Stimulate Collaborative Thinking

Update: 2019-03-18

The European Commission launched a multi-stakeholder platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back in 2017. In 2018 numerous meetings were held resulting in the joint report Europe moving towards a sustainable future – Contribution of the SDG Multi-Stakeholder Platform to the Reflection Paper “Towards a sustainable Europe by 2030”, issued in October 2018. It recognizes the importance of development and implementation of the EU overarching Sustainable Europe 2030 strategy that would guide all EU policies and programmes. Such strategy would support sustainable Europe beyond the 2030 Agenda and encourage EU to play an active role as coordinator and promotor of sustainable development, both in Europe and around the world.

As already defined in our previous report, collaboration is the word of future. Not only that, collaboration is recognized by the P21 Framework for 21st Century Learning as one of the key skills, along with creativity, critical thinking and communication. It is indispensable in the organizations where ability to work effectively and efficiently with others becomes critically important especially in the context of unstoppable digital revolution. It is also critical in resolving some of the most pressing sustainability challenge through mutually inclusive partnerships between business, government, civil society and other actors in order to achieve shared decision-making in problem resolutions.

SDGs to which we contribute:

Key Performance Indicators:

1new tool for collaboration

1national SDG collaboration project related to the first Croatian Voluntary National Report

2collaboration initiatives with partner organizations

3.33points (out of 4) of agreement that employees enjoy different opportunities to participate in initiatives and decision making (+0.63)

Collaboration Toolbox

In closer elaboration of Stimulate Collaboration Thinking we identified in beginning May 2018 that our key goals in this priority area will be advancing our consulting capabilities for collaboration together with creation of new solutions and services, as well as advancing our internal capabilities for collaboration. We also defined related activities, out of which Collaboration Toolbox was immediately recognized as activity of the outmost importance that will steer development of all other activities.

Collaboration Toolbox development started with preparation of internal collaboration workshop. Some essentials needed for deeper understanding of collaboration were presented, as well as six collaboration tools. H&P team first practiced each of the tools, and then evaluated their usefulness in client work and internal relations. Following the kick-off phase the concrete modules with tools for selected collaboration areas have been further developed in the second half of 2018. The finalization of Toolbox is expected in the first half of 2019.

National Multi-Stakeholder Platform

Andreja Pavlović, Board Member of H&P Croatia, was elected president of the CSR Association in the Croatian Chamber of Economy in June 2018. CSR Association gathers companies pioneering CSR or contributing to implementation of CSR in Croatia. In her new role she put a strong emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), i.e. strengthening co-operation with the public sector, especially the ministries tasked with responsibilities for implementation of SDGs and raising awareness of the importance of SDGs among the members of the Croatian Chamber of Economy and all stakeholders in the Republic of Croatia.

Through CSR Association she initiated meeting with the Ministry of the Foreign and European Affairs which is responsible for administrative and expert coordination of the activities related to the work of the National Council for Sustainable Development, founded in January 2018. The goal of the meeting was to offer support of the CSR Association to the Ministry in the setting up SDG related national follow up and review process, and especially in the preparation of the first national Voluntary National Report which is scheduled for 2019. The meeting took place in July 2018.

The goal for 2019 is to extend the partnership offer to other two competent ministries and to organize the first national SDGs conference on the high-level.

Various Stakeholder Engagements

We have sharpened our capacities for collaboration in finding solutions for some of the pressing sustainability challenges through various other partnerships:

We traditionally partnered with Advantage Austria with the aim to address the role of CSR in HR and the future of work, with a special emphasis on ongoing demographic crisis and shrinking workforce trends in the Republic of Croatia. The event provided a platform for thorough discussion among representatives of all three sectors about the problems, and the role of CSR in keeping and motivating employees.
We were partners in organising Best Stay conference which is more than a conference – it’s a thrilling 3-day experience where tourism professionals from all over Europe come to exchange experiences, share ideas, meet new business partners and learn what it takes to be the best in the business. The event took place in November 2018 and H&P held workshop on topic of “New marketing trends in hospitality”. Best Stay conference enabled us with the opportunity to learn a lot from hotel industry experts. The event concept allowed us to network with leading professionals and gave us a chance to present our solution.

One of the “big things” happening in 2019 will be an outreach in the direction of Social Labs development.

Internal Collaboration Capacities

2018 Workplace Assessment Survey results indicate that in relation to equal participation, which is important element of collaboration, H&P team feels “satisfied with the opportunities to participate in initiatives and decision-making”, an area with the greatest improvement in relation to the previous year. When it comes to shared sense of purpose, employees indicated that they don’t feel that important that their professional vision blends with the vision of H&P, which provides a ground for different perspectives.

Goals

Develop practical collaboration program
Make collaboration an ongoing process
Build our collaboration capacities
Start new collaboration partnerships
Build national SDG partnerships

What do our stakeholders say?

“Hauska & Partner is one of Croatia’s leading public relations consultancies, dedicated to advancing professionalism in all areas of strategic communications. They excel at building positive public awareness, especially on issues such as sustainable development. H&P are devoted to promoting corporate responsibility through strategic thinking and effective implementation of corporate campaigns. Through the years, experts from H&P have been instrumental in shaping the profession within and beyond The Croatian Association of Public Relations.“

Ana Tkalac Verčič, President, Croatian Public Relations Association

“Advantage Austria Zagreb, the representative office of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber in Zagreb, has over the past years worked closely with Hauska & Partner on our event series ‘CSR Matters’, which informs the Austrian Business Community in Croatia about CSR topics. Hauska & Partner not only guided us on topics of relevance for the Austrian Business Community but also provided invaluable input to our events via introductions to various topics and by leading through panel discussions. Working with the team of Hauska & Partner has always been both effective and very pleasant, and we look forward to our future co-operation.“

Sonja Holocher-Ertl, Director, Advantage Austria