Procter and Gamble ESD Strategy

Edge identifies and prioritises high impact ESD initiatives in which to invest.

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is a multinational FMCG has ranked fifth place of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and topped the “Global Top Companies for Leaders” list by Fortune in 2012. As such a widely well regarded company, P&G aims to maintain its reputation as a good corporate citizen.

Problem Statement:

In 2011, P&G decided to review their ESD strategy to ensure that it complied with legislative requirements and honoured the spirit of the codes. They wanted to ensure that they invested in an impactful initiative, but were unsure of which initiatives to invest in and as a result mandated Edge Growth to identify viable ESD options.

Edge Solution:

Edge Growth first identified what it would take for P&G to be ESD compliant in terms of the B-BBEE codes and secondly, defined what “impactful” would mean to P&G. We then evaluated P&G’s historically qualifying ESD initiatives against the strategic ESD objectives defined. These initiatives were then prioritised and options to better align these initiatives to the strategic objectives were developed.

Basic Methodology/Outcome:

The process Edge Growth followed was as such:

• Develop ESD Strategic objectives and philosophy


• Agree ESD/PP prioritization filter


• Analyse value chain data (BEE and Top 50)


• Workshop ESD options procurement specialists


• Prioritise options (internal and external meetings)


• Formulate and sign-off project plan for priority projects