How to use the Topic Selector

Faye Turner

8 min Read Time | January 22nd 2021

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Why the Topic Selector?

After receiving feedback from our users about how tricky it can be to find relevant topics to write about, as well as the issue surrounding some topics being covered by two writers at once, we’d like to introduce you to the new Topic Selector!


Based on the SASB* framework, our data team has mapped the most relevant topics per industry, with the companies listed on Impaakt.

If we take the example of Adidas, a leader in the "Apparel, Accessories & Footwear" sector, our algorithm will detect that some of the most important topics to write on are Physical and Mental Well-Being, Labor Practices in Supply Chain, as well as Product End-of-Life Waste and Ecological Impact.

Since our mission is to reveal the real impact of companies through collective intelligence, we believe it is important to provide you with the best tools to analyze the most material impact of corporations.


* SASB: Sustainability Accounting Standards Board - a complete set of 77 industry standards with topics and themes that are the most material to each industry (you can check their website for more details).

How does the Topic Selector work?

We have simplified the process for writing analyses with:

✔️ No more priority companies to double-check every time.

✔️ No more risk that another analyst picks the same topic as you.

✔️ Everything you see on the Topics page is valid for the certification and payment.


CAUTION

❌ Not all topics will be publishable.

Although all topics offered on the Topic Selector are relevant and important, it is not guaranteed that these topics can all ultimately be published. Some topics may not be publishable today for lack of available data or current, significant impact.

It is the responsibility of analysts to make sure their analysis is up to standard in terms of:


Also, for now, please make sure that the topic you select has not already been covered by another published analysis. Simply check by going on the page of the company you want to write about.


So, how does it work?

First, go on Topics or click on Write to go on the Topics page.

There,
you can browse through the list of topics and type anything that can help you find a topic of interest. For instance, you may search for:

"Water pollution"
"Data breach"
"Electric cars"
"Green bonds"
"Renewable energy"
"Innovation"

You may also filter by company or keywords. Simply type "Nestlé Food" if you want to find a topic related to food, specific to Nestlé.

You can find the list of all topics available here.

Untick the "Available" box if you would like to see the topics offered, but currently being covered.

Reserving your topic

Once you have found a topic that you want to write on, simply click on Reserve.

A pop-up will appear to confirm your selection. Click on "Write about this topic" and the topic is yours!

To note: you can only work on one topic at the time. Once you submit your first reserved topic, you will be able to reserve another one.


Important information regarding deadlines

- You will have 2 weeks to do your research, build your structure and submit your draft. During this time, the topic remains reserved, so that no one else can write on it.

If you miss this deadline, your topic will be brought back to the pool and you won't be able to select it again - so be careful in how you manage your time!

Of course, we will send you updates before the deadline, so that you do not miss it. Our goal, as always, is to help you succeed in writing quality analyses.

- Lastly, if your analysis gets returned with feedback from a reviewer, you will have 10 days to make the necessary edits and resubmit your work.


Want to un-reserve a topic?
Simply delete your reserved topic. However, please take into consideration that once you delete a topic, there is no way to reserve it again. This action has no effect on your certification, be assured.

If for some personal or professional reasons, you really cannot submit in time, please write to contact@impaakt.com to ask for a deadline extension in advance (prior to the deadline expiring), which can be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Watch this video recap

Onboarding Video

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