ZOUHOUR, WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH?
I work with Decathlon for 10 years. I started my career in production, later in textile quality department in Tunisia, and then moved to central lab in Campus. I conduct laboratory audits and since 2016 I am also a trainer. During the past years I was thinking about an active commitment to a sustainable and meaningful project, as I am persuaded it became urgent to start acting differently. I joined G’IMPACTE in 2019 and it is now 10% of my mission at the company.
WHAT WAS THE MAIN REASON TO JOIN G’IMPACTE ?
Opportunity to work with G’IMPACTE came just at the right time of my quest for meaningful actions. Ongoing worldwide pandemics made me realize that we need to behave differently as of now. If we want to preserve our environment, we are obliged to reconsider our current economic model. I believe that most of us is conscious and would be willing to act, but we often end up not doing it. From this perspective G’IMPACTE totally answers my needs and is the way I contribute.
WHAT IS YOUR MISSION AT G’IMPACTE ?
As a project leader I currently analyze COVID impact on retail and run several footprint assessments projects.
The footprint analysis is a picture at a given moment of an organization or a product in its ecosystem and measured through economic, social and environmental perspectives. Our methodology is structured around 4 stages. To begin with, we interview multiple internal and external stakeholders of an entity as our initial diagnosis. In the second stage we use collaborative work to be able to define concrete actions which improves footprint. Later, at the stage 3, we assure that the entity has successfully put these actions in place.
Lastly stage 4 is when we measure value created and co-construct or adjust further impactful actions.
CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF YOUR PROJECTS ?
Currently I work on improving the footprint of a windbreaker which involves a new eco-mode in its production process. I am motivated in finding how to shift linear production process to a circular one. It is a question of introducing eco-responsibility in product design, an essential condition for its recycling. Today we count at least thirty Decathlon sports products labeled G’IMPACTE and we made more than forty footprint assessments different entities.
WHAT ARE YOU THE MOST PROUD OF AT G’IMPACTE ?
In 2019 I initiated G’IMPACTE approach to be used in Tunisia, we assessed one Decathlon store and one production site in the country. It was my contribution to present Tunisian colleagues this new approach.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOR YOU IN G’IMPACTE PROJECT?
G’IMPACTE is a unique and powerful methodology which takes into consideration multiple stakeholders of a given organization: teammates, users, partners. This approach of inclusivity is contextual in its environment. G’IMPACTE helps entities to take concrete actions.
While working for this project, I often find myself in a listener’s role, I curiously observe the environment before I act. Every morning when I wake up and go to work, I tell myself that today I will be useful again, and that my work will leave a positive trace for people around me.
WHAT MEANS «TO MAKE AN IMPACT » FOR YOU ?
First, it is being a curious observer of my environment. Next, always acting according to my values and convictions, not being judgmental towards actions of the others. We should respect how other persons act in their own manners: might it be a youngster cleaning up his school territory, another person helping his aged neighbor or someone who buys goods from his local community – everyone can contribute in his own way, but we should now be conscious that we must act differently from now on.
CONCLUDING REMARKS ?
I wish this innovative and inclusive approach continues spreading and will help to question the ways we are used to work. Despite its significant size, Decathlon as a company listens to its ecosystem and knows how to self-analyze. G’IMPACTE started within Decathlon, it is a meaningful initiative to accelerate the change and to capitalize on its existing initiatives. Our role is to link the actors of this transition and create even greater impact for generations to come.
