Unleashing Triple Performance:
Applying Permaculture Principles to Business Behaviors
In a world where the specter of Climate Change looms ominously, our responsibilities as global citizens have never been more pressing. However, the challenges extend far beyond our individual lives, seeping into the very fabric of our businesses.
Climate Action, an official website of the European Union, highlights the multifaceted consequences of climate change, including natural upheavals, social disruptions, territorial shifts, and yes, business threats.
These threats, which encompass issues like disrupted operations, property damage, and supply chain disruptions, affect not only specific sectors but also permeate throughout various industries. Businesses are acutely aware of these challenges and are taking steps to adapt and respond accordingly. From climate fresk workshops empowering participants to understand and combat climate change to ensuring Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values are embedded in their frameworks, organizations are making strides in addressing the issue.
Yet, there remains a vast and largely untapped realm of potential: behavioral change. Surprisingly, few businesses have ventured into the terrain of aligning their behavioral framework with their ESG values and financial ambitions. Despite the mounting pressure from stakeholders, including clients, board members, employees, regulators, civil society, and investors, a comprehensive approach to addressing these behaviors has been elusive.
It's at this juncture that we propose a novel path forward—one that promises to not only safeguard our planet but also enhance business growth and financial outcomes.
This path involves applying Permaculture principles to the behavioral framework of businesses.
Permaculture, often referred to as "permanent agriculture" or "permanent culture," offers a holistic and sustainable design system. Developed in the 1970s by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, Permaculture seeks to address environmental concerns, bolster food security, and foster community resilience.
Central to this approach are 12 guiding principles:
- Observe and Interact: Understanding natural systems and patterns before taking action.
- Catch and Store Energy: Efficiently capturing and utilizing various forms of energy.
- Obtain a Yield: Providing tangible benefits that meet the needs of people and communities.
- Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback: Creating adaptable, self-regulating systems.
- Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services: Promoting the use of renewable resources and ecosystem services.
- Produce No Waste: Minimizing waste and utilizing all resources efficiently.
- Design from Patterns to Details: Starting with understanding larger patterns before focusing on specifics.
- Integrate Rather Than Segregate: Creating mutually beneficial relationships within a design.
- Use Small and Slow Solutions: Implementing gradual, small-scale changes for better adaptation.
- Use and Value Diversity: Embracing biodiversity for resilience and productivity.
- Use Edges and Value the Marginal: Maximizing the benefits of edge zones in ecosystems or systems.
- Creatively Use and Respond to Change: Adapting flexibly to evolving conditions.
These principles offer a framework for creating sustainable and regenerative systems in various contexts.
They underscore a holistic, ecological approach that harmonizes with nature. Practitioners of Permaculture aim to build environments that meet human needs while restoring and regenerating natural ecosystems.
To delve deeper into Permaculture, we've curated a pathway of valuable resources for you here.
In upcoming articles on this blog, we will illustrate how these principles can be applied to core business behaviors, such as interactions with clients, relationships with providers, leadership strategies, and employee engagement. We'll also demonstrate how embracing these principles can yield triple performance and drive sustainable growth.
To embark on this transformative journey tailored to your specific business, please contact us [contact details].
Together, we can harness the power of Permaculture to foster a sustainable, thriving future for your organization and the planet.