Accelerating Better Business and a Better Future

It seems like the whole world is now abruptly waking-up to increasing economic and political uncertainty, as well as to accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss. Several of the global risks earlier identified by the World Economic Forumare playing out. Including the fact that the world has already crossed several planetary boundaries and is on a pathway far above the 1.5°C target to mitigate climate change. We are now even reaching a point where the well-being of humanity and our planet is at stake. We will simply need to embrace uncertainty to navigate our ways forward.

In fact, these monumental and wicked problems carry immense potential for those who dare to be visionary. But business as usual is getting in our way…

Today, studies show that most CEOs – including myself – agree that sustainability is important not only to the planet, but also critical to the future success of their business. Still, it is clear that most have not stepped up to deal with this challenge very far beyond nice words and lofty goals.

There is undeniably a disconnect between what we say and what we do in this field. Not only because of the human tendency to stick our head in the sand, and stay within our comfort zone – but also because of the usual battle between ambition and reality; the long-term and the short-term; a struggle to embed sustainability into cultures, strategies, and business models; and a struggle to obtain the broad buy-in necessary to create meaningful transformation.

But, there is something else too. 

A large study for instance learned that 75% of children and young people found the future frightening, and over 50% felt powerless or helpless due to climate change. And we as business leaders are only human. Maybe we too feel powerless in relation to the major forces at play. Or, maybe we simply don’t see HOW we can make a real and significant difference.

We as business leaders are however crucial in the transformation towards Better Business and a Better Future. By providing insight, purpose, direction and resources, and stimulating collaboration across our business ecosystems, we can contribute to meaning, innovation, transformation, and growth – and even help enhancing the wellbeing of both people and planet, while future-proofing our businesses. Learning from the frontlines of this transformation can actually provide us with many of the answers that we need to help us accelerate this important shift.

The Better Business Acceleration Program offers a way forward.

Learn more about The Better Business Acceleration Program