Not only is the word smile one of the longest words in the dictionary, but it's also the headlining title of Colgate's latest forward business plans. Following on from the success of the 2015-2020 people, performance, and planet strategy plan, Colgate have launched their 2025 sustainability and social impact plan. A plan that aims to push their various brands into developing sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices. Not only does Colgate's plan attempt to tackle the various growing physical environmental issues, but they plan to continue their social environmental initiatives. These initiatives have become increasingly important in the fallout of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This isn't Colgate's first venture into planning for the future either. However, their new plan is designed to tackle trending sustainability and social issues that have recently emerged. Issues like the increasing amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills and waterways, and lack of diversity amongst the workforces.

In our last article, we looked at how Ford Motor Company's forward planning provided them with a platform for continued success. Like Ford, Colgate have also been around for a very long time, boasting a proud 216-year history. A history rich with collaboration across their 33 brands that operate in over 80 countries. These collaborative experiences have provided Colgate with a diverse set of experiences and knowledge that best helped understand how to plan for the future.

Within their sustainability and social impact plan, Colgate have 3 key ambitions: Driving social impact, helping millions of homes, and preserving our environment. There are other initiatives that Colgate is working towards, however, those initiatives focus on continuing developments made from the 2015-2020 plan. These 3 key ambitions don't have any specific goals directly attached to them, rather they're broad directions on where Colgate envision their future direction going. Due to this, some of their targets extend beyond 2025 which has meant the forward planning has been designed to outline a path forward to achieving their future goals.

In the immediate future, Colgate's plans contain an element of awe based on their sheer magnitude and showcase their willingness to go above and beyond what is required in ensuring sustainability for all. They've committed towards having 100% of their packaging to being either recyclable, reusable, or compostable. A change being driven by concerns over the estimated 60% of the 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic produced since the early 1950's that ends up in landfills and the natural environment. They've also committed to achieving net-zero water usage amongst their water-stressed sites by 2025 with an extension on this to all their sites by 2030.

Stretching beyond 2025, Colgate's lofty ambitions don't end there. By 2030, they aim to run on 100% renewable energy, and by 2040 they aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

Whilst unlike Ford, whose forward planning was developed around an uncertain future, Colgate's future remains more straightforward. Their plans aren't set around significant redevelopment of their product offerings. Rather it's come as a result of ongoing trends dictating the future direction of how businesses will operate. A new type of environmental sustainability is emerging, and Colgate have signified their intentions to continue their illustrious 216-year history with their future plans.

Who knows how big the impact of achieving these goals will be, but one thing's for certain, Colgate are aiming for the stars.