Syntio: We have created an ESG report to demonstrate our commitment to a sustainable business approach

Syntio is a data engineering company based in Zagreb that currently employs around 100 people, and is one of the few of its size that has decided to create a non-financial report – an ESG report this year. Thanks to positive business results, this year the Financial Times declared Syntio the fastest-growing IT company in Croatia and 55th in that sector in Europe.

We spoke with Ivana Azinović and Lanа Vučinić from Syntio, who explained to us the reasons why they decided to create the ESG report and what they are most proud of.

1. Why did you decide to create a non-financial report (ESG report)? It is rare for smaller companies like Syntio to submit an ESG report?

Syntio is a company that offers professional data engineering services and related products using cloud technology, positioning itself as a highly valuable link in creating the ESG value chain for clients. Additionally, from the very beginning, Syntio integrates social values into every aspect of its business – from a special approach to ESG reporting, office organization to transparent communication between all departments and levels, as well as specific investments in worker health and balanced working environments. We believe that the non-financial report has rounded up all efforts and helped us define where we stand regarding ESG and in which direction we want to further advance.

2. What key things from the report would you highlight in each segment of E-S-G?

It is difficult to single out certain chapters of the report, as our guiding thought was to report on everything, including those segments of ESG where we are ‘weaker’. We believe that this will challenge us to create additional value in the future and become better. However, what distinguishes us from others is certainly the investment in social values recognized by every employee, which the report further defines.

3. How will the non-financial report contribute to the business of Syntio?

Open communication and encouragement for dialogue about ESG activities are considered significant contributions to the business. Moreover, the report has formally defined the guidelines for sustainable development, allowing us to shape concrete short-term and long-term goals. The report has been published on the company’s internal pages so that all employees have access and can participate and provide suggestions. A short version of the report can be found on our website.

4. What part of the report are you most proud of?

We are most proud of the employees who recognized that the company’s investment in ESG is not just an additional cost or some ‘forced’ change, but a mindset that every employee can contribute to balanced and sustainable business. We are confident that in this way, ESG efforts transcend the company’s boundaries and positively impact the community in the broader sense of the word. One example is the investment in employee education, which has, among other things, resulted in employees passing on knowledge to future generations at FER, where Syntio teaches the skill ‘Cloud Data Engineering Technology’.

5. Your recommendations for writing reports for all other companies that are waiting for this next year?

The obligation to submit a non-financial report forces the company to reconsider its traditional ways of doing business and to start developing a new dimension of existing functions. However, change requires time and participation from all organizational groups. For this reason, we believe it is important to start with a gradual adaptation to a sustainable business approach even before the formal obligation to submit.