There are countless events happening all around the world every day.
But every now and then an event comes along and it can change you.
It may not take much — you meet someone new who makes an impact, you learn about a concept that changes your approach, or you just find the break from day-to-day routine is enough to make something click.
This year, the Better Business Summit did all of this and more for me.
What is the Better Business Summit?
The Better Business Summit is a multi day event in Manchester, UK, organised by the Better Business Network. It brings together people from all over the country to talk about making a positive change in the world, through building and running businesses in a more purposeful way.
“Better” is an extremely broad term, but it really does sum up the spectrum of topics and ideas that weave through the Better Business Network and Summit.
Better is not “just” about sustainability and climate, or employee wellbeing, or charitable giving. It’s about questioning the fundamentals of the world and society we live in, about our behaviours as consumers, and about whether we’re even on the right path as a species.
As far as conferences and events go, the Better Business Summit goes deep. It’s a melting pot of ideas and rebels and dreamers and business minds all figuring out what we do to make things better.
It’s chaotic, messy, joyful, and at times tearful. And I love it.
Talks we enjoyed
Could employee-owned businesses be the solution?
Mark Shayler interviewed Simon Blackler (from Krystal) and his launch of USEO. A transformative approach to business and potentially, to society. More on USEO here.
Is everything turning to sh*t?
Sophie Benson interviewed Harry Brook and Lisa Douglas from Patagonia about making products built to last. With similar themes to the Shitthropocene movie (see later in this piece), the chat explored the constant tension of any company that makes products while trying to make a positive impact on the world.
Why is it so hard to donate a kidney?
Azeem Ahmad gave a profoundly thought provoking talk about how and why he donated one of his kidneys to a complete stranger. Talking about a topic like this was enough to start many conversations on a subject that would never come up otherwise.
I found it eye-opening that anyone could find a reason to criticise an act of such generosity, but lo-and-behold, I was proven wrong.
Sustainability? Biodiversity? Big words? Focus on nature
Janine Barron brought us down to earth with a calming talk about our need to focus on nature. There are many buzzwords and complex terms in the world sustainability, ESG, and climate, but in reality, if there was one piece of advice from all of Janine’s talk that I can pass on it’s this: spend more time in nature.
How a British business that makes sweets takes care of its employees
Jonathan Dee shared how Swizzels, a British sweet business that’s been operating since 1928, looks after its employees. I found it inspiring — coming from the world of tech where an “old” business might have been around for five years, to learn about one where some employees have been showing up for over fifty years.
Jonathan also shared many sweets with the audience — including Love Hearts and Squashies. A fantastic trick to get the audience on side!
How to put nature on your board
Alex Pimor and Graham Hansen discussed the practicalities of appointing “nature” to the board of your business. A handful of companies have made this bold step so far, and it’s inspired me to look at the initiative for us at EcoSend.
Financial growth, employees, and customers are often well represented around the board room table, but the planet and Mother Nature are rarely in the room. The “Nature on the Board” initiative aims to change this.
Climate against humanity
Molly Gould of Effable ran a hilariously engaging card game to make you think honestly (and laugh) about your life choices in relation to sustainability. If you’ve ever played Cards Against Humanity, you’d know how this session played out!
Pioneer of the year awards
Perhaps the most inspired I’ve been in a single hour — 5 incredible people shortlisted as pioneering individuals making a positive impact on the world.
It was an honour to see more than half of the finalists also happen to be part of the EcoSend community!
Michelle Miles from Sustainable Wedding Alliance.
You can read Michelle’s case study with us here. Michelle is on a mission to make weddings more sustainable and she’s brought together the largest community of suppliers in the wedding industry to champion sustainability.
Catherine Manning from Impact Reporting
An entertaining pitch from Matt Hamworth who presented for Catherine because she was too humble to enter the award herself. Catherine is making it easier for businesses to measure and understand their climate impact by offering a set of frameworks and documentation for free.
Simon Hall from Airway Medical
Simon won the crowd over from the moment he got on stage to share his innovative medical device that helps patients with breathing difficulties. He succinctly articulated some enormous challenges that the NHS is grappling with to reach its net zero goals. Simon’s beautifully elegant solution is both dramatically more sustainable and 10% of the cost of the current alternative.
Isabel Mack from Party Kit Network
Isabel shared the inspiring story of the Party Kit Network — a worldwide community of people sharing “party kits” — a collection of plastic plates, bowls, and other items — for children’s parties. Not only has the Party Kit Network saved a LOT of plastic waste, it’s also formed a starting point for bringing communities together and encouraging people to think about other ways they can make a positive impact on the world.
Heather Davies from Re-Action Collective
Heather shared the story of the Re-Action Collective, a growing community of people who are capable of repairing and repurposing clothing that would otherwise end up in landfill. Heather’s story was truly inspiring and made me feel rather uncomfortable about the number of clothing items I personally own and have since discarded.
Every one of the finalists was inspiring and deserved a trophy! Ultimately, Simon won the first prize, which was an incredibly moving moment. Simon was almost in tears at the result — clearly having given a lot to the invention he’s so proud of. Thanks to winning, Simon will now feature in an outdoor advertising campaign and gain considerably more exposure thanks to the Better Business Network. Perhaps the best prize of all was that he also received a beautiful flower crown which looked just perfect on him.
Two movies about consumption
Shitthropocene
An incredibly entertaining (if unpronounceably titled) movie about the impending doom of our home planet.
Made by Patagonia, this movie is less than an hour and manages to avoid being a commercial for Patagonia, while providing thought-provoking stats and questions about our lives as consumers, and how brands like Patagonia should balance making and selling products with their goal of being a sustainable and responsible business.
Watch the full movie on Youtube
Actionism
A delightful movie that premiered on the Thursday. In the room was the director Michael Shaw and the star of the film, Ellie.
Actionism follows Ellie, a girl who has just left school and feels deeply worried about the planet she’s going to live on for the rest of her life. Ellie meets with the Re-Action Collective, a bunch of skilled individuals repairing and reusing clothing in the Alps, avoiding countless garments ending up in landfill. The film gives you hope, and is wonderfully moving.
What we learned
The NHS sends enough PPE to landfill every year to fill Wembley Stadium.
We have enough clothes right now to provide for the next 6 generations.
The Party Kit Network saved 1,000,000 single-use plastic items from going to landfill last year.
The ripple effect is real. Even small acts, or engaging with people in the right way, can be enough to start a mindset shift that cascades through communities.
Other notes
In the moment
As far as I’m aware, the talks aren’t filmed. It adds a sense of honesty and closeness. Perhaps a necessary feeling of FOMO. Let’s be honest, if you miss a talk, you’re not going to catch it “later” anyway. I don’t know if it’s related, but I also loved that in every talk, almost no one was on their laptops. Perhaps I’m used to tech events where this can be all too common. There’s something special about a room full of people all engaging on a single topic without distraction.
Name badges
The name badges for the event just have your name on. Not your business. Throughout the event I found this to be a true leveller — people are not seeking out “leads” or dismissing a conversation before it’s even started. One moment you can be talking to a senior executive at Patagonia, the next you’re talking to someone who graduated 3 weeks ago and is at their first ever conference. It’s wonderful and leads to unexpectedly delightful, genuine connections.
The team behind Better Business
Hannah, James, and the team at Better Business Summit are incredible. They bring everyone together and they find this perfect balance of organisation and chaotic energy that makes an event like this so special. They are truly inspiring.
Better Business Network
If you’re reading this and keen to get a taster of the energy of Better Business Summit, you can join the Better Business Network — it’s an incredible community that has been very special for us and given us a tremendous amount of support and encouragement.
Onwards
I’m now on a train home, leaving the ruggedly beautiful, welcoming city of Manchester.
I’m brimming with inspiration and motivation.
I’ve made countless new friends and deepened many relationships.
I can’t wait to put what I’ve learnt into action, and I’m already excited for the next time I can connect with the wonderful people I’ve just met.
See you next time!
