Conducting Secondary Research for Client's Sustainable Practices and Compliance Requirements

Prior to the first official client meeting, student consultants need to do their “homework” and learn as much as possible (through secondary research) and gain a good initial understanding about their client’s organization/business, operations, and current sustainable practices. They also need to undertake a preliminary assessment of its key sustainability impacts and issues (current), and risks and opportunities (potential future). This is imperative so that when you have your first official meeting with your client, you are well-informed about these things and can make a good impression on the client. Also, so that you do not waste time asking the client for information that is already available in the public domain.  

You are required to conduct secondary research from various credible (reputed and trusted) sources to collect the requisite information

Company Background

• Industry, main activities, products, services
• Locations of HQ and other main operations/facilities; the particular facility/location that you are focusing on in this project
• Organization size in terms of small, medium or large; annual sales revenue, number of employees, etc.
• Legal ownership structure (public corporation, private corporation, partnership, proprietorship), owners or major shareholders
• Major customers (if B2B), or customer segments or types of customers
• Major competitors
• Origin (founder, year started) and brief history of development (key milestones)
• Future/growth plans

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

• What kinds of sustainability-related* laws and regulations apply to the client or its industry? *e.g. environment, health & safety (EHS), employee/labour/union related permits, licences, approvals and/or other government requirements or standards