Tomas Svoboda is the CEO of Sustainova – the company promoting the film “Beyond Zero”. He will be a special guest at the film’s premiere in Bulgaria, which will take place on May 15 at Cine Grand, Park Center Sofia, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
The transformation of the global carpet company Interface, presented in the film “Beyond Zero” by Nathan Havey, is one of the most inspiring case studies in modern business history. Here’s what Tomas Svoboda shared with the audience of ESGnews.bg ahead of the event in Sofia on May 15:
What made you decide to promote “Beyond Zero”?
Тhat was an easy decision to make. When I watched the film 2.5 years ago, I fell in love with the business story with “happy ending”. As if we want to motivate companies to implement sustainability for a better future for us and our children, the real changemakers are companies. So when I watched this amazing case study, it was a no brainer for me to help it share the story to companies around the world. A true economic and cultural masterpiece.
The story of Ray Anderson, the founder of Interface, is both inspiring and deeply human. What do you think makes a sustainable leader in today’s world?
People like Ray Anderson are a rare number in this world unfortunately. There are not that many entrepreneurs, who would sacrifice profits for something impactful. We don’t have yet enough leaders who would choose what is right before what is easy. With stories like this, I can see that we inspire more leaders who just need sometimes some extra information, inspiration or kick to see that if they make the right decision, it will be successful for them and their business long-term. So sustainable leader for me is a person who chooses what’s right rather than what’s easy.
How can the example of Interface inspire local business leaders to take bolder steps toward decarbonization?
Interface is giving us a gift or being one of the first who starting with decarbonization, it was in 1994 when Ray Anderson decided to transform his business. So Interface shows us 30 years of experience which can give us a summary of what works well, and what doesn’t to prevent failures and secure long-term gains. Not only from a perspective of growing revenues, but also well set up culture, which leads to high employees loyalty and that leads to stable growing business, international expansions, growing product/service portfolio, and also how to properly communicate their achievements. Interface won many global prestigious sustainability awards and their marketing strategy is focused on carbon-neutral carpet tiles. That sells!
What message do you believe is most important to take away from the film?
The film always brings lots of emotions to people, when the film ends, there’s always 5-10min silence as people think about their own actions, their companies, if what they do is right or wrong. I hope the main take away is, that this strong feeling will turn into positive action, ideally right after the film, and people will not give up, no matter what obstacles they will face.
Don’t be afraid to believe yourself when you are not sure how the society/stakeholders will take it. If you truly believe that what you want to do is right for the company, for people/stakeholders and the planet, just do it. Have only plan A and 100% focus on it.
What was your personal reaction when you first watched the film? Was there a specific moment that stayed with you?
For me it is the leadership of Ray Anderson. He is my true hero and a person I look up to. Even tho, he is not with us anymore, I have him as my mentor inside my head. And when I feel giving up sometimes, I think of him and what he had to go through (and the film shows it), and I get ignited again, built that confidence and keep going.
And from business perspective, when I watched the film, my first reaction was, that all companies around the world need to watch it. And as the film is licensed, I didn’t hesitate to reach out to the film director, give him my vision and how many companies need to see it, and fortunately he gave me the rights and since then, we made sure that over 3000 companies watched the film in person with us and our partners like you. We are still in the beginning, a million of companies is the next milestone
You can reserve your seat HERE!
The premiere of the film “Beyond Zero” in Bulgaria will take place on May 15 at Cine Grand, Park Center Sofia, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
