The Circle Game: Poetry and Sustainable Enterprises

Abstract

Organisational progress toward sustainable social and natural environments is essential. So too, is financial performance sufficient to support organisational investment in sustainability. Perspectives as to what organisational sustainability is, how it is pursued, and its preferred fruits have evolved in recent years to incorporate both inclusion and circularity. Regardless of the prevalent organisational perspective, the organisation will need to formulate and execute a triple top-line strategy to deliver triple bottom line performance and impacts. Interpretation of inclusion depends on whether organisational focus is internal, or is riveted on people, communities, or societies the organisation serves or hopes to impact. Herein inclusion is principally outward-looking, and hence primarily addresses marginalised individuals or groups, including individuals at the base of the pyramid. Organisations aiming to ‘do well, by doing good’ are called for-benefit organisations and are central to this effort and, often, are inclusive businesses. More than ‘doing good’, such organisations may aid disadvantaged or marginalised individuals or groups through beneficial cultural innovation and transformation. Companion to inclusivity is circularity, where businesses focus on resource recovery and redeployment. New business models aiming to direct organisations toward sustainable excellence, will incorporate inclusivity and circularity.