TEDxWarwick - Giselle Weybrecht - How to Make Anything More Sustainable

Summary

The speaker critiques the traditional MBA approach, highlighting a disconnect between business education and real-world sustainability issues. They recount a parable of a fisherman to illustrate the pursuit of wealth versus contentment, and argue for a reimagined MBA curriculum that equips graduates with the skills to integrate sustainability into business practices. Emphasizing the potential impact of business graduates on global challenges, the speaker calls for a shift in business education to better prepare future leaders for creating sustainable solutions.

Takeaways

• 📚 The story of a businessman and a fisherman illustrates the potential disconnect between business success and personal fulfillment, questioning the MBA-driven pursuit of wealth and expansion.
• 🎓 Having an MBA can elicit mixed reactions, with some associating it with a detachment from real-world values and a narrow focus on shareholder value.
• 🌱 The speaker argues that business schools have a crucial role in shaping future leaders who can integrate sustainability into their business practices, rather than viewing it as an afterthought.
• 🔑 Businesses globally are increasingly recognizing the importance of sustainability, understanding it's not just a trend but a fundamental aspect of good business.
• 🚀 The potential of MBA graduates to drive sustainability within organizations is significant, but many lack a deep understanding of these issues due to inadequate education in this area.
• 💼 The traditional MBA focus on post-graduation salary and job placement may not align with the emerging importance of sustainability and social impact in business.
• 🌐 The speaker's personal journey from the UN to pursuing an MBA highlights the need for business education to bridge the gap between business practices and global sustainability challenges.
• 💡 The idea of 'Mottainai', a Japanese concept of regret when resources are wasted, is introduced as a powerful metaphor for the need to value and utilize resources sustainably.
• 🌟 The potential for business schools to become hubs of innovation for sustainability, helping communities and organizations solve real-world problems, is emphasized.
• 💼 The speaker suggests that business schools should be judged on the impact their graduates have on the world, not just on their post-MBA salaries, to encourage a new generation of leaders focused on sustainability.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the story told by the businessman about the fisherman?

The main theme of the story is the contrast between the pursuit of material wealth and success versus the appreciation of a simple, balanced life that the fisherman already enjoys.

What does the acronym 'MBA' stand for and what is its relevance to the script?

MBA stands for Master of Business Administration, a degree program that is relevant to the script as it discusses the role of business education, particularly MBA programs, in fostering sustainability and responsible business practices.

Why does the speaker believe that business schools have a key role in sustainability?

The speaker believes that business schools have a key role in sustainability because they educate the next generation of managers and leaders who will shape the way businesses operate, and thus have the potential to embed sustainability into the core of business practices globally.

What is the issue the speaker identifies with how MBA programs currently approach sustainability education?

The speaker identifies that MBA programs often present sustainability as an add-on or a separate topic, rather than integrating it into the core curriculum. This approach fails to provide graduates with a deep understanding of sustainability and the ability to embed it into their future jobs and careers.

How does the speaker suggest business schools can better prepare students for sustainability in their careers?

The speaker suggests that business schools can better prepare students by integrating sustainability into all aspects of the curriculum, ensuring it is taught as a core part of business practices rather than as a specialized or elective topic.

What example does the speaker give of a business that benefited from engaging with sustainability?

The speaker gives the example of a mid-sized business in Mexico that, after engaging with sustainability, saw increased employee motivation, cost savings through efficiency and waste reduction, and the creation of new products and services, leading to interest from other multinational companies and more job applications from graduates.

Why did the owner of the mid-sized business in Mexico decide to hire MBA graduates?

The owner decided to hire MBA graduates because he believed they would have the knowledge and skills to help his company move forward in sustainability and strengthen the business, given that they were expected to have a better understanding of sustainability issues.

What was the owner's disappointment regarding the MBA graduates he interviewed?

The owner was disappointed because the majority of the MBA graduates he interviewed had only a vague understanding of sustainability, with some considering it irrelevant to real business and others being completely unaware of its significance.

How does the speaker propose business students could contribute to solving sustainability challenges?

The speaker proposes that business students could contribute by working on real-world sustainability challenges as part of their education, creating and implementing innovative solutions, and providing resources and skills to businesses and organizations that lack them.

What does the speaker mean when she refers to 'Muda' and its significance in the context of the script?

The speaker refers to 'Muda' as a Japanese term that means a sense of regret when the intrinsic value of an object or resource is not being properly utilized. In the context of the script, it signifies the wasted potential when business graduates do not apply their knowledge and skills towards sustainability.

What is the speaker's vision for the impact of business graduates on the world?

The speaker envisions a future where business graduates not only understand sustainability but also know how to implement it in their organizations, leading to a global impact where businesses, communities, and the environment all benefit from their actions.