Sustainable business model archetypes

• • Slettvoll produce and sell high-quality design furniture. Combined with excellent service, this is something that results in a higher product lifetime and less consumption.
  • We have many local suppliers, and source locally where possible. This creates jobs and results in a lower CO2 imprint with short distance transport.
  • With regards to jobs, we are focused on our factory at Stranda, and not outsource production but rather insource were possible.
  • Some of our suppliers are working on developing more sustainable practices, and we are collecting information from all suppliers regarding their sustainability efforts.
  • Slettvoll`s suppliers have signed our Code of Conduct.
  • Textiles and all other material used in the production is regulated through an EU regulation, REACH.; “Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals”.
  • We are Grønt Punkt certified, which means we recycle our packaging according to the requirements of the government.
  • Slettvoll operates a chain in addition to production and manages 19 stores. This removes an intermediary, meaning we coordinate all products from the factory to our stores.

• • We can work more on solutions that slows the flow of resources.
  • Become more resource efficient and use less resources per product.
  • Reduce the amount of waste and surplus resources. For example, by finding companies that can take advantage of it (industrial symbiosis).
  • Use more sustainable materials and input factors.
  • Work on becoming more energy efficient.

Slettvoll chose sustainability as the strategic topic for 2020 and started with an internal workshop. In all we were 15 internal participants and we went through all the 17 sustainability goals. Eventually we decided to focus on four SDGs. We found these goals important for the company, and areas of which we think we can make a real difference.

SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth - Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

SDG12: Responsible consumption and production - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

SDG 13: Climate action - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

SDG 15: Life on land - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reserve land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

For more information on the importance on these SDGs, follow the link:

https://www.unglobalcompact.org/sdgs/17-global-goals#sdg8

Do we have products that can be turned into services? How can changing consumer practices reduce the footprint of our products? Can we provide additional services that reduce the footprint of our products?

We are highly focused on quality and chose only the best quality material and components for our products. In addition, there is information to be found on our website on maintenance and spare parts, we also give our customers detailed maintenance brochures along with their purchased furniture. Another possibility is to establish a customer relationship system, were we can provide information to the customers on when it is time to oil the furniture for example. Slettvoll already have a customer portal through “my page” on their website, where the customers can find their purchasing history and specifications.

Does our business model generate waste or excess resources that can be reduced or eliminated? How can we redesign our products and services to prevent negative externalities? How can we facilitate consumption that utilize surplus capacity in existing products and services?

At Slettvoll we are looking at possible ways of upcycling, resource utilization and reducing our waste and surplus resources. In addition, we are working on more environmentally friendly packaging, and reducing negative impact by redesigning products and services.

Which partners and alliances can help us reach our goals? Do we have existing partners where there is potential for symbiosis? Can new constellations of cooperation enable us to solve new problems, or to reduce our footprint?

The addressed solutions in Service Logic and The Circular, results in a need to form different alliances. In addition, Slettvoll has a collaboration with Møbelkraft, and new possibilities in ongoing projects that are beneficial for the furniture Industry.

Are we doing the right things? How to prioritize de most materiality sustainable conditions? And how to communicate our sustainable presentations to our stakeholders?

At this step conducting a materiality assessment can be of great help. This assessment uncovers relevant, social and environmental issues that Slettvoll is facing and prioritizes them according to their importance from an economic, social and environmental point of view. The SDGs can also be included to illustrate how these goals can be used in the process of developing a more sustainable business model.

How can we rig our organization to promote and follow up on our sustainability presentations? How can we measure and communicate presentations internally and externally? Are we able to capture the business-related consequences of our sustainability improvements?

A good model to address at this stage is the CapSEM model, see https://bh4s.no/toolbox/sdgs-and-capsem-model. It is important to measure and monitor progress. At Slettvoll we use tools from the three first levels of the CapSEM – model. Our sustainability performance is planned to be communicated both externally and internally. More on our work at this stage can be found at Tools to address and measure impact, and Reporting & communicating progress.

What features of our business model can we experiment with? How can we implement pilots to make our business model more sustainable?

Before going through with making changes to our business model, we would perform experimentations. We are looking into several solution moving forward. Before fully implementing these solutions, it is wise to perform experimentations and testing. This to uncover what works, why it works, and to increase the possibility for success.

How can the company integrate sustainability considerations in their value propositions? How can the company deliver its value propositions in a more sustainable way? How can the company charge their customers in other ways?

After experimenting and testing, we would be ready to redesign our business model. This means changing how Slettvoll creates, delivers, and captures value, with the aim of becoming both profitable and sustainable.

Our sustainability efforts, plans going forward, as well as opportunities, will influence our business in a way that can lead to a more circular and sustainable business model. Of the five circular business models identified by Accenture, we will be within product life extension and recovery and recycling. See https://bh4s.no/sustainable-business-model-archetypes/circular-economy-business-models

Product life extension

Having great focus on high quality furniture, as well as providing good information on maintaining the products, Slettvoll prolongs the furniture lifespan.

Recovery and recycling

Within Recovery and recycling, we will continue to look for industrial symbiosis, as with the example of the cooperation with textile company Really. This would lead to upcycling of resources that normally would go to waste. In addition, we will be using more recycled material, as well as reducing the use of packaging.