News
Kaizen Institute’s ESG Journey: A Year of Progress and Commitment
Over the past year, Kaizen Institute (KI) has made significant strides in integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its core operations, both on a global and local level. Our commitment to fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and ethical work environment is evident through several key projects and developments. These efforts align closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
1. Establishment of Core Policies
To strengthen our commitment to ESG, we have developed a comprehensive set of policies, including our ESG Policy, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy, Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Policy, and Equal Opportunities Policy. Each of these policies reflect our dedication to creating a respectful and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We are also working on additional policies, such as a sustainability policy, to further our commitment.
2. Development of the Speak Up Platform
The launch of our confidential whistleblowing system, the Speak Up Platform, marks a pivotal step in safeguarding our values. This platform empowers all KI members to report unethical behavior or violations securely and anonymously, ensuring swift and appropriate action. Accessible directly from our main website, it is available to members, customers, and suppliers alike, reflecting our commitment to maintaining a healthy and integrity-driven work environment.
3. Conducting and Refining the DEI Survey
In our third year of conducting the DEI survey, we refined the process to better capture diverse experiences within our organization. To ensure accuracy, the survey is conducted anonymously. Insights gained are instrumental in shaping our DEI initiatives, aligning them with the needs of our people. The results and improvement suggestions are shared and discussed with global business unit leaders during our annual Global Business Meeting, ensuring our DEI strategies remain impactful everywhere.
4. Engaging the Entire Organization
To ensure that everyone at Kaizen Institute is actively involved in our ESG journey, we organized the first of a series of webinars to share our progress and encourage KI members’ participation. The response and interest in ESG topics were very promising and highlight a strong commitment across the organization. As a result and following the feedback from participants across all business units, KI will continue to offer internal webinars on specific ESG topics to further educate and engage our members. These events provide an open forum for discussion, helping us align our collective efforts and deepen our shared understanding of positive impacts from both internal developments as well as projects for our clients.
5. Community Contributions
Our commitment to the social pillar of ESG is evident through active participation in local community projects, education programs for schools, and foundation initiatives. A key highlight is the development of “Kaizen Foundations,” a training system designed for disadvantaged individuals. This program equips participants with essential skills while contributing to the SDGs. Through these initiatives, we aim to drive meaningful change within the communities we serve.
6. Carbon Footprint Accounting
Starting in 2024, KI embarked on an ambitious project to account for and manage its carbon footprint. While establishing this system globally presents challenges, we are determined to make significant progress in accurately measuring and improving our environmental impact.
We recognize that our greatest opportunity to influence the global carbon footprint lies in our work with clients. By integrating ESG principles into our methodology and the 200+ workshops within our Kaizen Business System, we are not only improving our own practices but also empowering our clients to adopt sustainable strategies that contribute to broader environmental goals. Through these efforts, KI is poised to make a meaningful impact on the global push for sustainability.
7. Kaizen Institute is Participating in UN Global Compact
To emphasize our commitment to the SDGs set by the United Nations, aiming to create a better world by 2030, Kaizen Institute joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). We are committed to working towards a sustainable future by following the 10 principles of the UNGC.
As we look back on the past year, it’s clear that our dedication to ESG is not just a set of initiatives, but a fundamental part of who we are at Kaizen Institute. We are proud of the progress we’ve made and remain committed to continuous improvement in our ESG efforts. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this journey. Together, with Everyone, Everywhere and Every Day – the KAIZEN™ Way, we are making a lasting impact on our organization and the world around us.
Contact:
Kaizen Institute, Ltd.
Bahnhofplatz
6300 Zug
Switzerland
Phone + 41 (0) 41 725 42 80