Last updated on Jul 31, 2024

How can you develop a circular economy strategy that overcomes resistance to change?

A circular economy is a system that aims to eliminate waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural resources. It can bring environmental, social, and economic benefits, but it also requires a significant shift in how businesses and consumers operate. How can you develop a circular economy strategy that overcomes resistance to change? Here are some tips to help you.

1 Understand the barriers

Before you design your circular economy strategy, you need to identify and analyze the potential barriers that might hinder its implementation. These could include technical, financial, regulatory, organizational, or behavioral factors. For example, you might face challenges in sourcing or processing recycled materials, securing funding or incentives, complying with existing or new regulations, aligning your internal stakeholders and processes, or influencing your customers and suppliers. By understanding the barriers, you can prioritize the most critical ones and plan how to address them.

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2 Communicate the vision

A clear and compelling vision is essential to inspire and motivate your team and stakeholders to adopt a circular economy approach. You need to communicate the benefits and opportunities of your strategy, as well as the risks and costs of maintaining the status quo. You also need to tailor your message to different audiences, using relevant examples, data, and stories. For instance, you could highlight how a circular economy strategy can improve your environmental performance, customer loyalty, operational efficiency, or competitive advantage.

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Simone de Rie RA PCC

Strategic Advisor, Executive Coach, Impact- and purpose-driven leader, Absolutely passionate about conscious leaders, business, and cultures.
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This response seems outdated to me and misses a wonderful opportunity. A vision is developed together, co-created (as the next response describes). This topic is so relevant to every individual. Involving them early in a conversation to share what worries and excites them allows for building that shared vision from the hearts and minds of the community you lead will create alignment with the vision in the earliest stages, also gathering the most beautiful, personal stories to keep momentum with.

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3 Co-create the solutions

A circular economy strategy is not something you can impose on your organization or value chain. You need to involve and engage your employees, customers, suppliers, and other partners in co-creating the solutions that suit their needs and preferences. You can use various methods, such as workshops, surveys, interviews, or prototyping, to solicit feedback and ideas from your stakeholders. By co-creating the solutions, you can foster a sense of ownership and commitment, as well as generate more innovative and effective outcomes.

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4 Implement the changes

Once you have developed your circular economy strategy and solutions, you need to implement them in a systematic and gradual way. You can start by testing and refining your solutions in small-scale pilots, before scaling them up to larger projects or markets. You also need to monitor and measure the impacts and results of your changes, using indicators such as waste reduction, resource efficiency, customer satisfaction, or revenue growth. By implementing the changes, you can demonstrate the feasibility and value of your strategy, as well as identify and resolve any issues or gaps.

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Coté Castañeda Ossandón

G100 Country Chair Chile Economía Circular | Regeneración | Collective Computing | Innovación | Gestión del cambio | Empoderamiento Femenino | Emprendedora | Conferencista
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Mostrar las victorias tempranas es clave para romper con la inercia. Generar incentivos y visibilidad ayuda a transitar el cambio que se busca alcanzar. Muestra a los protagonista y promueve la sensación de orgullo por lo que se hace. Cada avance debe ser aplaudido desde la más alta gerencia.

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5 Support the transition

A circular economy strategy is not a one-off project, but a continuous process of learning and improvement. You need to support your team and stakeholders throughout the transition, by providing them with the necessary resources, training, and incentives. You also need to celebrate and reward the achievements and successes of your strategy, as well as learn from the failures and challenges. By supporting the transition, you can build a culture of trust and collaboration, as well as foster a mindset of innovation and adaptation.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Pankaj Aggarwal

Zonal Head (Sales and Business Development)- East India | Jindal Stainless Limited, Talks about Corrossion Resistance, Sustainibility, Green Energy, Stainless Steel ,Sustainable Infrastructure,Rolling Stock
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Add a monetary value to each milestone .. each benefit .. Eg if you are seen as a progressive, sustainable, eco friendly ESG compliant entity it adds to the brand value.. which has huge monetary implications If the processes in your entity are visibly aligned with Sustainability goals and are seen as a way of life .. you attract best of resources, again it helps to add value to the individual as well the organisation and extends to all the stakeholders ..

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Marcelo de Elias

Linkedin Top Voice | Especialista em gestão de mudanças e cultura organizacional | Mestre em inovação | Professor FGV e FDC | Ex-executivo de RH | Escritor e palestrante | Conselheiro | Pioneiro em Inner Skills.
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Para superar a resistência à mudança na transição para a economia circular, eu creio que alguns pontos precisam ser considerados: - Envolva as partes interessadas desde o início; - Crie espaços para diálogo aberto, incentivando ideias e preocupações; - Demonstre os benefícios tangíveis e intangíveis da economia circular, destacando como todos, individualmente, contribuem para um impacto positivo; - Promova programas de treinamento e conscientização sobre os princípios da economia circular; - Estabeleça sistemas de incentivo e reconhecimento para aqueles que demonstram liderança na implementação de práticas circulares; - Comece com protótipos ou projetos-piloto que sirvam como exemplos concretos dos benefícios da economia circular.

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Coté Castañeda Ossandón

G100 Country Chair Chile Economía Circular | Regeneración | Collective Computing | Innovación | Gestión del cambio | Empoderamiento Femenino | Emprendedora | Conferencista
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Para lograr que la organización integre la sustentabilidad desde los usuarios, se debe considerar que la organización irá madurando en el tiempo, paso a paso y es sumamente importante saber que hay un camino largo por recorrer. Así mismo la organización debe implementar un sistema de gestión ambiental que le permita a la organización llegar a todas las áreas productivas, constituyendo una gobernanzas para alcanzar los objetivos y acompañar la transición.

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How can you develop a circular economy strategy that overcomes resistance to change?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Understand the barriers

2 Communicate the vision

3 Co-create the solutions

4 Implement the changes

5 Support the transition

6 Here’s what else to consider

Change Management

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How can you develop a circular economy strategy that overcomes resistance to change?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Understand the barriers

2 Communicate the vision

3 Co-create the solutions

4 Implement the changes

5 Support the transition

6 Here’s what else to consider

Change Management

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