The New Nature of Business

Learn how pioneering business leaders are resetting their companies' relationship to nature, society, and our common future In The New Nature of Business: The Path to Prosperity and Sustainability, businessman Andre Hoffmann and journalist Peter Vanham describe how companies should change their ways to have continued success, and why the current modus operandi is not working. They present a template for creating “sustainable prosperity”, and case-studies of companies that survived and thrived by opting for change. In doing so, they provide a way out of long-standing dilemmas, such as how to balance business needs with impact on nature, shareholders with stakeholders, and short-term vs. long-term profits. You'll find: A first-hand account of global healthcare company Roche's sustainability practice, as told by André (Roche's vice-chairman), chairman Severin Schwan, and several other senior management members Case-studies and lessons of organizations with visionary leaders, such as INSEAD, IKEA, Harley Davidson, and Holcim, all of whom have taken a holistic view of their role in the world, and succeeded in doing well while doing good Strategies for addressing the negative externalities and trade-offs that arise from doing business; identifying the right metrics and targets to deliver on your purpose; and accounting for human, social, and natural capital, alongside financial capital A must-read book for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers at companies around the world, The New Nature of Business, is also insightful and timely for those who advise or oversee companies and their leadership teams.

Acknowledgments ix About the Authors xiii Introduction xv Chapter 1: The Myth of the Founder and a Company's Capitals 1 Chapter 2: A Conservationist and His Fight for the World's Natural Capital 25 Chapter 3: Finding the Compass for a New Nature of Business 43 Chapter 4: Roche Today The Road to Sustainability 61 Chapter 5: The Roots of the New Nature of Business 83 Chapter 6: Building with Intent, and Leading by Example 105 Chapter 7: How the Waste Guy Became a Superhero 131 Chapter 8: A Whole New World of Business Opportunities 147 Chapter 9: The New Nature of Leadership 163 Epilogue 197 Notes 203 Index 227