For small business owners, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) can still sound like something cooked up in a boardroom full of corporate suits. Maybe you’ve heard, “It’s just a passing trend,” or “It’s for the big guys, not me.” But here’s what’s really happening now and why even the skeptics should pay attention.

What Is ESG & Why Should I Care?

ESG covers how your business impacts the environment, how you treat your people and your community, and whether you’re running things ethically and transparently. It boils down to three simple questions:

• Are you making choices that are good for the planet?
• Are you treating people fairly?
• Are you running your business honestly?

That’s not just PR fluff. These are the questions customers, employees, lenders, and regulators are asking right now.

To The Skeptics: Why ESG Isn’t Going Anywhere

Let’s tackle a few common pushbacks - because we know you’re not here for blind faith.

“Isn’t this just a fad?”

Nope. Regulations are rolling out globally and locally; governments everywhere are cracking down on transparency. You may not see laws on your doorstep yet, but they’re around the corner.

“This is just for big companies.”

Absolutely not. Banks, investors, and supply chain partners are starting to require even smaller companies to demonstrate basic ESG practices. If you want to work with bigger partners, get financing, or win competitive bids, you’ll need to show you’re on board. They are already using it; you maybe just don’t know it.

“My customers don’t care.”

Surveys keep showing a shift, especially with younger generations toward supporting businesses that have values and can prove them. Even in traditional industries, loyalty is following businesses that are transparent and responsible.

What Are People Actually Doing?

Here’s how small businesses are answering the ESG call without breaking the bank or turning into activists overnight:

• Measuring Impact: Start simple. Track things like waste, energy use, or how often you partner with local suppliers. If you can measure it, you can improve it. Everyone wants to erode waste or get better margins!
• Building Inclusive Cultures: Diversity, fair pay, training. These aren’t just “nice-to-haves” anymore, they boost productivity and retention.
• Transparent Communication: If you’re working on ESG, say so. Share your challenges, your progress, and your wins. Authenticity matters more than perfection.
• Responsible Governance: Tighten up your processes. Document decisions. Make policies clear and accessible even if you’re only a team of five! This is important and will increase efficiencies into the future.

The Bottom Line: Risk, Reward & Future-Proofing

Ignoring ESG adds risk - operational, reputational, and yes, financial. Why? Because if you get caught flat-footed as requirements get stricter (or as a customer base gets more discerning), catching up is much harder than starting now.

But here’s the upside:

• Easier access to loans and investment
• Winning more contracts and bigger partners
• Attracting the best talent
• Protecting your reputation in a world that’s watching more closely

Final Thought: ESG Isn’t About Perfection

It’s about progress and transparency. Small business leaders willing to engage, learn, and communicate openly about ESG will stand out no matter how much noise is out there.

So, even if you’re skeptical, start asking the questions. Your future self (and your business) will thank you.

We have a number of different ways to help you on this journey at Power Tynan from detailed ESG programmes to accounting for ESG, materiality of ESG and how it may affect you. We provide services ranging from strategy and planning or as simple as helping you do a waste audit of your business. We can fit with your journey and your success, and we can tailor what we do to what you want or need.

Please contact us so we can support you on this journey.