Master Class Sustainable Strategy

There is a growing consensus that widespread societal and economic transformation will be needed to reach a sustainable future. This applies to businesses as well, where organizational change is needed to ensure more sustainable and responsible strategies, processes, and products or services. In session 1, we dive deeper into the global challenges we are facing and the “why” of sustainable transformation. By doing an exercise in systems thinking and scenario planning, we address the question: What are the most pressing global challenges and how should we tackle them?

Focus areas include:

• The six great transitions from breakdown to breakthrough and thriving in nature, society and the economy
• Systems thinking as a way of understanding and influencing complex dynamics in the world
• The power of using foresight tools such as backcasting and scenario development

In session 2, we discuss business responses by introducing how the concept and practice of value creation by companies has evolved over time. We then introduce the practical framework of integrated value management, with systematic steps to embed sustainability in your organization’s strategy. We dive deeper into stakeholder engagement, with an exercise in stakeholder materiality assessment, where participants learn how to identify and prioritize their stakeholders and rank their concerns and expectations.

Focus areas include:

• Key sustainability concepts, such as the triple bottom line and creating shared value
• The six steps of integrated value management
• How to conduct a stakeholder materiality assessment

To achieve sustainable transformation, organizations will need to find creative, scalable solutions for the most urgent social and environmental problems, using innovative strategies, business models, products and services. In session 3 we help to clarify your organizational values and define purposeful goals for your sustainability strategy. We discuss the tension between ambitions, goals and impact metrics.

Focus areas include:

• Corporate culture and values
• Sustainability ambitions and SMART goals
• Reporting frameworks and impact metrics

In the context of sustainable transformation, organizations follow the path of proactively choosing opportunities instead of simply managing risks. Organizations opt for a management model that is based on agility and creativity. In session 4, we discuss the practice of change management, sustainable innovation, and purpose-inspired leadership.

Focus areas include:

• Change agency, including change models and approaches
• New sustainable business models that are catalysts for innovation
• Types of purpose-inspired leaders

After this Master Class you will be able to:

• define strategic ambitions and goals for sustainability;
• apply systems thinking to societal challenges;
• develop scenarios for the future;
• understand the 6 great societal transitions and related market opportunities;
• get started with the 6 steps of integrated value;
• map your key stakeholders and their priorities.