"No people, no money, no clue"—this is the harsh reality many SMEs face when attempting a sustainability transition. While the demand for sustainable development is increasing, implementing this concept in a way that generates business value remains one of the greatest challenges for enterprises.
At DOMI’s forum, "Boss Talk Room – Investing in Sustainability: Business Opportunity or Unnecessary Cost?", three second-generation SME successors shared their experiences in the sustainability transition. For the first time, they revealed how they integrated sustainability into their business models to achieve long-term value.
Benchmarking Against Global Enterprises: How UZL Weaves Sustainability into Its Business Strategy
Since launching its sustainability initiatives, UZL has looked to multinational corporations as benchmarks, drawing inspiration from subsidiaries of P&G, Nestlé, and Unilever that successfully transitioned into B Corporations. According to Gary Hsieh, UZL’s Executive Vice President, while winning sustainability awards is a bonus, the core focus remains long-term corporate growth. He emphasized that linking "corporate sustainability efforts" with "sustainable product production" is a crucial mindset shift that helps differentiate the company from its competitors.
"Our goal is not just profitability but also ensuring our products make a positive impact on society and the environment," Hsieh explained. UZL has developed antibacterial yarns made from recycled pineapple leaf fibers, which not only reduce carbon emissions but also significantly cut water waste. This innovative approach aligns with sustainability principles while giving UZL a competitive edge in the market.
Most importantly, sustainability must start internally, ensuring full employee participation for an effective transition. "DOMI's sustainable business model journey provided the clarity I needed and gave me a clearer vision for the company’s future," Hsieh added.
Employee Well-being & Transparency: The Win-Win Sustainability Strategy of Jiapeng Plastics
At the forum, Ian Wang, Executive Vice President of Jiapeng Plastics, pointed out that many SMEs still view sustainability superficially—focusing only on low-carbon products and green branding. However, these are merely entry-level strategies. As market competition intensifies, such efforts will become basic expectations rather than differentiation factors.
"The real challenge lies in using ESG to create corporate competitiveness," Wang explained. He believes that making inspection reports fully transparent and prioritizing employee welfare and work-life balance can enhance employee cohesion during the sustainability transition and ultimately improve overall business performance.
As a result, Jiapeng Plastics has fully embraced the "S" (Social) and "G" (Governance) aspects of ESG, implementing a three-day weekend policy and full transparency in product inspections. These efforts led to a fourfold revenue increase over five years, a 6% profit margin growth, and 12 times more job applications compared to industry competitors.
However, Wang questioned whether this was enough. Through discussions with DOMI, Jiapeng Plastics started considering its broader environmental impact, especially regarding air pollution in Central Taiwan. Expanding sustainability efforts to benefit local communities became the company’s next goal.
"This was a perspective I had never considered before," Wang admitted. Inspired by DOMI’s approach, he began viewing products, operations, and supply chain relationships as integral parts of a business model. "Sustainability is not just about responsible products—it’s about transforming the entire way a company operates," he concluded.
A New Mission for Family Businesses: Shiang Cheng Hang’s Journey from Cultural Heritage to Sustainability
For the first time, Dio Chiu, Chairman of Shiang Cheng Hang, shared his personal journey of succeeding his family’s business and how he injected sustainability into an SME with over 60 years of history. Together with his brother, Han Chiu, they redefined the company’s core values of "care and commitment", focusing on employee well-being and the purpose behind their work.
After inviting Corey, DOMI Green’s founder, to conduct a team alignment workshop, the brothers witnessed significant changes within their workforce. Employees started understanding the value of sustainability, proactively making suggestions, and even negotiating with clients to transition from fax and paper-based processes to digital alternatives. Dio emphasized that DOMI’s sustainability model underscored the importance of internal team engagement—when employees find meaning in their work and actively participate, sustainability transitions can succeed. He humorously added, "When employees take initiative, the boss has less to worry about!"
Approaching sustainability from a corporate culture perspective, Dio Chiu firmly believes that sustainability is not just about environmental responsibility—it’s about employees’ sense of mission and pride in their work. When employees are internally motivated to embrace change, businesses can thrive and make a lasting impact.
From Puzzle to Journey: The Driving Force Behind Sustainability Transitions
The experiences shared by these SME leaders highlight that sustainability transitions are not one-time efforts but continuous learning, adaptation, and growth. Initially, many businesses engage in "puzzle-piece" sustainability—implementing fragmented efforts to meet external regulations. However, true transformation occurs when sustainability reshapes the entire business model from within. By aligning economic benefits with sustainability values, companies can gradually integrate sustainability into their core operations.
Sustainability is no longer just a goal but an ongoing journey. DOMI’s "Sustainable Business Model Journey" serves as a key tool for helping SMEs navigate this transformation. Through strategic coaching, industry experts, and hands-on guidance, DOMI supports companies in aligning internal mechanisms with external strategies, enabling them to build truly sustainable business models.
Currently, DOMI is offering a 14-day free trial, inviting SMEs to explore the Sustainable Business Model Journey and gain a competitive edge in the market. By taking early action and maintaining momentum, businesses can not only overcome sustainability challenges but also emerge as leaders in sustainable development.
Start your 14-day free trial today and experience the transformation from fragmented sustainability efforts to a fully integrated business model!