Text version scenario

A team was preparing a bid for a large residential project. The customer involved was quite cost conscious and the team was carefully analyzing options with that in mind. Some team members insisted that they needed to present a more green solution than the client requested. They felt it was important to push customers to think bigger about being green. Other team members argued that they should commit to the basics and not raise the bar on sustainability. They felt that since this customer did not put a premium on green excellence, winning the bid on costs was more important. The project leader was wondering how to guide the team.

Discussion question

• Have you had a situation when you have had to raise the issue of green with a customer?
• How did you approach it?
• What did you learn from it?

Things to consider

We can learn from these situations to help us truly live our values. While there are no clear-cut solutions, we can consider the following actions:

• Discuss our values pro-actively with all employees and also customers to ensure Skanska’s commitment to green is appreciated by all.
• Display courage in speaking up about issues that impact future generations and listen with an open mind on suggestions that might come up”.
• Discuss ways in which you can use a difficult situation to enhance relationships with customers, employees such that Skanska’s reputation grows.
• Benchmark/Learn from colleagues how have dealt with similar situations

For more information on how to act read our Code of Conduct chapter on Climate and environment.