This cute video shows young apprentices coming up with business ideas which are sustainable.
Featuring what could be the future's next big entrepreneurs, the footage shows them explaining how they'd make a shop eco-friendly, whether they'd pay staff an equal wage no matter their age or gender, and what their ideal working hours would be.
Growing up in a world aiming to be sustainable, these youngsters may be greener than many adults – with suggestions including having solar panels on the roof of all business premises, upcycling furniture, and using eco-friendly packaging.
Holding their grand business ideas up for people to read, nine-year-old Henry said: “What makes a boss good is friendship, kindness, and helping each other.”
However, Reya, also nine, said: “I’d tell them what to do.”
And Lydia, aged nine, added: “I wouldn’t employ a celebrity because they expect to be a bit more appreciated and get more salary – they would probably expect that because they’re famous or whatever.”
It comes as a poll of 500 small- to medium-sized business owners found 62 per cent admitted sustainability goals have taken a back seat during the cost-of-living crisis.
On average, they don’t believe they’ll reach their green targets for another 14 months.
And maximising eco-friendliness only ranked fourth in the list of priorities for the next year – with simply bringing in more money topping the list.
Second was investing to grow the business, and the third most-common goal was to reach new customer bases.
Alexander Allen, UK managing director for Funding Circle, which commissioned the research, said: “Getting greener is vital for everyone, from huge corporations to smaller businesses.
“And of course, as individuals we all have a part to play as well, in ensuring there is a future for younger generations to enjoy.
“However, with a cost-of-living crisis to contend , it can be easy to let standards slip in the name of cutting costs.”
Despite cutting back on green measures, 77 per cent of respondents agree that having a business that is seen as being environmentally friendly is now crucial in attracting quality employees.
But one in ten admit they are not entirely sure about the most efficient ways to cut energy costs in their business.
Nearly four in ten (39 per cent) said the cost-of-living increases will be the single biggest challenge in their business over the next year.
Another 30 per cent will struggle to maintain a steady cash flow, while 20 per cent will have trouble paying for raw materials.
A further one in five admit prioritising environmentally friendly practices will be a big challenge.
But despite the difficulties faced, 39 per cent have reduced their energy use in general, and 33 per cent have started recycling more paper products.
Another 31 per cent make sure to turn off electricity and heating systems every evening, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
Alexander Allen, at Funding Circle, added: “Making small incremental changes to go slightly greener doesn’t have to cost a lot, or take a huge amount of effort.
“Things like only heating spaces that get used, during times they’re occupied, is a pretty easy fix that needs to become second nature.
“This could be a great place to start and could build the foundations in your company, so bigger initiatives can be explored as time and cost allows.”
UK SMALL BUSINESSES’ TOP PRIORITIES OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS:
- To bring in more money
- Investing to grow the business
- To reach a new customer base
- Maximising your eco-friendliness
- To generate returning customers
- To release new products
- To simply survive the year
- To build a new/updated website
- To introduce the business to a new country/location
- To give money back to the local area/community
