Acting within the planet’s limits allows us to internalize the impact of our income statement while also reporting back to society, creating a world of opportunities for future markets and presenting a new philosophy: becoming a better company for the world.
Though rarely mentioned, the vast majority of the world’s leading companies are on board the net positive route. Known as “B Corporations”, the largest groups aboard are a global community of corporations who position their social, business, and environmental goals at the center of their model of business, certifying their commitment to constant improvement. Their main goal is “to be the best business for the world, and not of the world.”
Companies that aim towards net positive can arise from different starting points, regardless of their size, sector, or external market factors. The decision to aspire to a net positive future is one made by our ambition as company leaders, whom we guide in order to stay up to date with our ecosystem, our community, and our world.
The journey’s focus is about perfecting–rather than imposing–overall wellbeing. As mentioned previously, the need for this update is currently being demanded by the market and our stakeholders–made up by consumers, employees, and suppliers. As leaders, we are being called to create the necessary conditions for everyone’s efforts to eventually align in the future. In order for this mentality to reach every level of our organization, we need to serve as preachers of this trend.
Emerging from the construction of an ambition, net positive requires courage
To achieve this goal, we must lead with purpose–one aimed towards a distinctive contribution for society and the world, rather than tending to everyone’s needs. This purpose must flourish and be thouroughly applied through a business strategy that establishes the way in which the company will meet its goals, through a sustainably integrated and commercial strategy. Built on ambition, the process requires courage, demanding we look beyond our own space of action in order to acquire allies capable of helping us reach beyond.
Net positive’s outreach covers three levels of impact. Firstly, we need to consider that systemic changes can only be achieved with the collaboration of other groups and collectives outside our company: members of communities who lead the company, ONGs, government, consumers, and suppliers. Secondly, we need to consider work from a cultural standpoint, which will serve as the backbone of net positive within the company. Lastly, we need to keep in mind the importance of relying on allies–the net of trust that makes expanding our impact despite the challenges that we face as a society possible.
Acting within the planet's limits makes internalizing the impact of our income statement while reporting back to shareholders and collaborators possible, creating a world of opportunities for future markets demanded by consumers. Net positive serves as a sustainable guide in the long run, ultimately serving as organizations who take responsibility for their actions—which is impossible to carry out without centering the focus on the world as a whole. Our long term goal is for each slope to result in positive outcomes. This requires “being net positive”, and calls for us to create new business values, centering our purpose around the business’ nucleus.
Leadership is the key factor that enables this way of thinking and acting within modern businesses. The profound change proposed by this concept requires leaders who challenge the status quo. Businesses who identify as agents of change are required, as well as companies willing to impose disruption and eventually turn into trusted leaders who solve problems that matter. The future depends on humanity–and the planet depends on it.
By Juan Parodi, Associate and Global Director of Sustainability and Impact of OLIVIA