AMBIT, in collaboration with key regional entities, has successfully rolled out the ALLVIEW coaching program as part of a broader initiative aimed at supporting the integration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices in Catalan companies within the furnishings sector. The initiative, which took place from November 2023 to February 2024, involved six joint sessions as well as personalized coaching tailored to individual company needs.
This project is a key component of a regional effort to foster CSR in the local business environment. AMBIT coached 11 companies from its cluster, including prominent names such as Estiluz, FARO, Kave Home, and Nomon. Additionally, six other companies from the lighting sector, supported by a regional cluster specialized in this area, participated in the process. The coaching sessions addressed essential CSR issues, offering both group-based and customized assistance designed to promote the adoption of sustainable business practices over the short, medium, and long term.
The coaching process was structured into four key phases, each aimed at guiding companies through a comprehensive journey toward understanding and implementing CSR. The first phase focused on a sector-wide analysis of the furnishings industry, looking at European and global trends to help companies contextualize their roles within the broader market. With the support of consulting firm R4S, AMBIT engaged companies in an in-depth exploration of the industry’s sustainability challenges and opportunities. This collaborative effort allowed participating companies to gain a clearer understanding of the most pressing issues they face.
The second phase centered on identifying four critical sustainability challenges that the companies deemed most relevant to their operations: talent retention, difficulties in change management and communication, transportation-related pollution, and the intensive use of resources. These key areas of concern helped narrow the focus of the subsequent coaching sessions and shaped the development of personalized CSR strategies for each company. Through this targeted approach, the coaching program offered practical solutions to the sector’s most pressing sustainability problems.
In the third phase, companies undertook a thorough assessment of their current CSR maturity levels. Using the B-Corp self-assessment tool, widely recognized as one of the most advanced tools for evaluating CSR progress, companies were able to diagnose their strengths and weaknesses in the area of sustainability. This phase was crucial for establishing a starting point from which each company could design a CSR strategy tailored to its specific needs and challenges. Joint evaluation sessions were held, along with individualized meetings, to ensure that each company received detailed, personalized guidance throughout the process.
The final phase of the coaching program involved the presentation of tailored solutions aimed at addressing both sector-wide and company-specific CSR challenges. AMBIT, along with its consulting partners, introduced companies to a variety of CSR best practices and real-life business cases that could serve as models for sustainable transformation. The companies were encouraged to adopt these practices according to their unique characteristics and strategic goals. During this phase, AMBIT also presented key outcomes from the ALLVIEW project, including training materials and platforms designed to support companies in their CSR journey.
In total, AMBIT provided 23 hours of coaching, comprising 16 hours of joint sessions and 7 hours of individual or small group sessions. Feedback from the companies has been overwhelmingly positive, with all participants completing the B-Corp self-assessment process and gaining a deeper understanding of how to integrate CSR into their business strategies. The initiative also fostered stronger collaboration and networking among the companies, creating a foundation for future partnerships and shared sustainability efforts.
AMBIT is pleased with the results of the coaching program, which exceeded initial expectations in terms of both participation and impact. The program not only helped companies improve their CSR practices but also demonstrated the potential for businesses in the furnishings sector to lead the way in sustainability. Moving forward, the companies involved are well-positioned to implement the strategies and solutions developed during the coaching, paving the way for a more sustainable and socially responsible future for the Catalan furnishings industry.