Exploring Stakeholder Engagement of The Sandbox: Digging Deep With the Flourishing Business Canvas (FBC)
Welcome back to our newsletter series, where we delve into the intricacies of understanding business narratives through the Flourishing Business Canvas (FBC) lens. In this edition, we unravel the dynamic conversations between Lesley and Rob within their weekly Sandbox sessions, focusing on their exploration of holistic business models and stakeholder engagement.
What makes this conversation unique is its continuation of mapping out their own relationship and business model and understanding in more depth, what brought them together in the first place. They are both driven by seeking better ways to do business, but how do they best support one another and their communities and see businesses through transformation? Grounded in their original purpose and principles, find out where the journey takes them!
Understanding Goals and Purpose
Lesley and Rob’s discussions center around the fundamental question: What are our goals, and why are they essential? As they reflect on their purpose of openly exploring holistic business models, they emphasize the importance of prioritizing play over perfection and co-creating a community that moves at the speed of trust. This introspection prompts them to revisit their purpose as individuals, business owners and stakeholders in the Sandbox.
Navigating Stakeholder Governance and Decision-Making
Continuing their in-depth conversation from last week, where they identified stakeholders of the Sandbox, a critical aspect of their dialogue revolves around stakeholder governance and decision-making. Lesley and Rob probe the dynamics of assigning governance rights to stakeholders and the implications for value co-creation or co-destruction. They discuss the necessity of cooperative decision-making approaches, emphasizing the need for ongoing engagement and dialogue with various stakeholders, including the FBC community, Swell Impact and Conscious Brands.
Co-Creation of Value and Identifying Needs
Lesley and Rob’s conversation extends beyond theoretical frameworks to practical considerations of value co-creation and identifying needs. They explore the concept of “knowing with,” emphasizing the importance of sharing knowledge and expertise within communities. However, they also acknowledge the challenge of articulating needs and the potential value destruction in not advocating for what is required.
Exploring Tools and Initiatives
The discussion evolves into exploring tools and initiatives to support businesses in navigating frameworks and understanding their unique narratives. Lesley and Rob contemplate the possibility of offering tailored services to assist businesses in their journey toward sustainability and social impact. They envision leveraging their expertise to guide businesses in identifying goals, navigating frameworks, and fostering stakeholder engagement in their areas of expertise.
Next Steps: Celebrating Success and Planning for Growth
As they conclude their dialogue, Lesley and Rob set their sights on the future, aligning their goals with the upcoming phases of growth and celebration. They commit to celebrating their successes, assessing progress, and planning for new initiatives that further their mission of co-creating a community of purpose-driven businesses.
Wrapping up, Lesley and Rob’s Sandbox conversations exemplify the power of dialogue and collaboration in understanding and navigating the complexities of business narratives. Through their exploration of the Flourishing Business Canvas, they pave the way for businesses to embrace holistic approaches, prioritize stakeholder engagement, and strive for sustainable impact. Stay tuned for the final installment of our series, where we dig into actionable strategies for implementing the insights gained from the Sandbox discussions.
Would you like to understand how frameworks such as the FBC and the B Impact Assessment could help you reimagine your business as a force for good? Lesley and Rob encourage you to get in touch. Thank you for reading!
Time Stamp:
Waxing Moon / Grow — Growing, expanding, and building momentum in business endeavours.
Spring (S1) — Renewal, growth, and new beginnings.
May — Embrace creativity, explore new markets, and foster a culture of growth.
Rob Sinclair is the founder of Conscious Brands, a firm that helps organizations transition from shareholder governance to stakeholder-driven organizations. Lesley Robb is the founder of Swell Impact, a firm specializing in branding and sustainability strategies for the tourism sector. Together, they openly explore holistic business models by prioritizing play over perfection and co-creating community.
