Tourism operator Kiwi Experience realised that growing sustainable business value was not going to be about simply putting more buses on the road.

To prepare itself for a highly competitive, price-driven market that was increasingly aware of social and environmental responsibility, Kiwi Experience needed a smarter approach to growth; one that would not come at a cost to the beautiful and unique New Zealand experience. 

Kiwi Experience enrolled a team to the Adding Sustainable Value strategy-to-action course run by The Natural Step and Otago Polytechnic. With four inspiring workshops, the team methodically applied the strategic planning framework. From that came a solid strategy driven by a set of ambitious fitness goals around its footprint, influence, team and shareholder value.

The results have been impressive.  The strategic challenges have shifted mind-sets about product, process and people to provoke creative and innovative ideas. Fuel efficiency targets have been smashed, with close to 10% savings. An inspired review of marketing has avoided almost 3 million sheets of A5 paper with an immediate saving of almost $50,000 and a new online platform that offers future advertising revenue.  A focus on waste reduction has spawned branded re-usable coffee cups, bags and water bottles avoiding hundreds of thousands of single-use plastics from even thinking about causing a problem.

Going wider, a first set of community projects has been launched and will grow to 21 by 2018 which, with customer involvement, gives a meaningful way to ‘muck in’ whilst offsetting their carbon footprint.  And then there’s the amazingly popular, solar powered glamping tents offering a night of luxury under the stars. All great ideas. It’s been great for the company’s brand and team morale is high.