Focus on what can be done!

This is exactly the same for my work at LIOF

All investments we make have an impact on our environment. And our environment determines which investments are needed. In other words, every choice you make as an entrepreneur has an impact on the world around you, and the world around you has an impact on your activities.

It is a trade-off

In finance, this is called ‘double materiality’. When this concept comes up at events or in conversations, I still often see confused looks. We all know roughly what it means, but again, not really. A shame! 

At such times, something bubbles up inside me 

When it comes to investments that can make an impact, I see entrepreneurs dropping out. While precisely a smart combination of the social and environmental side (how sustainable is it?) with the economic side (what does it cost and what does it yield?) is so important for the future. It offers a wonderful opportunity to be both profitable and sustainable!

Are you making enough of an impact as an entrepreneur? 

This is an important question when you enter into talks with LIOF as an entrepreneur. Are you already making impact or do you want to start making impact? Top, then we are happy to enter into talks with you to look at a possible investment in which we evaluate financial and social returns side by side. But if we then enter the management phase, we find that the focus is often still on money. While this is precisely the time to keep focusing on that impact and to strengthen it further! 

‘Don't solve problems, but see opportunities to do better. 
In other words, reverse thinking!’

The photo shows Rubia in her own vegetable garden.

I am the sustainability conscience ...

As an impact investing project manager, I try to work with my colleagues to see how they can work with the entrepreneur to take the business to the next level. Are you making an impact on the world? Then you might also be able to reduce your costs in the long run and thus earn smarter and sustainable profits. This will also make you more future-proof as a business. And yes, that can also have a positive impact on your figures. This side of business can be explored further by entrepreneurs.  

By the way, many entrepreneurs are already doing this! 

Often entrepreneurs do this without even realising it. My biggest tip of all? Try gaining insight into what you are already doing. And challenge yourself to take the next step here. Are you using mono-packaging? Great! Then your product is more likely to be on the shelves somewhere soon. But maybe you can package even smarter? Then don't wait, the future is now. 

I like to celebrate successes!

I still learn every day from my colleagues and all the entrepreneurs I get to work with. All of whom offer completely different perspectives from their own point of view. All this knowledge together is so valuable to become a future-proof Limburg. We are now shaping this world. How wonderful is it that I get to work on this every day?

‘Future-proofing business. I am happy to help with that.’

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What does dual materiality mean?

Dual materiality helps companies better understand how they are not only affected by, but also impact broader social and environmental issues. You look at 2 sides of what matters:

• How do changes in the world affect the company itself (financial materiality)? For example, how might climate change result in risks that increase a company's costs or reduce its profits?
• How does one's own business acitivity (in the chain) affect the world outside the company (impact materiality)? For example, how do a company's emissions contribute to climate change or how does a product affect our health?