JK (Jennie-Kate) McQuinn’s Post

A fork in the road is a metaphor for a deciding moment in life or history when a choice between presented options is required, and, once made, the choice cannot be reversed. We live in a time of unprecedented change, driven by the urgency of climate change and nature loss, which is now manifesting in a paradigm shift that is already underway. Over the next decades, our world will undergo the most significant industrial transformation in history. The scenarios for the world of 2050 are diverse, but some are undeniably bleak, especially if we continue on our current path of business as usual. It's important to remember that in this narrative, the hero and the villain are one and the same: human choice. Our decisions today will shape the world of tomorrow, and it's within our power to steer it towards a sustainable and regenerative future. We, as business leaders, can contribute to a world that transcends the limitations of business as usual. Our potential for positive impact is immense, and it's time to harness it for the greater good. What would your business look like if you had the insights and perspectives to connect your heart and mind, unleash your creativity, reimagine the future, make wise choices, renew your strategy, and craft new stories about who you are and what you value? This is where the concept of Better Business becomes interesting - on the path beyond business as usual, but not quite at a regenerative level (yet). A Better Business can be described as a future-ready company with a long-term perspective - guided and inspired by its higher purpose. This helps the organisation create, deliver and capture value to its stakeholders. All while minimizing ecological and social costs, engaging its business ecosystem, and collaborating to change the world, whilst exploring more regenerative business practices. In fact, our vision for 2050 should be a thriving world where business is a force for good. This starts with you as a business leader. You are crucial in this transformation towards a better future. By growing vertically, expanding your impact, and providing purpose, direction, and resources, you can contribute to meaning, transformation, and growth—and even help enhance the well-being of people and the planet while future-proofing your business. Better Business is good for business and seriously needed in solving the world's wicked problems. It is also an essential key for any company aiming to become fit for the future, not to mention the importance of creating a better future for the generations to come. What’s your perspective? #betterbusiness #betterfuture

Every day, I ask myself: what am I really doing to reverse the environmental crisis we’re facing? Since the 1980s, the relentless pursuit of maximizing shareholder profits has generated immense wealth but also driven climate change, inequality, and resource depletion. If you think ideas don't matter—just look at the impact of Milton Friedman's notion of shareholder primacy. But it wasn’t always this way. Businesses have the power to reshape the world, and now, more than ever, they must decide whether to contribute to planetary stability—which is crucial for political and socio-economic resilience. I’ve started reading Stuart Hart’s Beyond Shareholder Primacy: Remaking Capitalism for a Sustainable Future, and it’s a timely reminder that capitalism has evolved before—and it can do so again. Hart’s vision of an economy where profit and sustainability go hand in hand is more than just hopeful—it’s essential. The time for change is now. The future of business lies in serving all stakeholders—including the planet. Let’s be part of the solution. What bold idea can you bring to your business that will not only drive growth but also help solve the world’s pressing issues?

Limits to growth are good for business - and you. If you don't believe me, maybe you will listen to Justin Welsh. Justin Welsh doesn't talk about limits to growth concerning sustainability. That makes his insights even more hard-hitting when he combines limits to growth with business. Sure, it's a different kind of business than your average big corporation, but regarding commercial capabilities, you can't argue with a guy who, as a solopreneur, has built a $5M business in 4,5 years. Justin Welsh and I probably disagree on a lot of things. He probably thinks I am taking this "post growth" too far when pushing for steward-owned (not-for-profit) businesses as a way to prioritize sustainability, and I, on the other hand, think he should talk more about impacting the green transition and the ecological footprint of how solopreneurs make their money. But today, I set that aside and pay tribute to Justin Welsh for educating 500,000+ people in plain business language about the benefits of limits to growth. This resource includes: · 5 posts from Justin Welsh · A list of limits to growth in business · A review of his 2 current limits to growth · An analysis of their shortcomings concerning sustainability · 3 suggestions for addressing those shortcomings with limits to growth — PS. If you enjoyed this post, reshare it and help spread the word about the benefits of limits to growth.

One uncomfortable truth powers 90% of business decisions. And that is fear. In recent weeks, a profound realization has stayed with me – one that emerged from an unexpected visit to a hospital with a friend. What started as a routine check-up for a minor infection quickly spiralled into a series of unnecessary tests and mounting concerns. This experience illuminated a powerful truth about modern business: fear often serves as the invisible hand that shapes markets and drives decision-making. Think about it. How many of our business decisions, consumer choices, and market trends are actually driven by fear? The fear of missing out, the fear of becoming irrelevant, the fear of falling behind competitors – these anxieties silently influence boardroom decisions and consumer behaviours alike. Take the current sustainability movement in business. While the moral imperative to protect our planet is clear, what's truly driving this massive shift? Is it purely altruistic concern for the environment, or is there something more primal at play? The truth lies in a complex interplay of motivations. Yes, businesses are increasingly adopting sustainable practices because it's the right thing to do. But there's also an undeniable fear factor: the fear of losing environmentally conscious consumers, the fear of falling foul of upcoming regulations, and the fear of being labelled as out-of-touch with modern values. Consider the recent European Union's Deforestation Regulations (EUDR). While implementation dates may shift, forward-thinking organizations aren't waiting. They're not acting solely out of regulatory compliance fears but from a deeper understanding that sustainable practices are becoming fundamental to business success. The fear of being left behind has transformed into a catalyst for positive change. But here's the crucial insight: while fear might initially drive change, the most successful businesses transform this fear into vision. They move beyond reactive, fear-based decisions to proactive, purpose-driven strategies. The key isn't to eliminate fear – it's to harness it as a force for positive transformation. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or consumer, understanding this dynamic can help you make more conscious decisions. Are your choices driven by genuine conviction or reflexive fear? Are you simply reacting to market pressures, or are you building something sustainable and meaningful? In the end, the most resilient businesses aren't those that succumb to fear, but those that acknowledge it, understand it, and use it as fuel for meaningful innovation and authentic change. What fears are driving your business decisions? #businessdecisions #Ecotact #EcotactBags #Fear

🔓To unlock regenerative business, we need new models of business ownership! Check out Julie Menter and Erinch Sahan's article in Pioneers Post published today. 💪Some good quotes: - Investors [...] might support your mission when it helps those financial parameters, but challenge it where returns are below expected benchmarks - Alternative Ownership Enterprises (AOEs) have demonstrated better financial performance, lower turnover, improved job quality, and higher wages, while expanding wealth-building opportunities to more people and reducing gender and racial inequality - The question that faces us now is not whether Alternative Ownership Enterprises are desirable (socially, ecologically and economically), but how to ensure they are financed. This requires innovation and ambition not just among entrepreneurs, but among investors as well 📰 Read the full article here:  https://lnkd.in/g_K-r6kR

Redefining growth: It's not just about scale 📈 In the rush to expand, many businesses miss a critical element of growth - sustainability. Scaling your operations is fantastic, but without a foundation built on sustainable practices, it could be a castle made of sand. Sustainability in business isn't just about going green. It's about creating systems and processes that ensure long-term success and profitability. This includes everything from how you manage resources to how you engage with your community and use technology like AI to drive efficiency. Think bigger than just getting bigger. Aim for a growth strategy that ensures you're here for the long haul, making an impact that lasts. Sustainable growth is the future, and the future is now. Let's make it count.

Guess what generates the biggest social & environmental impact? A sustainable business model It might seem contrary to popular belief but if you want to create a long-lasting impact on solving today’s social and environmental problems then forget about starting an NGO or entering into politics because these systems are as good as the leadership then. This fundamental model makes the whole process no different than an open loop system where there has to be a constant conscious effort to keep track of the efforts and value creation. I have nothing against these organizations and systems as many of them have brought immense impact and improved countless lives but there is a lot more friction in executing that model. Whereas a “Business” is a value-creation flywheel. 🧠 Think about it- If your product/service is resulting in better practices & efficiencies in the processes that are in the interest of the planet. If you’re able to make it sustainable thereby bringing value to people who are building such products then the impact is far more rewarding and self-driving even if the leadership changes- A closed-loop system. ✅ This DOES NOT, by any means, imply that you need to prioritize purpose over profit. After all, we need to maximize shareholder value, that is the whole crux of a business org. It’s just about which process you choose to profit from and which behavior do we reward. And yes, of course, it’s darn difficult to do so. Nonetheless, still the best way for you to solve the problem in the long term. Sharing more resources in the comment if you’d like to dig deeper. GO BUILD SOMETHING AWESOME!

When you put together Erinch Sahan of Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL) and Julie Menter of Transform Finance, you are sure to get some worthwhile perspectives. Come for the interesting cover photo, stay for the content!

We agree, Transform Finance! This is a great reminder of why we need new models of business #ownership - and how business leaders and investors can shift their practices to accelerate the changes we need to see. 👍

Embracing Sustainability in Business is a Necessary Shift In today's business landscape, embracing sustainability isn't just a choice, it's a necessity. Whether you are driven by regulatory directives like those from the EU or a personal passion, integrating sustainability into our business practices is becoming as fundamental as managing our finances. As an advocate for implementing sustainability into my brand strategy process for my clients, I am actively working towards fostering discussions and implementing strategies with Founders and CEOs. Currently, I am midway through a Level 9 program with TUS, the IDI and Design Skillnets, equipping myself with the necessary knowledge and credentials. Specifically, I am enrolled in the Design for Sustainability and the Circular Economy, a course, which, despite its lengthy title, offers invaluable insights from various design perspectives, enriching my professional endeavors. However, there's a concerning trend that warrants attention: 🤢 Sustainability has devolved into a mere buzzword. 🤢 Many lack a clear understanding of its meaning. 🤢 Instances of greenwashing are everywhere, often unknowingly to the business involved. 😱 What's particularly alarming is the misconception surrounding sustainability as a differentiator. Contrary to popular belief, sustainability alone does not set a business apart. True differentiation lies in offering something unique and irreplicable that sets you apart from your opposition. While a business may currently stand out for its sustainability efforts, this 'advantage' is transient. As more businesses adapt to sustainability practices, it becomes a baseline requirement rather than a distinguishing factor. Therefore, it cannot be considered a true differentiator in the long term. 🫶 I believe in building sustainability into your business, and in helping you realign your business to incorporate sustainability goals, but long term, sustainability alone is NOT an advantage. #journorequest #brandexpert #purposedrivenbusiness #visionary #entrepreneur #smesector Agile Executives Venture Business Network LEVEL C All-Ireland Business Foundation #businessallstars : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : As a harmonious disruptor, who challenges traditional thinking, I want to help businesses who are misaligned to find their power again, and get focussed on their purpose for the future of the business. I’m always happy to have a conversation. Book one here: https://lnkd.in/etA5hwz4