Comments on: The Bottom Line: business gets real about the economy…

By: Cynthia Clay

Cynthia Clay — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:20:54 +0000

I was very heartened recently to discover Peter Senge (author of The Fifth Discipline, a widely praised management/organization development resource) published a must-read for business leaders in 2008. His new book is called A Necessary Revolution and it focuses on the urgent need for corporations and businesses to embrace sustainability.

It contains information about peak oil, climate change, water shortages, etc.; introduces models that describe “zero waste” in production; case studies from huge corporations that are rethinking their business practices; and many tools for individuals inside organizations to learn how to “enroll” others in this critical work.

I’m not in agreement with everything he states, but I’m thrilled that he is driving the conversation in the business arena.

By: Chris Middings

Chris Middings — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:00:50 +0000

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
-Mohandas Gandhi

By: Trugs

Trugs — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:03:25 +0000

Events like the EcoBuild Show at Earls Court in March and SustainabilityLive at the NEC in May show how businesses are recognising sustainability as a business opportunity. At both shows this year, bigger, older companies were present in greater strength than previously, but they will be out-flanked by younger, more nimble businesses, grounded in genuine understanding of the issues. For the latter, it isn’t just “greenwash”. There’s scope for a lot more discussion of the role of business in transition and of transition in business. This Radio 4 piece and events like EcoBuild and SustainabilityLive, bringing previously/apparently irreconcilable concepts together, are very encouraging.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:13:39 +0000

Hi TB
No, of course not, they didn’t discuss practicalities, or scale or much that those in Transition talk about…. what struck me though was how the idea the austerity is here to stay and we need to think creatively about it and that actually it might not be such a bad thing after all was discussed in such sensible and respectful tones. Even 6 months ago it would have been a jokey piece about ‘The Good Life’ or something, now it is centrestage and discussed as though it was obvious to everyone..

By: ceridwen

ceridwen — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:29:41 +0000

Thanks for reminding us about the “first ideas are derided…..” thought – right now I needed that reminder. The truth will be self-evident to all – given time…lets hope its not too much time….

By: T B

T B — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:33:23 +0000

So do you think that they’re going far enough now?

I understand that you find them a lot better at this point, but are they ultimately in line with a Transition approach? Or they just closer to a Transition approach?

By: James Samuel

James Samuel — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:26:55 +0000

I wonder how long it will be before our business community start “coming out” here in New Zealand. A few independent observers and journalists are outspoken, but I don’t hear much from the business community yet.