This book sets out a new business paradigm. Author Giles Hutchins presents the challenges to the prevailing 'business as usual' model, explains the pressing need for transformational change, and reveals the concepts and mindsets necessary to inspire the businesses of tomorrow. Going beyond current approaches to responsible and green business, Hutchins focuses on the emergence of new ways of operating and creating value in an increasingly volatile and interconnected world. He makes the compelling case that the 'Firm of the Future' should seek to mimic behaviours and organisations found in nature, which offer fitting models for businesses capable of flourishing in chaotic and uncertain times. A firm of the future, he argues, builds resilience, optimises, adapts, integrates systems, navigates by values and supports life-building activities. It is a business inspired by nature. Showcasing the pioneers of the new paradigm through examples and case studies, the book presents the tools and techniques required to effect the transformation to a business fit for purpose; fit for the future.
Nature of Business, The
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A must-read for everyone involved in the business of the future ... and aren't we all? --Mick Bremans, Chairman, Ecover
A timely, paradigm-shifting book, reframing how business can thrive in the challenging times ahead whilst being a force for good. ... This is a brave book and a must-read for those seeking to make positive change happen in business and beyond. --Hunter Lovins, President of Natural Capitalism Solutions and co-author of Natural Capitalism
This book is the most positive, inspiring and practical guide I have seen. It offers a comprehensive approach to changing organisations, especially wealth-creating businesses, drawing the most beautiful and elegant ideas from nature and a subtle appreciation of human nature. --Jonathan Gosling, Professor of Leadership Studies, Exeter University Business School
A timely, paradigm-shifting book, reframing how business can thrive in the challenging times ahead whilst being a force for good. ... This is a brave book and a must-read for those seeking to make positive change happen in business and beyond. --Hunter Lovins, President of Natural Capitalism Solutions and co-author of Natural Capitalism
This book is the most positive, inspiring and practical guide I have seen. It offers a comprehensive approach to changing organisations, especially wealth-creating businesses, drawing the most beautiful and elegant ideas from nature and a subtle appreciation of human nature. --Jonathan Gosling, Professor of Leadership Studies, Exeter University Business School
A timely, paradigm-shifting book, reframing how business can thrive in the challenging times ahead whilst being a force for good. ... This is a brave book and a must-read for those seeking to make positive change happen in business and beyond. --Hunter Lovins, President of Natural Capitalism Solutions and co-author of Natural Capitalism
This book is the most positive, inspiring and practical guide I have seen. It offers a comprehensive approach to changing organisations, especially wealth-creating businesses, drawing the most beautiful and elegant ideas from nature and a subtle appreciation of human nature. --Jonathan Gosling, Professor of Leadership Studies, Exeter University Business School
A timely, paradigm-shifting book, reframing how business can thrive in the challenging times ahead whilst being a force for good. ... This is a brave book and a must-read for those seeking to make positive change happen in business and beyond. --Hunter Lovins, President of Natural Capitalism Solutions and co-author of Natural Capitalism
This book is the most positive, inspiring and practical guide I have seen. It offers a comprehensive approach to changing organisations, especially wealth-creating businesses, drawing the most beautiful and elegant ideas from nature and a subtle appreciation of human nature. --Jonathan Gosling, Professor of Leadership Studies, Exeter University Business School
About the Author
Giles Hutchins is a management consultant with over 15 years of business and IT transformation experience, formerly with KPMG and Atos International. His passion is exploring ways of applying nature's inspiration to sustainable business transformation. Drawing on a range of theories and practices (such as biomimicry, cradle-to-cradle and industrial ecology), he applys them to the challenges businesses face today, providing practical insight and guidance to help organisations redesign for resilience in these volatile times. He engages with a number of leading non-profit organisations, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Earthwatch, Schumacher College and The World Wildlife Fund, and regularly guest-lectures at leading universities and presents at conferences on sustainable business. In 2009, he co-founded a group of specialists in 'Business Inspired By Nature' called Biomimicry for Creative Innovation (BCI), and has the great pleasure of working collaboratively with some of the best people in ecological thinking for radical transformation. In 2011, as Global Head of Sustainability Solutions for Atos International, Giles contributed to successfully ensuring that Firm of The Future and Sustainable Business became part of the DNA of the company, which employs 78,000 people in over 40 countries.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Alan Moore
Format:Paperback
We have arrived at the adaptive edge of our industrial world, what comes next has to be different and it has to be better. It will require a new way of thinking and doing that creates a regenerative society, and one that is more redistributive of wealth, wealth of knowledge, wealth of social capital, as well as financial capital.
Organisations will need to rethink their role and purpose in society, how they operate, and how they will make their money. We no longer require nor need corrosive corporations that are solely interested in 'shareholder value' and deliver that by the extraction of resources (natural or otherwise) and money from our pockets without truly giving something of value back to the collective good.
And of course the question will be - so what does next look like, and how do we get there? And another question - where do we draw our inspiration?
Giles Hutchins offers us a vantage point showing us that organisations inspired by how nature works will be the ones that will thrive now and in the future. This is a very grounded book, and offers practical advice that evolves into a roadmap of what a better future looks like and one we should all be adopting. Because Giles is motivated by what sustains life, and what makes it thrive, our industrial institutions were designed and built for a time long gone, and the capital market fundamentalism that has dominated our world for the last 30 years has brought us almost to the brink of global disaster.
This book is therefore important and timely for any company thinking not only about their future, but about what a much better future looks like.
Alan Moore
Author: No Straight Lines: making sense of our non-linear world
Organisations will need to rethink their role and purpose in society, how they operate, and how they will make their money. We no longer require nor need corrosive corporations that are solely interested in 'shareholder value' and deliver that by the extraction of resources (natural or otherwise) and money from our pockets without truly giving something of value back to the collective good.
And of course the question will be - so what does next look like, and how do we get there? And another question - where do we draw our inspiration?
Giles Hutchins offers us a vantage point showing us that organisations inspired by how nature works will be the ones that will thrive now and in the future. This is a very grounded book, and offers practical advice that evolves into a roadmap of what a better future looks like and one we should all be adopting. Because Giles is motivated by what sustains life, and what makes it thrive, our industrial institutions were designed and built for a time long gone, and the capital market fundamentalism that has dominated our world for the last 30 years has brought us almost to the brink of global disaster.
This book is therefore important and timely for any company thinking not only about their future, but about what a much better future looks like.
Alan Moore
Author: No Straight Lines: making sense of our non-linear world
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Pete T.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Being an aspiring energy expert, I read this book twice, because I was quite impressed by how unprecedented its message is. What I found very interesting was the innovative decision of its author, Giles Hutchins, to critically examine the existing link between business and nature, to identify its weaknesses and to propose a ground-breaking tutorial about the business of the future.
Unlike popular perception that business will grow at the expense of nature, Mr. Hutchins argues succinctly otherwise. He makes a strong case about the intrinsic value of nature in response to failing business and political models which view biodiversity as an obstacle to progress. Moreover, the author presents a step-by-step advice on how businesses could help themselves in addressing their present sustainability dilemmas and strategic future needs.
This book is for everyone who wants to explore a refreshing perspective on the future of business in the next 10-15 years and how the natural environment may be better integrated in this process. Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Unlike popular perception that business will grow at the expense of nature, Mr. Hutchins argues succinctly otherwise. He makes a strong case about the intrinsic value of nature in response to failing business and political models which view biodiversity as an obstacle to progress. Moreover, the author presents a step-by-step advice on how businesses could help themselves in addressing their present sustainability dilemmas and strategic future needs.
This book is for everyone who wants to explore a refreshing perspective on the future of business in the next 10-15 years and how the natural environment may be better integrated in this process. Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend it.
By Dan Katz
Format:Paperback
The Nature of Business is the future of business. Capitalism gone awry has forced businesses everywhere to make unconscious and unsustainable supply chain and operations decisions just to stay afloat. Unfortunately these business decisions have led to a materialist, over stimulated and disease prone society. As a result there is an alarming increase of stress, depression, and psychosomatic conditions particularly among younger generations. Fortunately, The Nature of Business provides us with the balance we so desperately need.
Hutchins provides examples of a plethora of businesses which have unlocked nature's secrets to achieve triple bottom line prosperity. In so doing, Hutchins forms a clear and compelling case to change our ways not just because we need to but because it makes business sense. It is truly inspiring to explore how soil composition and the way leaves form a "carpet" on a forest floor can catalyze a more intelligent approach to business. However, Hutchins' most resonating message is the incentive that comes from applying natures' principles to business principles; conscious business practice encourages individual well-being and supports a harmonious society.
Hutchins provides examples of a plethora of businesses which have unlocked nature's secrets to achieve triple bottom line prosperity. In so doing, Hutchins forms a clear and compelling case to change our ways not just because we need to but because it makes business sense. It is truly inspiring to explore how soil composition and the way leaves form a "carpet" on a forest floor can catalyze a more intelligent approach to business. However, Hutchins' most resonating message is the incentive that comes from applying natures' principles to business principles; conscious business practice encourages individual well-being and supports a harmonious society.
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