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.
Expert Advice / Sleeping Lion
Buy The Ethical Business Book
Out March 2023
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.
HOW TO SAVE OUR PLANET – THE FACTS
How To Save Our Planet - Professor Mark Maslin Summary: There are many books on climate change. Some want [...]
The Big Con
A depressing but important read: The Big Con: How Big Polluters are advancing a "net zero" agenda to delay, [...]
Greenwashing
A short piece from me (for the Norwegian British Chamber of Commerce) on Greenwashing. Aimed not so much at [...]
Putting short-term profit, before long-term loyalty
Are some hotel Revenue Management tactics putting short-term profit before long-term customer loyalty? Thank you Thomas Finn for such a lovely [...]
THE NEW CLIMATE WAR: the fight to take back our planet
The New Climate War - Michael E. Mann The two-sentence summary: 70% of global emissions come from the same [...]
HOW TO AVOID A CLIMATE DISASTER
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster - Bill Gates One sentence summary: Figuring out how to get all the [...]
A journey of a thousand miles …..
If you are still struggling to get to grips with the complex world of Sustainability and how it affects [...]
WHAT IF SOLVING THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS SIMPLE?
What If Solving The Climate Crisis Is Simple? - Tom Bowman The one sentence summary: The climate crisis is [...]
CHALLENGE THE BRIEF
It is natural for people to have an over-inflated view of their brands, products or services, but some professional [...]
SUSTAINABLE MARKETING – HOW TO DRIVE PROFITS WITH PURPOSE
Sustainable Marketing - Carvill, Butler & Evan The one sentence summary: In the modern age of authenticity, organisations ignore [...]
