Executive

Summary

Family firms hold a unique position in

advancing the sustainability agenda. As

businesses that have been forged with future

generations in mind, they constantly balance

performance against legacy and this crucial

equilibrium is central to sustainability.

The need to move to sustainable business

models is becoming clearer every day. In

today’s world – one in which climate tipping

points have been breached and societies

around the world are calling for more equity

– shareholders can no longer be the sole

beneficiaries of value creation. Today, people

and planet must also be considered in every

strategic decision a leadership team makes.

For family businesses, such inclusivity was

often embedded in the founding principles of

the first generation. Their ecosystems have

been organically built around people and

environment, as well as profitability. Doing

well by doing good is embedded in their DNA.

The family perspective naturally compels a

long-term view to be brought into strategy.

That long-term focus provides family firms

with a crucial anchor point for key 

decisionmaking

on strategic reinvention in order

to secure the organization for successive

generations. Some are already investing

in innovation, partnership and positive

disruption to align with the changes that

governments, policymakers and consumers

are increasingly calling for. Answering

that call can safeguard both continuity and

succession.

A broader stakeholder view and a long-term

strategic perspective are among the myriad

strengths that family businesses can share

with the wider business community as it

begins to engage with the sustainability

agenda in clear, measurable ways. We

encourage and welcome the drive to place

purpose at the heart of transformation.

IMD encourages its diverse and talented

thought community to share their valuable

insights and achievements. By using such

real-world, real-impact successes to nourish

new thinking and new directions, we can

continue to strive towards the sustainable

success of all the stakeholders our

businesses serve.