Coronavirus outbreak may lead to greater focus on sustainability and digitalization
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Bisnode today released its 2019 Sustainability Report, demonstrating another year of continued business focus on contributing to a sustainable future in the data and analytics ecosystem.
‘'The Coronavirus outbreak may lead to an increased focus on sustainability and digitalization, since sustainable and digitalized businesses are much more resilient and better equipped to face a pandemic threat such as the coronavirus. Looking back on 2019, we can see that digitalization and digital sustainability have actually become increasingly important for customers' trust in companies and their view of corporate brands. While a growing number of executives see significant potential in the use of digitalization, data, and analytics, we are also seeing individuals that do not see the value of this development due to lack of knowledge. We need to increase their understanding to get them onboard on the digital transformation journey”, said Bisnode CEO Magnus Silfverberg.
‘’With Bisnode being one of Europe’s leading suppliers of data and analytics, we have an obvious responsibility. Digital sustainability is not only our primary sustainability focus - it is the very core of our business, which today has proven to have a greater value than ever before. Currently, privacy is integral to our product development. Bisnode’s powerful, new One Data Platform has been designed not only with an ontologized cross-border European data-set but also with metadata on GDPR compliance built-in, making it unique in the world.’’
The report demonstrates the initiatives undertaken in the year across five areas: Digital Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusion, Environmental footprint, Sustainable value chain and Community Initiatives. With some of the highlights including:
Code of conduct
The Bisnode Code of Conduct has been updated and implemented across all Regions and Functions. In addition various group policies like Anti-Corruption, Whistleblowing, Data Ethics, Corporate Governance, Anti-sexual harassment policy have been reviewed during the year and made available to all employees through our common people platform. In a similar manner was Bisnode's Supplier Code of Conduct updated in 2019 and it applies to all partners delivering goods and services to Bisnode, including their sub-contractors. It outlines what Bisnode expect from its suppliers; respecting human rights, offering a safe and healthy workplace with good working conditions.
Environment initiatives
Environmentally friendly initiatives are encouraged at Bisnode. In several of Bisnode’s markets initiatives include reducing plastic use in our offices, using eco-friendly taxis, switching to electronic invoicing and an increased focus on the recycling of paper, plastic and IT hardware. Bisnode also urges all markets to procure energy from renewable sources, provided that it is accessible in their local market. On the agenda has also been to implement a stricter travel policy that outlines how all employees should consider the environment when planning a business trip. Employees are further encouraged to conduct online meetings if possible.
Compliance with regulations
Since GDPR came into effect in 2018, Bisnode has increased its efforts regarding the Information Obligation, updating policies and guidelines, working with a legitimate interest, privacy-by-design and cookie handling, continuing measures for information classification by confidentiality, data integrity, and availability (C.I.A classifications) and continued work with retention and data subject rights; all to ensure compliance.
Employees satisfaction
Our employee net promotor score has gone up significantly from -6 in 2017 to +16 in 2018 and further to +20 in 2019 indicating that our employees are engaged in their work and would recommend us as a place to work. Gender equality is important to Bisnode where currently 30% of the leaders at the company are women and during 2019 Bisnode Slovenia was the proud recipient of the GEMA (Gender Equality Management Assessment) certification for gender equality.
Customer satisfaction
Bisnode launched a new function in its product Smart Search which enables customers to find sustainable suppliers, customers, and cooperation partners. Artificial intelligence combined with an enormous database enables Bisnode to give a sustainability score to a website and includes these results in Smart Search. The service is also able to identify companies that have certificates related to sustainability - for example, Fair Trade. Overall 50% our customers gave a score of 9 or 10, compared to 36% in 2018.
About the sustainability report:
Over the past year, Bisnode has actively benchmarked its operations against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to achieve its strategic goals in sustainability. The report by Bisnode was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. Since 2015, Bisnode has been a signatory member to the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest sustainability initiative.
About Bisnode:
Bisnode, a leading, progressive data and analytics company in Europe, is building a brighter future using smart data. We have more than 2,100 passionate and curious employees who collaborate in 19 countries using analytics and scoring models to predict customer behavior, deliver remarkable insights, and ultimately find innovative solutions to enduring problems. Bisnode – data to drive you forward.
For more information kindly contact:
Head of HR Programs and Sustainability
Rahat Joshi
+46 70 895 48 39
rahat.joshi@bisnode.com
Chief Marketing Officer
Anna Albinsson
+46 73 158 5607
anna.albinsson@bisnode.com