How we work

The Sustainable Business Network provides a wide range of support for businesses looking to be more sustainable. But ultimately we work to accelerate the transition to an equitable and sustainable future. We aim to change the systems that make the dominant economic system so extractive, unfair and unsustainable.

Since 2014, SBN has adopted and adapted the Big Shift approach developed by Forum for the Future in the UK. The Big Shift describes the process of system change in six steps. It provides us with a simple framework for generating impact with our work.

1. Experiencing the need for change

Our news and insights identify and clarify sustainability issues. Our events, and those of our partners, inspire people to work together on them.

2. Diagnosing the system

Our reports analyse the systems we all work with. Who holds the power? How might change happen? Where is innovation needed? We collaborate with key people and organisations to begin processes of innovation and change. We share our understanding and challenges.

3. Creating pioneering practices

Our projects co-create and highlight better ways to work.

4. Enabling the tipping point

Our work employs the latest and best ideas, like the circular economy and Doughnut Economics. Our insights and case studies support them to grow and multiply, from niche to mainstream.

 

The final two steps are about continuing to establish and scale the change. This is not the core of our work, but we maintain a role. For example, we advocate for the needed policies and infrastructure.

 

5. Sustaining the transition

We seek to sustain the transition by supporting the commercialisation and sharing of new ideas and ways of doing things. We do this through our network and the creation of appropriate new groups.

6. Setting the new rules of the mainstream.

We advocate for changes to be cemented into the mainstream. This includes the role our Founder and CEO Rachel Brown plays in advising a variety of government agencies. We support policy change, attitudinal shifts and promote continued evidence of success.

 

Beyond that we are always exploring new ways of understanding and doing our work. This includes our commitment to our improving our knowledge and practice of te reo, tikanga and Te Ao Māori. It’s also about taking a deeper look at our place in the world at this time.

We believe that the application of these processes is what will bring about the changes we need.