with limited resources, has been intentionally addressing these challenges since our founding in 2016. We recognize that we can not do it all and so have focused on areas where we are uniquely positioned to create impact. Given our customer base and the nature of the services we offer, Aperture is naturally drawn to two goals contained in the UN’s 17 Sustainability Goals: “Decent Work and Economic Growth” and “Responsible Consumption and Production.”
In doing our part to achieve these major goals, Aperture made the decision to operate the company in a fully remote fashion. This model brings challenges in team building, cohesion, employee engagement, productivity, collaboration and accountability. We have been successful in mitigating these challenges with technology, communication, and a binding sense of purpose derived from mission-focus. This steeliness makes Aperture stand out against our competition and brings many other benefits to our employees, the communities in which they live, and the world at large:
Reduced environmental impact:
Companies significantly decrease their carbon footprint by eliminating the need for daily commutes. Traditional offices settings require employees to travel long distances, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, noise and air pollution. Additional natural resources are required to heat and cool office space, and the use of industrial chemicals and materials for cleaning and maintenance contribute unnecessarily to landfill and water processing systems. The cumulative effect of these reductions can be substantial.
Employee well-being through balance
Remote work gives commute time back to Aperture employees and enhances work-life balance and employee well-being. Employees working remotely can tailor their schedules to fit their personal lives better, reducing stress and increasing job satisfaction. Healthier, happier employees are more productive and engaged, improving project outcomes and client satisfaction. Moreover, companies prioritizing employee well-being are more likely to retain top talent, reducing turnover and the associated costs of recruiting and training new employees.
Access to an olympic-sized talent pool
Embracing a remote workforce allows Aperture to tap into the national talent pool, fostering diversity and inclusion. Geographical diversity brings together individuals with varied cultural backgrounds and perspectives, enhancing creativity and innovation. Diverse teams develop comprehensive and adaptable solutions that better address the needs of Aperture’s client base (who have Global operations.) Team members in different time zones improve project efficiency and client support which enhances client satisfaction.
Effective resource deployment
Remote work can lead to significant cost savings and resource efficiency. Aperture has minimized real estate costs, utility expenses, and overhead by reducing the need for physical office space. These savings have been reinvested into the business – driving innovation, growth, and creating opportunities for employee engagement outside of traditional work. Moreover, remote work encourages the use of digital tools and platforms, streamlining operations, and reducing reliance on paper-based processes. Additionally, these tools are more easily and cost effectively scalable, allow Aperture to “right-size” operations quickly to take on a new project, or complete engagements with little waste.
Conclusion
The sustainability benefits of a remote workforce are clear and compelling for Aperture, and will be for many other organizations. What is most important, however, is that organizations take the time to assess how their businesses can help advance sustainability goals for the benefit of the world. While no organization will be able to solve all the challenges, it is within the power of each organization to contribute positively towards broader sustainability goals.
