The Ethical Business Blog
Sarah Duncan
I am a Sustainable Business Advisor, Ethical Marketing Consultant, Trainer, and Author of The Ethical Business Book and The Sustainable Business Book (out March 2023).
Through training, consultancy and guest speaking, I help businesses understand the commercial and moral benefits of sustainable and ethical business practice (or ESG – Environmental, Social, Governance).
But this is not an eco-war on commerce. Making a profit is not in itself a bad thing, it’s how you make it and what you do with it that matters. I advise on how to make sustainability a genuine part of your business culture and day-to-day practice, not just a tick-box exercise (or race to be the ‘least bad’).
I try and simplify this highly complex area and help companies make sustainability work for them, in a long-term, authentic and holistic way. Email me: sarah@sleepinglion.co.uk
The Ethical Business Book
The Ethical Business Book is a practical, non-preachy guide to business sustainability (shortlisted and Highly Commended at the 2020 Business Book Awards).
The word ‘ethical’ here is used as an overarching term that covers better, more thoughtful corporate behaviour. Much of the content promotes best practices, not (yet) legal requirements. But as governments start taking their responsibilities more seriously, we are likely to see companies penalised for poor corporate behaviour and incentivised for good behaviour.
In recent years, the spotlight has been very much on environmental issues, driven by the climate crisis. The term ‘sustainability’ has been used more and more – which aligns the ability for the planet to survive with long-term business survival.
Now in 2022, we are hearing more of the societal side of the debate. The importance of not just saving the planet (after all the planet will go on long after us), but saving a world that is safe and equitable for all of us to thrive on.
Whether you choose to use the word ethical or sustainable (or ESG), the important point is that when you review your corporate actions you consider your impact on all stakeholders – people and our planet.
A great book to inspire individuals to find ways to do well, by doing good
It would unethical for any business serious about ethics not to read this book
This is a serious book for anyone who wants to better understand how to profit from treating the Earth’s resources responsibly.
As essential read for any business leader who is looking for a path to build a more sustainable business.
This book helps turn good intentions about ethical business into action. Brilliant.
Adopting the philosophy of it starts here, this book demystifies ethical changes, with the emphasis on the practical.
This book is the next iteration of what responsibility looks like in business.
The Ethical Business Book is a valuable and pragmatic guide to creating businesses that both contribute to society and grow profit.
This book is zen-like in style; Scandi-like in its uncluttered foucs; and a clear guide to taking simple, effective action.
Recent Posts
Posts include one page summaries of over 25 relevant ethical and business sustainability books, content from The Ethical Business Book, more of my own articles and other useful resources.
CLIMATE CHANGE: A Very Short Introduction
CLIMATE CHANGE: A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION - Mark Maslin WHAT THE BOOK SAYS This is a short book that has [...]
SPEED & SCALE
SPEED & SCALE - John Doerr The one-sentence summary: This is a global action plan for solving our climate [...]
ECONOMICS FOR A FRAGILE PLANET
ECONOMICS FOR A FRAGILE PLANET - Edward Barbier The one-sentence summary: Managing an increasingly fragile planet requires new thinking [...]
VOLT RUSH
VOLT RUSH - Henry Sanderson The one-sentence summary: You do have to mine to produce minerals for a clean [...]
BDO: GROWING MORE SUSTAINABLE
Sarah Duncan, HOSPA’s sustainability advisor and author, The Ethical Business Book, shares her key learnings from BDO's latest sustainability [...]
Certified B Corp
Having followed the movement closely, and having met some pretty cool people involved, we decided to go for it [...]
NET ZERO – HOW WE STOP CAUSING CLIMATE CHANGE
NET ZERO How We Stop Causing Climate Change - Dieter Helm The one sentence summary: We can stop causing [...]
How to B a Better Business
It was pleasure being involved in this Flock event ..,. "Sarah Duncan, our moderator for How to B a [...]
HOSPACE 2021
SUSTAINABILITY - IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN? Click image to view the interview.
NET POSITIVE
Net Positive - Polman & Winston The one sentence summary: Courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take. [...]
THE POWER OF CARTOONS
Says it all ......
SUSTAINING US ALL
Short piece from HOSPA’s recent 'sustainability live' Twitter event.