The Natural Step’s 2011 knowledge event series

Sustainability is the most exciting, yet challenging, opportunity of our times.  By attending this two-day learning event you'll learn how to future-proof your organisation for the changes being driven by the need for sustainable development.  You'll join other leaders on a fast-track to the best knowledge based on 20 years of research and practical experience; and learn how to integrate a more strategic approach to sustainable practice that makes good financial sense.

The award winning Natural Step strategic planning system has been carefully designed to ensure a more enduring and sustainable economic approach.  Having worked with hundreds of businesses including brand-leaders like Nike, Panasonic, Electrolux, ICI Paints and InterfaceFLOR, as well as communities such as Whistler, North Vancouver and Dublin, The Natural Step stands out as a leader in its field.

In New Zealand companies like Comvita, Phoenix Organics, Cyclops Yoghurt, Macpac and Tait Electronics have all benefited from understanding how to tackle the root causes of sustainability challenges, rather than wasting time and money treating symptomatic issues.  The Natural Step programme has also been widely used by local government.  Hastings, Christchurch, Nelson and Queenstown are just some of the councils that have taken The Natural Step towards more a robust approach for long-term, strategic planning. 

Who should attend?

This course will enable you understand and grapple with sustainability in a way that makes good financial sense.  It is ideal for:

• Anyone interested in becoming an accredited Natural Step advisor
• Leaders and decision-makers
• Those in strategy development roles
• Procurement managers and staff
• Sustainability / environmental managers and staff
• Anyone with an interest in a more strategic response to sustainability issues

What will I learn?

·         Why sustainability is an issue that’s not going away and how to measure your performance

·         What the future needs to look like for your organisation in a more resource-constrained world, and how to maximise the opportunities it creates

·         How to develop a strategically planned response to sustainability trends

·         How to evaluate the many different measurement and certification tools available, and identify those best suited to your needs

How has The Natural Step training worked for others?

“The Natural Step’s four system conditions for sustainability were the key element of the course for me.  These four conditions made sense both practically and intuitively, and provide an essentially simple concept for defining sustainability.”   Ed Kiddie, Medical Officer of Health, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board

“This course provided an exceptionally stimulating and motivating learning environment.  It perfectly complemented the TNS model which provides a very clear and practical understanding of sustainability for implementation in the real world.”  Sean Barnes, Senior Manager, Aurecon (formerly Connell Wagner)

“This course highlighted logical thinking with an emphasis on business or organisational success rather than feeling too green. The tools are useful and with experience will be relatively simple to use. I would recommend this course to any business or organisation who wishes to compete and be successful in today's market”.  Michelle Elborn, Sustainability Coordinator, Tauranga City Council

VIDEO - 2 minute introduction on The Natural Step approach

 Learning programme overview

This interactive and engaging course is based on a ‘learn, do, review’ approach, which means approximately half of the course is spent working on a case-study organisation in a practical context.  Course pre-reading includes The Natural Step’s award-winning one hour e-learning module.

1.         Introduction to The Natural Step – 20 years of scientific research and applied learning

o        Why The Natural Step is the sustainability partner of choice for businesses

o        Why The Natural Step’s success is growing with communities and local government in Canada, Europe, USA and NZ

2.         The economics of sustainability – and what it means for NZ businesses and communities.

• • The risks of a ‘business as usual’ approach and a stressed resource supply chain
  • How organisations will be pressured to transform, and the opportunities that creates

3.         Efficiencies of systems-thinking - What a ‘whole-of-organisation’ approach really means

o        Why systems-thinking is key to resource efficiency and productivity improvements

o        How to identify and reduce the unforeseen risks from unsustainable practices

4.         Strategic planning for enduring success - how to embed a future-proofed approach

o        Integrating a vision for sustainability that provides security for investment decisions

o        The benefits of embedding sustainability and acceptable returns on investment

5.         Choosing between different options – how to identify and select the right investments

o        Identifying strategically focused initiatives with flexibility for future technological advances

6.         Measuring success – how to identify the right performance measures

o        Current best practice performance and measurement tools

o        Selecting the performance measurement system that’s right for your organisation.

TNSNZ training team - Simon Harvey and Colin Bass

Simon Harvey - Simon is an experienced sustainability advisor and accomplished trainer who has worked with a broad range of businesses and local government agencies.  He has helped organisations like Les Mills, healthAlliance, Bizzone, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, and numerous local councils to integrate sustainable practices at a strategic and cost effective level.  Simon is a senior advisor and current Chief Executive of The Natural Step NZ.   

Colin Bass - Colin is a director of BusinessLAB, a modern change agency utilizing a multi-stakeholder approach to planning for future success.  Through this work he has developed a real passion for helping people work better together with a particular emphasis on the field of sustainable practice.  His clients have included NZTE, Auckland Council, the Hamilton Central Business Association and a wide range of businesses including REEFS, a new exciting brand in the area of refurbished electronic equipment.  He is an accredited advisor with the Natural Step and with the Institute of Accredited Business Consultants.

Guest presenters

Phil Tate – Associate - Corporate Strategy, Act on Insight

With a passion for relating golobal trends to the business of today, Phil has spent the last few years heading up NZ Post's Postal Services Group corproate sustainability efforts.  He recently joined Act on Insight, a modern think tank, to progress their efforts in getting sustainability truely integrated into corporate strategic thinking at Board and CEO level.  He will present his approach on how to do this successfully in today's busy corporate world.

Neville Henderson – Change Management Consultant, Adaptation

Neville has worked in the organisational development world for over 12 years.  His background in applied psychology and human resources has lead to his involvement in a number of interesting culture change projects with a focus on sustainable practice.  Neville has worked with The Public Trust, Cambden Council

To ensure a high quality learning environment, places for this course are strictly limited to 25 people and are allocated on a first come, first in basis. To register your interest or find out more, please contact us at natstep@naturalstep.org.nz.

We look forward to seeing you:

On: 24th and 25th August

At: The Archibald Room, Wellington Zoo, Newton, Wellington