Urgent Business
Five Myths Business Needs to Overcome to Save Itself and the Planet
By Ian Thomson and Dominic Bates
Published
Feb 22, 2022Page count
230 pagesISBN
978-1529217599Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Feb 22, 2022Page count
230 pagesISBN
978-1529217605Dimensions
Imprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Feb 22, 2022Page count
230 pagesISBN
978-1529217605Dimensions
Imprint
Bristol University Press
Urgent Business
Getting business on board is essential if we want to achieve the United Nations’ goal of building a better future for people and planet by 2030. But much of the sustainable business agenda falls woefully short of what is needed, with some practices even accelerating the problems they’re trying to solve.
In Urgent Business Ian Thomson and Dominic Bates, a business school professor and a former journalist, combine their expert insight to challenge five common myths that trap businesses in an unsustainable black-hole and offer a manifesto for change. Combining cutting-edge research – from AI and systems theory to climate science and behavioural economics – with fascinating real-world examples, the authors highlight the practical and holistic steps all businesses can take to play their part in addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. .
“One of the most important, thought provoking and interesting books I’ve ever read.” Fran O'Leary, Lodestone Communications
"This book moved my thinking from SMART to SIMPLE (strategic, interconnected, meaningful, purposeful, long-term, educative). If we are going to urgently deliver the SDGs we need to make executing and reporting for business literally and acronymically SIMPLE." Manjula Lee, World Wide Generation and the G17Eco platform
“I wish I had the advantage of this book in shaping the responsible business journey of the consumer goods companies I was a leader in.” Andraea Dawson-Shepherd, C-Suite Executive, Global FMCG/CPG
“Many books claim to inform the new science of ESG (environmental, social and governance), but here's a novelty: a well-informed, broad-based, practical guide to help purposeful, responsible business do things right.” Tom Levitt, Consultant, Sector 4 Focus, co-founder of Fair for You
"Takes the Sustainable Development Goals and integrates them with systems thinking and 30 years of careful study of business activities to create a myth-busting and inspiring book." Jan Bebbington, Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business at Lancaster University
“As someone who helped develop the UN’s Global Goals, I know how crucial this fast-disappearing ‘decade of action’ is to averting an apocalyptic future, which is why this book is so important in helping translate the Goals into practical steps every business can take now." Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever
Ian Thomson is Professor of Accounting and Sustainability and Director of Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business at the University of Birmingham. He is also Convenor of the Centre for Social and Environmental Accounting Research.
Dominic Bates is Content Writer and Publication Manager at Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business, University of Birmingham. Previously he was a professional journalist and editor for two national charities, while also freelancing for The Guardian, FT and Independent.
Foreword by Paul Polman
Joining the Dots
Myth 1: A Successful Business Is a Growing and Profitable One
Myth 2: Only Manage What You Can Measure
Myth 3: Laser-Like Focus Gets Results
Myth 4: The Consumer Is Always Right
Myth 5: Irresponsible Decisions Are Made by Irresponsible Leaders
Do Something
Appendix 1: Get to Know Your Global Goals
Appendix 2: Connecting Purpose with the Global Goals and Systems that Underpin Them
Appendix 3: The Resilience Assessment Workbook
Appendix 4: Carbon Scoping
