The first morning of SB London featured some excellent speakers and stories, from Lyf Shoes’ Aly Khalifa to Michael Dickstein from Heineken to B&Q’s Chris Moss. Between them, this brilliant lineup delivered some great insights, accompanied by several common themes. Happily, they spell the first two objectives of the entire conference. Here they are:
The first morning of SB London featured some excellent speakers and stories, from Lyf Shoes’ Aly Khalifa to Michael Dickstein from Heineken to B&Q’s Chris Moss. Between them, this brilliant lineup delivered some great insights, accompanied by several common themes. Happily, they spell the first two objectives of the entire conference. Here they are:
Nine Insights
R is for realising your assets to push sustainability. From a brand’s Facebook page to scientific rigour, there are probably assets that could be harnessed better for sustainability;
E is for educate. There’s a limit to how much sustainability that can simply be absorbed;
I is for illuminate your mind. What will be your lightbulb moment when it comes to sustainability?
The role of art in climate, sustainability and regeneration discourse
Benjamin Von Wong’s activist artistry transcends mere visual appeal — underlining the essential role of art in climate, sustainability and regeneration discourse. Join us as he explores the incredible potential of art as cultural commentary in raising awareness, and taking our shared behavioral and cultural pursuits to the next level — Wed, May 8, at Brand-Led Culture Change.
A is for authenticity. Don’t even try to tell a story without this.
G is for gathering case studies (particularly for these parts of the organisation that might still be hiding from you);
I is for imagine a different future. Then innovate.
N is for no waste. And not taking no for an answer.
E is for experience. From experiencing the need to change, to watching the manufacturing of sustainable shoes, real experience is a pre-requisite for significant change.
Nine Common Themes
R is for real examples. See G above;
E is for extracting the best from history; from the age-old power of storytelling to traditional skills given a new lease of life for a sustainable age;
D is for digital, and … digital alone won’t deliver sustainability, but teamed with other channels just might;
E is for enabling — a common mindset and a common culture;
S is for small ideas matter. Often as much as the big ones.
I is for investigating with excitement. You never know what you might find.
G is for go together, go further (as opposed to going alone and going faster)
N is for never the right time. But if not now, when?
The third theme of SB London is Regenerate. You’ll need to wait until tomorrow for that pneumonic. But in the meantime, create your own regeneration cloak, made from purpose and passion, teamed with sandals of humility (thanks Holonomics!).
Published Nov 4, 2014 1pm EST / 10am PST / 6pm GMT / 7pm CET
Sally oversees Forum’s mission to accelerate a big shift towards a sustainable future by catalysing transformational change in global systems.