Recharge and get ready

Recharge and get ready

I posted this on LinkedIn yesterday and received so many heartfelt messages and responses that I'm sending it out as today's newsletter...

Here’s why I won’t be posting much over August – and why I urge all of us to take a proper break.

For anyone working to accelerate thriving, sustainable and equitable business models, 2023 has already been harder, busier and more rewarding than we could have expected.

In the last few weeks alone we’ve scored a historic victory in Europe towards new legal protections for nature and biodiversity. In the UK, just a few days ago dozens of leading businesses publicly called on Prime Minister Sunak to step up on decarbonising the economy, pledging to invest billions themselves. Coincidentally it was the same day I and others who had advised the Government on COP26 issued a similar call.

More and more we hear these examples of people coming together to demand a more hopeful future, and often from very different walks of life. When CEOs, employees, activists, forward-looking politicians, young people, their grandparents and so many others are all starting to push in the same direction, we know something is starting to give.?

It’s urgently needed, as the just-experienced?hottest global week on record reminds us once more. And for every example of unity and urgency, unfortunately there are ten more of division and delay. Even though we are doing more than ever, and waking up on climate especially, our planetary crisis is still going faster than we are.

The truth is that this fight we’re in, for humanity’s survival and for our beautiful planet, is not going to get easier any time soon. As the connected threats of climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity and inequality become more tangible and real, the extreme forces in our societies will react even more strongly.

Vested interests will do everything they can to protect the status quo, even if means to hell with the rest of the planet. Extreme cynics will struggle to work with others who do not share their world views, and they will see every attempt at collective action and compromise as some sort of betrayal or conspiracy.?

But as the extremes dig in, it’s up to those of us in the middle to work harder than ever to find each other, to build bridges, to collaborate, and put differences aside for the sake of the common good.

Building bridges is exhausting. Partnership, especially with those you don’t always agree with, requires more courage than any act of going-it-alone. And will likely attract criticism.

But it’s what the world needs – and we have no other choice. We will step up to this moment in history, because we must. And more and more people around the world, including in positions of power, are realising this every day.??

So take a break. Take a breath. Eat, sleep, read a good book and be with the people you love. Recharge and get ready. And always remember the famous line: “first they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you. And then you win”.?

We keep going?#NetPositive?????

Joseph Hess

Smart World in Green?

1 年

A truly #NetPositive famous line! As an "early gamer" in renewables I lived/am living it.

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Fokhrul Islam

Logo & Brand Identity Designer

1 年

Hello Paul Polman, Your dedication to the concept of "Net Positive" is both visionary and commendable! ?? It's inspiring to see leaders like you advocating for a sustainable and regenerative approach to business and the environment. The idea of going beyond minimizing negative impacts to actively contribute to a better world is exactly the kind of mindset we need to tackle the pressing challenges of our time. I'd love to learn more about your thoughts on how businesses can effectively implement a Net Positive strategy and the impact it can have on not just the environment but also on their bottom line and societal well-being. Thank you for your continued commitment to creating a more sustainable and equitable future. Your insights and leadership are invaluable in driving meaningful change. Best regards, [Fokhrul Islam]

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Ronen Lamdan

Transformational CRO | Driving Revenue Growth for SaaS/B2B Startups | Expert in Go-To- Market Strategies

1 年

Paul, thanks for sharing!

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Mosala Sehloho

Data Executive @ Smart-Data (SA) | Data Management

1 年

Hello Friends,? My name is Mosala, a Digital Salesman from SGI Corporate Gifts South Africa, we help Organizations like yours, increases client retention rates. I know how much we can forget to show appreciation after a sale. Statistics show that once a deal event has occurred 46% of business forget to show appreciation toward their client especially at reciprocation initiation phase, as result research has also shown that 72% of most businesses?client acquisitions end with high marketing costs and low retention rates. ? I would like to assist in rewarding clients so we keep them longer. For example, we offer luxury gift products that target retention revenue. We manage and service personal reciprocation, client-repeat sales frequency reciprocation and staff reward behavior management solutions. We offer a range of products that add more value than their investment. In essence we help you say thank you so it can go long way! ? Let's Change the World one Gift at a time. Thank you again! Personal Email:[email protected]? Company Website:?www.sgi.limited

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Rajeshwar Bachu

Top Green Voice | Building Zero-Carbon Future | Entrepreneur | Sustainability Visionary | U30 | Empowering Startups | Climate Advocate | Thought Leader | Writer | Marketing Guru | Public Speaker | Digital Tech Innovation

1 年

Absolutely thrilled to see such a powerful resonance among people! Your dedication to fostering a #NetPositive community is inspiring. Looking forward to more insightful newsletters. Keep up the fantastic work!

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