Lab 17 is revolutionising the tech recruiting and HR industry, and doing it sustainably has been part of their values since day one.

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Why is Lab 17 committed to being a carbon neutral business?

From day one Lab17 committed to the 1% for the planet movement and building a network of “Social Impact” partners that we could work together with so that we could have a greater impact beyond commercial outcomes and building an organisation that would enable individuals to thrive in their careers. 

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The way we operate through an embedded model allows us to deliver outcomes and sustainable growth for our partners, ultimately leaving them in a better place than when we found them on day one of our partnership.  

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It's this same mindset and commitment that lead to the importance of being a carbon neutral business. We believe at an individual and organisational level that we all have a responsibility to contribute to a better and more sustainable future for the planet. 

What sustainability initiatives have you implemented / are you working on?

We have x3 social impact partners that we proactively invest in, and physically assist where we can. These are:
- Rainforest Rescue (Silver partner)
- Solar Buddy
- Take 3 for the sea

What is your team’s and customer’s reaction to Lab 17’s approach to sustainability? 

Sustainability is such a crucial part of our DNA at Lab17 that we probably don’t pause to recognise that reaction it has, it’s ingrained in our approach and desire to have an impact at a deeper level. 

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‍It's more important that our team and customers recognise the opportunity to also work with our social impact partners and platforms such as Trace. 

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‍Overall I hope it drives curiosity which leads to more action taken by individuals and organisations. The team at Lab17 definitely appreciates that we provide a platform and different opportunities to have an impact on sustainability.

What have you learnt working with Trace?

As individuals and as a collective you need to want to do it, versus having to do it or being instructed to do it. The biggest moment is taking the first step, which I think is the biggest bottleneck for taking any action at all. 

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Too often I see organisations and individuals getting caught up in the level of detail and wanting to do something that completely stands out creating delays in taking any action. 

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Trace has allowed us to take steps quicker and share ownership of what we do as individuals and as Lab17. My biggest learning so far with Trace is that every action, conversation and initiative no matter how big or small counts. Any action is better than no action at all. 

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What is your advice to other business owners who are at the start of their sustainability journey?

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Don’t overthink it and take the first step now! No matter how big or small - it can be conversation amongst the team, sharing ideas on internal comms channels and encouraging positive behaviour in your work culture that contributes to sustainability. It won’t happen overnight but it will build momentum once you get started and at some point it will begin to take on a life of its own. 

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Define why sustainability is important at an individual and organisational level, it has to be an active part of your culture and environment. Not a tick box exercise! 

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Leverage your network and ask other people you know what they are doing and how they are doing it. There are so many individuals and organisations doing amazing work in this space and they are all eager to share their knowledge and be part of your journey to sustainability. 

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The most important point to remember is that sustainability is going to mean different things to different people. The biggest mistake you can make is to force it on individuals and teams, instead provide opportunities for learning, pathways for active participation and a safe space for people to lean in and also lean out. 

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Want to be like  Lab 17? Find out how to make your business carbon neutral.