CIRCULAR ECONOMY COURSES

Ken Alston is the faculty leader for our Sustainability and Circular Economy courses. Ken has facilitated live and online training in dozens of universities, at conferences, and in businesses worldwide.

With over 32 years of experience working in and with multinational corporations, and small to medium-sized businesses, Ken is the recognized authority on implementing sustainable growth in businesses and is also in demand as a speaker at conferences and in businesses on creating a sustainable circular economy.

The world is changing rapidly, and businesses must adapt to keep up. Sustainability has become a critical concern for many customers and investors, and companies that fail to adequately address sustainability risks are being left behind. While many executives understand the need for sustainability generally, many lack the knowledge and skills necessary to implement it effectively.

This is why updated CEO and executive education on sustainable business is increasingly essential. In this blog post, we will explore why CEOs and executives need to "go back to school" and relearn what sustainability and sustainable business really is.

Most of the existing sustainability training is outdated and fails to serve the current needs of the market. Sustainability has evolved beyond the simplistic 2-dimensional concepts developed over 40 years ago. Most sustainability trainers and consultants start by quoting a single sentence from the 1987 report of the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development: "Our Common Future." However, many have not read the report, nor do they realize that the term sustainable development, which this quote captures, is different from sustainable business. 

The 3E's of economics, environment, and equity, or the 3P's of people, planet, and profits, no longer serve the purposes of informing and driving the changes required in today's complex business environment with global supply chains. These simple, 2D models flatten and compress complex ideas, losing valuable information in the process. It is virtually impossible to use simplistic models like these to identify and make necessary changes in businesses. 

This is where Ken Alston's patented Tactical Tetrahedron™️ Framework comes in handy. This framework is fractal and provides the necessary third dimension for sustainable business transformation. The framework is an innovative approach that places sustainability as the base of the tactical tetrahedron while simultaneously considering three other important variables. The model is cyclical, and dynamic, based on Nature’s sustainable process. It deals with the sustainability variables while still giving clear guidance on where and how to take action in a business. This tri-dimensional framework provides a holistic approach to sustainable business transformation and serves as a significant improvement over the previous 2-dimensional models.

Sustainability is a multifaceted concept, and business leaders who want to make a significant impact must develop a more comprehensive understanding. By enrolling in sustainability programs, CEOs and executives will have the opportunity to learn about new technologies available on the market, innovative business strategies, and best practices in the industry. 

Professionals with sustainability expertise will teach them about current trends and issues, including environmental laws, ethical trade practices, and resource efficiency. This education will provide the necessary skills to make informed decisions about sustainability.

As the world continuously evolves, so too must businesses adapt and change along with it. With the rapidly changing world and increasing demands for sustainability, those who fail to comply with sustainability are at risk of becoming irrelevant. A lack of knowledge and skills in sustainability would hamper a company's growth, survival, and success. Investing in sustainability education could be the smartest investment for any business leader, making it possible to transition to greener, more sustainable business practices.

Conclusion:

Sustainability is more than just an ethical concept; it is a strategic business imperative that can provide companies with long-term strategic advantages. CEOs and executives who pursue additional education in sustainability demonstrate a commitment to their businesses' long-term success by understanding and addressing sustainability issues. It is essential for CEOs and executives to drive sustainable transformations within their organizations, and this requires a deeper understanding of sustainable business practices. By investing in sustainability education, CEOs and executives can enhance their skills to drive sustainable transformations, attract socially conscious investors, and gain an edge over their competitors. It is imperative that CEOs and executives go back to school and relearn what sustainability and sustainable business really is.