Business evolution: why culture is key to sustainable success 

I’ve recently been running a series of events for local businesses in conjunction with my wonderful local BID on business evolution.  For businesses to be sustainable they not only need to consider and manage their impact on people and planet externally, but they must set themselves up for success internally too – to ultimately remain financially viable and achieve that all important third P – profit. 

I thought I’d share some of my thinking in a series of blogs here – the first of which focuses on business culture. 

Embedding resilience and adaptability into businesses operations is going to be key to business success over the next few years.  At the heart of this transformation lies business culture, which defines “how we do business” through shared values, behaviours, and practices. 

What is business culture and why does It matter? 

Business culture encompasses the core beliefs that guide decision-making, turning values into actions. It impacts every part of an organisation: 

  • Shapes identity and values. 

  • Attracts and retains top talent. 

  • Drives engagement and productivity. 

  • Enhances customer relations. 

  • Builds resilience and adaptability. 

A strong, forward-looking culture is no longer optional—it’s essential for navigating complex challenges and sustaining long-term success. 

 

The evolution of business culture 

Modern business culture is undergoing significant changes driven by three critical factors: 

Flexibility: 

  • Adoption of remote and hybrid working models. 

  • Emphasis on autonomy, control, and outcomes over process. 

Technology: 

  • Use of data-driven decision-making and equitable access to tech. 

  • Leveraging tools for collaboration, learning, and upskilling. 

Responsibility: 

  • Embedding purpose, sustainability, diversity, and practical empathy into operations. 

 

Creating an entrepreneurial culture 

While business culture as a whole lays the foundation for a sustainable and resilient organisation, entrepreneurial culture takes these principles a step further. It embodies many of the best practices we associate with strong business culture—promoting innovation, empowering employees, and fostering adaptability. In many ways, entrepreneurial culture represents the natural evolution of modern business culture, providing a framework that encourages creativity, agility, and shared ownership.  

Entrepreneurial cultures are characterised by being: 

  • Experimental: Encouraging curiosity and calculated risk-taking. 

  • Empowering: Giving employees ownership and a voice. 

  • Diverse: Welcoming different perspectives and ideas. 

  • Passionate: Instilling shared enthusiasm for achieving goals. 

  • Innovative: Finding fresh solutions to challenges. 

 

Practical Steps to Foster Entrepreneurial Thinking: 

  1. Start with leadership: 

    • Leaders must model entrepreneurial behaviors—being open to risks, sharing decision-making, and treating employees as partners. 

  2. Empower employees: 

    • Create safe spaces for experimentation and learning from failures 

    • Actively seek ideas and recommendations from your team 

    • Encourage ownership and accountability 

  3. Promote continuous learning: 

  • Prioritise upskilling and personal development to equip employees for evolving challenges. 

 

Sustainability meets business culture: 

Great business cultures align with sustainability by: 

  • Driving social value and engaging employees 

  • Focusing on equity, well-being, and environmental responsibility 

  • Balancing operational goals with long-term impact on people and the planet 

By combining the principles of sustainability with entrepreneurial thinking, businesses can evolve into adaptable, purpose-driven organisations set up for long-term success. 

 

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Business evolution: why innovation is a vital part of sustainable success 

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Lessons in sustainability