For many years, the business world has prioritised “profit at all costs.” However, given the current environmental and social challenges we face, this approach seems outdated. The new imperative is clear: we need to focus on positive impact goals, and the Future-Fit Business Framework provides the roadmap for this journey.

The Future-Fit Business Framework is an open source tool that can help your business translate the science of ESG into principles, goals, indicators and guides to help any business play its part. This framework aligns to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which serve as a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. At their heart, the SDGs are about fixing how our economy operates. By pursuing future-fitness, all businesses can make credible positive contributions to the SDGs, while simultaneously working to ensure that they aren’t inadvertently undermining progress elsewhere.

While financial sustainability is crucial, considering it as the ultimate achievement is akin to reaching base camp on a mountain climb. Future-fit businesses aim higher, thriving not just for themselves but also for the planet and its inhabitants. They navigate the complexities of our times with profitability, sustainability, and equity as their guiding principles.

Introducing Break-even Goals and Positive Impact Goals.

The methodology is grounded in a robust principles-based definition of a Future-Fit Society: one where waste does not exist, people have the opportunity and capacity to lead fulfilling lives, energy is renewable and available to all, and so on.

23 Break-Even Goals translate these principles into minimum performance thresholds which every business must strive to reach. In addition, 24 Positive Pursuits identify the full range of outcomes a business may deliver to help speed up society’s progress..

Break-even Goals

Break-even Goals represent the minimum standards for responsible business practices. These goals ensure that operations cease to actively harm the planet and people, covering aspects like fair wages, responsible waste management, and ethical sourcing practices. While achieving these goals is essential, they serve as a safety net rather than the ultimate summit.

Positive Impact Goals

On the other hand, Positive Impact Goals are ambitious targets that go beyond mere sustainability. These goals represent audacious commitments that actively contribute to a better future. Examples include pioneering renewable energy solutions, empowering local communities, or closing the gender pay gap. These goals push businesses beyond the usual boundaries, forging a path toward a more equitable and resilient world.

Considering the vast landscape of potential impact, businesses may wonder where to start. Here are three practical steps to kickstart the journey:

1. Map Your Current Impact: Conduct a thorough assessment of your environmental and social footprint. Identify areas for improvement and opportunities for positive change.

2. Prioritise Break-even Goals: Choose essential areas where meeting minimum standards is non-negotiable. Focus on aspects with significant environmental or social implications and leverage data to track progress.

3. Set Your Sights on Positive Impact: Look beyond break-even and identify 1-2 ambitious goals aligned with your values and business mission. Make them specific, measurable, and audacious.

The Future-Fit Business Framework is not a rigid checklist but a dynamic compass for continuous improvement. Adjust your goals as you progress, embrace collaboration, and share your learnings with others. In the face of global challenges, businesses must move beyond the break-even mentality and strive for positive impact goals. 

Measuring Your Progress

The Break-Even Goals are accompanied by a set of progress indicators, each expressed as a percentage. These are designed to help any business identify risks, set interim targets, prioritise actions, anticipate trade-offs, and track progress.

The Future-Fit Business Framework introduces a fresh perspective, urging businesses to move beyond conventional aspirations. Instead of settling for break-even goals, companies are encouraged to set ambitious targets aligned with positive impact. These objectives go beyond the status quo, requiring businesses to take bold steps that actively contribute to societal and environmental betterment.

The key is to just get started

Starting is the key, and for additional support, businesses can explore fractional services to enhance their strategy and activation. By taking that initial step, businesses can align with the Future-Fit Business Framework, setting a trajectory toward a future where financial success coexists with meaningful societal contributions. 

If you are looking for some help to get started and to better understand this framework for your business, get in contact today lauren@laurensalisbury.digital. 

About UpSw!ng

The content in this series is my perspective, open to discussion and healthy challenge, and welcomes ideas and collaboration should you wish to get involved.

It is my objective to represent diverse thinking and inspirational leadership towards a fundamental shift in the way technology and innovation can grow profitable organisations, whilst making positive impacts on the environment and society.

What may feel dramatic now, will be considered visionary in the future!