Sustainability is a journey, not just an executive commitment or single program. It is a metamorphosis from what/ who a company is today to what/ who they want/ need to become in the future. Each part of that journey is unique. The analogy is our own human development and growth: each phase of our life brings its own challenges, joys, and opportunities.

Organizational leaders and Boards want a sustainability program that

1. Generates ongoing positive economic return on investment, which should lead to positive societal benefits.

2. Gives them Competitive Advantage by being an integral part of their customer (external and internal) value proposition.

Realizing these objectives requires that strategic planners and executives identity, understand, and overcome tangible and/or intangible roadblocks on their sustainability journey.

This discussion presents an integrated model of organizational sustainability (the sustainability canvas) and the most common barriers to success. Attendees will apply the canvas to their own organizational setting and identify the top 2-3 barriers they must overcome to implement a more effective sustainability program, one that creates competitive advantage.