Latest / The DEX Show: A Show for IT Change Makers / EARTH DAY SPECIAL: Sustainability in the Digital Age (w/ Raphael Anthamatten and Nina Zellweger)

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EARTH DAY SPECIAL: Sustainability in the Digital Age (w/ Raphael Anthamatten and Nina Zellweger) · The DEX Show: A Show for IT Change Makers

0:01
Welcome it, change Makers to the Deck Show with Tim Flower and Tom McGrath.
0:07
Let's get into it. Hello change Makers, and Happy Earth Day everybody.
0:13
Yes, I think it's the first time in the Deck Show's quite long
0:16
history, but we've managed to release a thematically appropriate episode on a special occasion
0:23
and absolutely nail it, but absolutely nail it. We have. It is
0:27
of course Earth Day, and yes, as you might predict, we are
0:32
talking green ita and sustainable technological use, but we're doing it in a different
0:38
way because we're joined by two very very special guests today and they are Raphael
0:43
Onto Matton and Nina Zellweger, and they are both Next Link colleagues. Here.
0:50
Rath, as we know him, is IT director and Nina is a
0:53
head of corporate Social Responsibility and we're going to be hearing about how Next Link
0:59
uses it so own sustainable dex technology to actually improve sustainability of the organization.
1:06
So amazing theme, really really looking forward to it, and let's let's welcome
1:10
our guests. Raft. First of all, great to see first time on
1:14
the show. How are you doing today? Hi? Tom, very good,
1:17
Thanks for having me on the show today. I am Rafa Lanta Matton
1:19
the IT director at Nexting, calling from our locent office in Switzerland. My
1:26
role involves driving technological innovation on overseeing the global strategy or for IT department.
1:34
I am passionate about leveraging technology to improve the digital workplace and right now committed
1:41
to integrating sustainable practices into our daily operations. I look forward to sharing insights
1:48
today on how we are improving our sustainability practices here at Nexting with you guys.
1:53
Thanks Rah, that's great, that's great. In Nina, it was
1:57
your idea. You came to us with his brill suggestion for a show,
2:00
so welcome to you too. Please introduce yourself to the audience. Also,
2:06
thank you, Thank you very much. Tom. I'm really excited to be
2:09
here as well on the text show. So yeah. On my side,
2:15
like you mentioned on your intro, I'm in charge and leading our corporate social
2:21
responsibility initiative within our company. And I'm also based in Los Ange, Switzerland,
2:28
so next to Rafael as well. And I joined next Thing five years
2:32
ago to really launch program that would be linked to the environment, such as
2:38
measuring our carbon footprint, implementing initiative to reduce our emissions, but also social
2:45
initiative to really make sure that we foster a culture where community engagement is really
2:52
part of who we are at Nextink Splendid Splendid, and we're going to get
2:55
into sustainability. But obviously Next Thing is the digital employee experience company, and
3:01
people will be relieved to hender that but as Next Thing, because we do
3:06
enjoy a fantastic digital employee experience every day of the week. Of course,
3:12
Rah always wanted to ask you, now we've got your own the show.
3:15
There's no there's no avoiding it, no escaping it's to what extent does it?
3:21
Next think, in the way you plan it and manage it, do
3:23
you seek to reflect those core principles around decks And to what extent do you
3:30
use any even maybe sometimes test Next Thing solutions and innovations. Yeah, sure,
3:36
so I am deeply committed to ensuring that our IT operations not only reflect
3:42
but also actively embody the core principles of decks. You know, day to
3:46
the operations we leverage, of course Next Thing analytics and automation capabilities to continuously
3:53
monitor and antimas the digital environment. This allows us to proactively address potentially issues
4:00
before they even raise an impact productivity. Moreover, we are not just simple
4:05
users of the next Thing solution. We are actively contributing to the product evolution
4:12
how by sharing early feedbacks with the product engineers, with our eng ngeneers as
4:16
well. We are also doing some advanced testing. We are also customer zero
4:23
known as is at Next Thing, which means that we are the first one
4:27
to get the first release and then we get a chance to test the new
4:30
solutions and module and also sometimes we can even being lucky enough to influence the
4:38
product development roadmap. So before I get too much enthusiastic about technology, I
4:45
just want to reflect on this one and just mention that our commitment to decks
4:48
is not just about technology. It's about people and today this is part of
4:54
our north starts and can be summarized like this, make every interaction action with
5:00
it positive. And what do I mean by it. It's not only it
5:04
systems, it's everything. It systems, it devices, it processes, and
5:11
of course it people. So of course the goal is to use these people
5:15
first approach because I strongly believe that the people first approach is the essense of
5:20
desk and today it is at the art of everything we do at Next Thing.
5:26
Fabulous. And now let's let's get into the green theme. Today's green
5:32
theme for Earth Day, right interested though, first of all leading up to
5:36
it, how did how did your career path lead you to this role where
5:40
you look over our CSR and how did Next Thing's green it journey begin?
5:47
So actually I have a background in hospitality and management, so you may wonder
5:54
what am I doing here, but I had work opportunities in the past to
5:59
work broad and I think it really allowed me to see different phases of our
6:04
world and also helped me realize what privilege means. And I think that's where
6:13
it really triggered a carriage change. So a door opened at Next Think and
6:18
today guiding project that can really contribute positively to our people and our environment is
6:25
a role that is really fulfilling me. And regarding your second question about how
6:31
Green Nightly started at Next Thing, so I remember that we initiated the discussion
6:39
around this topic maybe three years ago approximately, But like many things, I
6:46
think you cannot really improve what you don't measure. So we did our first
6:51
carbon footprint analysis in twenty twenty two to measure our Next Thing greenhouse gas emission
6:57
and with the nature of our business. You see our main sources of greenhouse
7:01
as a mission, we're linked to our digital operations. So there was no
7:06
doubt that one of the major action items that we had to start tackling was
7:12
linked to green it. And that's when we decided to launch a green eighty
7:16
strategy. Fantastic. And how was that project or proposal received from an IT
7:24
perspective, You can be honest, by the way, and has it been
7:29
I know, don't tell it was just the I'm sure. And has it
7:33
been a challenge to add it to your operations or just a great opportunity to
7:39
try something new within the team? Yeah, and tempted to say that,
7:42
you know, every project or every change is coming with both challenges and opportunities.
7:47
So of course green it or sustainability is a topic for IT that has
7:53
been there for years. I mean it's been ten years at least that we
7:56
are speaking about green it. It chose the main folks, was clearly on
8:01
the cost because obviously that was something that has to do with all the data
8:05
centers, first server sign and of course when the vendors were selling green it,
8:13
as we were translating that into we are simply going to safe cost because
8:20
we have to pay for energy now it has changed and i'm as said that
8:24
from an Arctic perspective. The project was met with a lot of enthusiasm as
8:30
it presented an opportunity to integrate sustainable practices which we never did before into our
8:35
operations. What is the challenge is simply integrating as BTI standards. That and
8:45
then implementing those require a very deep review of our operations in order to identify.
8:52
Also the challenge is of course to measure and then we have to implement
8:56
more sustainable practices. But you know, without data, that's thing that is
9:00
impossible to achieve. And then of course you know that's that's a topic for
9:07
it because you know, we are always seen like you know, as a
9:09
backs as a back end function. But this project also announced team collaboration because
9:16
that is not a projector initiative you can do by yourself. This is not
9:22
an IT initiative, This is not an HR or people initiative only. This
9:26
is a global initiative. So this communication needs to happen and of course we
9:31
are really happy that we didn't have to initiate those thanks to Nina who organize
9:37
a lot of stuff to facilitate that. And but right now that we are
9:43
in the process of implementing the mitigations, I musta that in conclusion this project
9:50
exactly if I simply I can drive positive environmental change, and this is possible.
9:54
Of course, I mussa that it has to do with some generation difference.
10:01
I'm obviously an old guy, so I'm a Jenis guy, and of
10:05
course I have maybe you know, for me, I knew from the staff
10:09
that the planet that I was going to pass to my kids were going to
10:16
be maybe in a less beautiful state, but of course I didn't expect to
10:20
be that bad. And of course I'm really happy that to see that people
10:24
that are coming in that are younger people, you know gen z and some
10:30
they're already educated, so we don't need to educate them. They already have
10:33
this in man. And for us that that is also an opportunity, you
10:37
know, to show our people that we can really work on some tasks that
10:43
really have an impact not only on their work but mostly on the day to
10:48
day life. So very excited. To be honest, I was a little
10:52
bit surprised, I must confess, but don't know, really that's abs really
10:56
a good project. That's cool. That's cool. Need a next think is
11:00
a net zero committed company, what's your understanding generally of how big a role
11:05
it plays in carbon emissions in general as it pertains to a business. So
11:13
yeah, I have read an interesting article about digital transformation from the Economic Forum,
11:20
and you know, despite many efforts in the corporate world, there are
11:24
current policies that companies are implementing or pledging for, but we are not on
11:31
the right path to meet the current goals of the Paris Agreement to reach net
11:35
zero. But what was interesting in this article is that the digital can help,
11:41
and I totally agree with that because what's interesting to see here is that
11:46
the complexity is that technology really help business growth in so many ways. And
11:52
of course, don't get me wrong, we know that we need some technologies
11:56
to perform our jobs and that's super crucial. But besides this, there is
12:01
also a reality that emission link to the digital sector will continue growing drastically,
12:07
so we really must address the challenge of it by adopting sustainable AITYA practices that
12:13
will really help us to reach our climate ambitions without impacting companies efficiency and really
12:20
start using technology in a small way and with the right tools, and what
12:26
about our own climate objectives? What are our ambitions here? So at NEX
12:33
think we have like fifty percent of our CO two emission that come from our
12:39
digital operation, which is not really surprising because we are software company, so
12:43
that was logical number that we were expecting. So to reach our neight zero
12:48
objectives, we have first implementing short term targets to reach by twenty thirty.
12:54
So in terms of IT action item, we really want to reduce thirty percent
13:00
of our IT assets. I mean, we want to make sure that thirty
13:05
percent of our IT assets is lasting two more years by refurbishing some of our
13:09
machines for example, or also raising internal awareness on how everyone can help to
13:16
take care of the equipment to make it lasts longer. Another example is that
13:22
is linked to procurements, So we really want to partner with suppliers that have
13:26
the same engagement that we have regarding net zero targets. So that's going to
13:31
be a very important piece of our strategy. And in terms of servers,
13:35
the last example that I can share here, so in terms of servers that
13:41
we that we are using for our IT operation, we really want to divide
13:46
by four the number of physical servers that we are that we currently have by
13:52
twenty thirty, So lots is cooking for Rappels team, but of course we
13:56
will continue working together on this on the subjectives fantastic and what are the initiatives
14:07
or processes that have already been implemented in our invest journey that's being described yep.
14:16
So you know when it comes to implement a new standard, there is
14:20
no secret. We barely all follow the same metaology or process. The first
14:24
thing to do is step one is understand the standard and its objectives. Generally,
14:31
step two is to get the data, because you know it's impossible to
14:33
improve something that you cannot even measure. Then the third part is where you
14:39
compare the data with the objectives. So this is known more or less as
14:43
a GABA assessment and the step number four you need to remediate to meet the
14:48
objectives. So the first step we have taken, as I said before,
14:54
since we didn't have data, was to gather those data. So the first
14:58
step we have taken is to leverage Next Sustainable Solutions pack to get the data
15:03
unvaluable insights to optimize or it footprints what we notice. La Nina said Lackina
15:09
mentioned before, the majority of our gas emissions is coming from our end devices,
15:15
so of course, so there is no secret that we focused on an
15:18
user devices. So one of the first key initiative that we've implemented is the
15:24
refresh of our laptop policy. What we have done is we have simply extended
15:31
the laptop life cycle two four years instead of three and are in the course
15:37
of exploring device as a service option for twenty twenty five. By doing so,
15:43
we are not only optimizing our resources, but we're also significantly reducing our
15:48
environmental food print. Finally, we have published a new greeniti policies that reinforce
15:54
our dedication to minimizing our carbon footprints. Ender, if I have to resume,
16:03
what we have done is basically we have adapted energy efficient practices on products,
16:10
ensuring that systeamility consideration are fully part of our decision making process. Lack
16:15
cost, availability, quality of service are We have simply added to stability as
16:21
another factor for to make better decisions. Amazing. Let's imagine you're talking to
16:30
a pair similar situation. Their colleagues have come to them with this completely unwelcome,
16:36
crazy scheme like like you, I'm just kidding you know, and you
16:41
had to give them advice is to have to ensure success going forward? What
16:45
would that advice be? Uh, the more I think about it, I
16:52
think I can share true advice with those people. The first one is,
16:56
as I said before, do not do that all lot. Do not do
17:00
it as an IT initiative, because that is probably going to best to be
17:06
the best recipe for disaster. So the first thing you need to do is
17:10
to align with the core business strategy. Basically, you need to ensure that
17:15
your as Bitter objectives are in sync with your company's called mission, values and
17:18
culture, because if that's not the case, you will have in our time
17:22
and again without any management support, is going to be very hard to make
17:27
sure that your employee are really engaged. The second thing is as I said
17:33
in twenty twenty four, we all speak about AI, but again AI is
17:38
data, So without data, you've got nothing. So then you need and
17:44
again today in today's world, everything is that a driven decision. So basically
17:48
you need to get proper data in order to make proper decisions. In our
17:53
case, we are simply UTILIZI utilizing next thing Sustainable Solution pack because it does
17:59
provide the insight that we need in order to do that. Then the sole
18:03
advice I would share is to keep an eye on the employee engagement and why
18:08
because you will see that employee at all levels play a crucial role in your
18:15
systemaility efforts. As I said, this is not something that should be led
18:18
by it. This is the company's process. So you need to educate them
18:26
about the new policies like the laptop, you know, to come up with
18:29
some greenity policies, to send them awareness campaign so that they are aware.
18:36
You simply need to guide them in order to make better decisions and also that
18:41
we also ensure that people are better adhering to your new proposals of policies.
18:48
To do so, we are simply utilizing next thing engage because this is built
18:52
for that and this is a great way to raise awareness and ensure employee actually
18:56
engage. And then of course the result is we expect them to make really
19:00
better decisions and then not only looking at their own comfort, but also looking
19:07
at how they are currently impacting the planet by maybe requesting another laptop, you
19:14
know, by maybe or we have also some use case where people love to
19:18
use shadow it. And then we tend to always look at it from the
19:22
security point of view. But that's not all think about it, because again
19:26
we have people that are using systems and those systems are consuming energy and so
19:33
again so no, so it's all about all those decisions, and then you
19:37
know there is not And then we strongly believed that by letting people know,
19:42
by giving them this advantage of knowing what they are doing, will help them
19:48
making better environmental friendly decisions. Fantastic question for you both, Penn, ultimate
19:55
question, but it's one for each of you, Nina, starting with yourself.
20:00
In addition to these organizational processes, what can next thing employees do to
20:07
take part in the transition and to support our collective sustainability efforts. Yeah,
20:12
so I think for fl mentioned something very interesting just before, but it's right.
20:18
I mean, such a transition won't be accomplished unless we have a committed
20:23
entering team on the topics. So we offer. We often hear that people
20:30
are reluctant to to changes, but I strongly believe that in the in the
20:36
power of awareness and education, So we work with smart people around us.
20:41
So if you explain why those changes must happen, we will most likely convince
20:45
your audience. That's the right thing to do, right and people won't see
20:51
that as a as a constraint. So that's the perfect example of one of
20:53
my whole role here at Next Thing is really to drive this change through through
21:00
whenness. And luckily I'm not alone because three years ago we have we have
21:04
created an affinity group called Print Thinkers, and this team is really encouraging a
21:11
culture where environmental aspects are priority in business decision in order to reduce our carbon
21:18
footprint. And we also drive positive changes through awareness and initiative. So I
21:25
think Raphael you you were quite happy that in a few few months back,
21:29
I believe we have organized a digital frisk with your team, so basically it
21:33
was a collaborative activity to really understand the environmental consequences of all the all the
21:41
digital technology. So yeah, that's that was great. Nice anything Nina's forgotten
21:48
raps that you took one of yours to be honest, No, that's I
21:52
tend to agree with with what in that said. And as I said,
21:56
as I said before nexting employees today, there is imprepay a crucial role in
22:00
supporting our sustainability efforts because, as we mentioned, fifty percent of all total
22:06
emissions are coming from end user devices and who is using those devices or users?
22:11
So what do we do? Basically three steps. The first one is
22:15
our employee are simply encouraged to adopt greenity habets in their daily work, which
22:22
includes responsible use of resources. How do we do that, as I said
22:26
before, by setting them awareness contains by you know, letting them all about
22:32
why we do this change because as in as said, those are small people.
22:34
So once they understand why we are reluctant in simply replacing their laptops or
22:41
while we are reluctant to let them keep their laptops at home at some point
22:47
visually important. Secondly, as I mentioned, we have a laptop policy in
22:52
place that extends the life cycle of devices and these promote sustainability and I can
22:56
tell you our employees are integral to this. Police see success simply by aiding
23:02
to the guidelines and participating in recycling or retribution programs. Lastly, or green
23:07
it policy guys employee in making environmental friendly decisions when it comes to it equipment
23:15
on services. And this is how we make things up. And that next
23:18
thing, love it Nina, you brought us the topic today. It's been
23:22
a great conversation. So you get the last question, okay, and that
23:26
is one of the next big milestones and innovations, but really excite you in
23:30
your role and as a next thinker in this journey we've been describing her.
23:37
So yeah, there are so many, so many things that I'm excited about.
23:42
And Raphael, this is very sincere, but I'm really excited to know
23:48
that we're going to work continue working together and with your team to really find
23:52
the best action to implement internally to really reach our ambitious targets. We mentioned
24:00
it during the discussion today, but it's only through collaboration and breaking silos that
24:04
we will be able to accomplish great things. It's no longer one department objective.
24:11
We are one team in this. We have a common objective and we
24:15
need to count on each other's skills and expertise to continue innovating into our processes
24:22
and on behalf of And I think I have recently joined a green it club
24:27
to help us build best practices and share our knowledge with actors from different industries,
24:33
and I think that's really precious because we all have similar challenges to overcome,
24:38
but growing a network of green it players can I think can really lead
24:44
to a snowball effect if you see what I'm in and with the aim to
24:48
really reduce our digital impact. And last but not list, I'm really excited
24:53
about the upcoming innovation of our product solution team that are really working to to
25:00
ensure that we are offering the right tool that we'll have that will help our
25:03
customer to reach their own climate ambitions as well and creating a product which is
25:10
aligned with reporting regulation that are also entering into force today. So at the
25:15
end, building a sustainable digital workplace is possible, and I believe we can
25:21
start today. Fantastic final words, Nina, and a lot a lot of
25:27
innovation and inspiration in that in that conversation both of you. Thank you so
25:33
much of that. If you if you're listening and you're next Thnker, hopefully
25:37
you've got some ideas we didn't already know where you can get involved in helping
25:40
helping this organization become more sustainable and helping the well become more sustainable in general.
25:45
Perhaps you're listening, you're an IT professional and you're interested in some of
25:49
the solutions that we've teased here. Well, we will include links in the
25:53
show notes so you can go and find out more and maybe hopefully implement them
25:57
yourselves and your own or can izations, or encourage colleagues to do so.
26:03
Just remains for me to say, thank you so much Nina for bringing this
26:06
topic. Thank you for your thoughts today. Rath, great to have you
26:10
on the show for the first time. It's been wonderful to speak to you
26:12
both. Thank you so much, Thank you done, Thank you very much.
26:17
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26:36
head over to Nextthink dot com. Thank you so much for listening.
26:38
Until next time.