1st Edition

The ISIS Agreement How Sustainability Can Improve Organizational Performance and Transform the World

By Alan AtKisson Copyright 2008

    This is the must-have book for leaders in business, organizations and government who are scrambling to get a grip on sustainability while improving performance in the era of climate change. Renowned business and sustainability consultant Alan AtKisson distils decades of wisdom and experience into this highly readable and motivational work. Covering theory and practice, obstacles and opportunities, case studies and poignant personal anecdotes, The ISIS Agreement draws the reader ever deeper into a global 'conspiracy of hope.' The core of the book is AtKisson's potent Accelerator, adopted for use in dozens of countries by business, governments, and organizations such as UNEP. A comprehensive toolkit that helps integrate sustainability into organizations, initiatives and plans, it can be used by any group, organization, business, community or region, in virtually any context. Central to the Accelerator is the potent ISIS (Indicators, Systems, Innovation, Strategy) method that teaches leaders how to create a whole-systems view of their organization, to identify and understand blockages and opportunities, and to leverage the potential for innovative change that adds value and accelerates progress towards sustainability.

    Prologue: The Myth of Isis and Osiris * Preface: A Letter to H * The Hope Graph * The Meeting at Hotel Petrol * The Golden Coffin * Murder in The Big Easy * Solving a Very Big Problem * Make Money, Do Good . . . and Save the World * A Compass for the 21st Century * How to Build a Pyramid * Journey into the Amoeba * Playing with Power * An Army for Sustainability * Coda * Index

    Biography

    Alan AtKisson is President and CEO of The AtKisson Group, an international sustainability consultancy to business and government (see www.AtKisson.com). He is also the author of the best selling Believing Cassandra (Chelsea Green, 1999) and co-author of The Natural Advantage of Nations (Earthscan, 2006).

    'Clearly another winner!' Sustainability Indicators 'AtKisson's Accelerator tools and ISIS Method are powerful - I've seen them in action. This book is the essential guide, while also being an inspiring and informative read for just about anybody.' Hunter Lovins, President and founder of the Natural Capitalism Solutions 'AtKisson at his best.' Herman Mulder, independent adviser, former Senior Executive Vice President of ABN AMRO 'A must-read book.' Manuel Baigorri, Director, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Levi Strauss Europe, Middle East and Africa 'A powerful tonic for hope.' Darcy Hitchcock, co-author of The Business Guide to Sustainability 'The ISIS Agreement is awesome ... and gives those of us who've stepped up to the plate and been doing this work for years some reference points and the feeling that we are actually doing something.' Nancy Lee Bentley, Wholistic Health Expert & Author of Truly Cultured www.TrulyCultured.com 'The ideal entry point for leaders and innovators in all organizations for understanding and instituting change towards sustainability ... essential, transformative reading for leaders in business, organizations, and government, and professionals of all description in all sectors who are working on whole systems change in pursuit of strategies for innovation, sustainability, and profitability, as well as students in business and management.' Sustainable Village