Today, the success of a company can no longer be measured solely by its short-term profits. Companies are called upon to take responsibility for their actions towards shareholders and stakeholders – employees, customers, suppliers, communities and the environment. At RoundMap®, we understand the need for businesses to thrive while acting ethically and distributing the value they create more equitably. That’s why we developed the STRIVE+THRIVE Cycle: a model designed to help companies grow responsibly, distribute profits equitably, and generate long-term impact.
But what does it mean to thrive in today’s business landscape? And how does this differ from simply seeking short-term gains? The answer lies in how we align profit realization with purpose-driven impact. The STRIVE+THRIVE Cycle is based on a simple but profound idea: to thrive, companies must strive, but they must do so within ethical constraints, ensuring that growth is responsible and that benefits are shared fairly. Let’s explore how.
Le paradoxe de la croissance : S'efforcer ou prospérer
Les modèles d’entreprise traditionnels sont souvent axés sur la lutte – luttepour atteindre les objectifs trimestriels, recherche du profit et externalisation des coûts dans la mesure du possible. Cela peut permettre aux entreprises de croître à court terme, mais souvent au détriment de la durabilité à long terme. En revanche, les entreprises prospères reconnaissent l’importance des bénéfices à court terme et de l’impact à long terme.
Le cycle de prospérité fait le lien entre ces deux forces apparemment opposées. Il embrasse le paradoxe selon lequel les entreprises doivent continuer à s’efforcer de prospérer, mais elles doivent le faire de manière à internaliser la responsabilité de leurs actions. La croissance ne doit pas se faire au prix d’une externalisation des effets négatifs sur la société, l’environnement ou les générations futures.
Ainsi, la prospérité ne se limite pas à l’augmentation des bénéfices, mais elles’accompagne d’une plus grande responsabilité, d’un impact positif sur toutes les parties prenantes et d’une répartition équitable de la valeur.
Le cycle Thrive : Décomposer le cadre
The STRIVE+THRIVE cycle is based on six core principles, each represented by a letter in the acronym T.H.R.I.V.E.:
T – Transparency
Transparency is the cornerstone of trust. In the prosperity cycle, companies operate openly and clearly in decision-making, governance, and communication. Stakeholders need to understand what the company does, why, and how. This transparency strengthens ties with stakeholders and sets the stage for long-term impact.H – Holistic Impact
Gone are the days when companies could afford to think in silos. Holistic impact means looking at the big picture – considering not only the financial bottom line, but also the environmental, social, and economic impact of the company’s activities. The Thrive cycle helps businesses internalize both positive and negative effects, ensuring that their footprint is sustainable and beneficial.A – Responsible
growth Growth is essential for the survival of companies, but responsible growth means prospering within ethical constraints. It is about growing within environmental limits, valuing human rights and promoting the long-term prosperity of all stakeholders. Profit remains essential, but it is no longer the only driver – it is a way to make a bigger impact.I – Inclusivity
The Thrive cycle is deeply inclusive for stakeholders. No business can thrive in isolation. It must cooperate and align with a diverse network of value actors – employees, customers, suppliers, communities and the environment. Inclusivity ensures that every stakeholder has a voice and that their well-being is considered in decision-making processes.V – Value-oriented
At the heart of successful companies is a value-oriented mindset. The prosperity cycle ensures that value is not only created for shareholders, but for all participants in the company’s ecosystem. This value goes beyond financial gain and includes the emotional, societal and environmental benefits that a company can generate.E – Distribution équitable
La répartition équitable des bénéfices est la caractéristique essentielle d’une entreprise prospère. Les actionnaires ou les dirigeants ne doivent pas thésauriser les bénéfices ; ceux-ci doivent être répartis équitablement entre tous les acteurs de valeur – employés, fournisseurs et communautés qui ont contribué à leur création. La répartition équitable garantit que chacun bénéficie du succès de l’entreprise et que les bénéfices financent les efforts de développement durable, réinvestissent dans les communautés et stimulent l’innovation future.
Le pont entre l'effort et la prospérité : Croissance responsable et répartition équitable
The prosperity cycle makes it clear that businesses can and should make a profit. However, it is how those profits are distributed and used that determines whether a company is simply striving to survive or whether it is thriving in a way that creates long-term value for all.
At the center of this model is a powerful bridge: the link between responsible growth and the equitable distribution of benefits. This link allows companies to move from a profit-centric and present-centric approach to a stakeholder-centric and future-centric approach. It encourages companies to internalize their responsibilities, taking full responsibility for the harmful effects of their products while sharing the benefits fairly across their entire value network.
This model also highlights the importance of shared value networks, which are business ecosystems where companies collaborate to achieve common goals . These value networks allow companies to recycle, reallocate and reuse resources, reducing waste and promoting sustainability. By working together, companies in these shared value networks can amplify their collective impact and mitigate the negative effects of growth.
Exemples concrets de répartition équitable des bénéfices, source d'impact
The following examples from a variety of industries show how companies use profits to benefit all stakeholders, from employees to communities, while ensuring long-term sustainability. Whether it’s profit-sharing programs, corporate philanthropy, or sustainability investments, these examples show that a fair distribution of profits promotes business success and contributes to the wealth and well-being of many people. This approach is in line with the core principles of the STRIVE+THRIVE cycle, in which responsible growth and equitable distribution of benefits create value beyond immediate financial gains:
Profit-sharing programs: Many companies have profit-sharing models in place in which employees, regardless of rank, participate in the company’s success. For example, some companies, such as mid-sized companies in the technology sector, have shown that profit sharing increases employee satisfaction and productivity and helps to reduce the income gap. This results in more engaged employees who feel involved, which translates into better performance and long-term stability for the company (eFinancialModels) (Harvard Business School Online).
Salesforce’s 1-1-1 model: Salesforce has developed a model that distributes 1% of its equity, revenues, and employee time to nonprofits, proving that companies can balance profit and social impact. Salesforce’s increased revenue comes with an increase in its social contribution, proving that philanthropy and profit can coexist and lead to sustainable business. By integrating this principle into its business model, Salesforce demonstrates that companies can share their wealth with the communities in which they operate while continuing to grow (Harvard Business School Online).
Lego’s commitment to sustainability: Lego’s approach shows how companies can reinvest their profits in long-term, high-impact projects. Lego is committed to using sustainable materials for all its products by 2030, showing that profits can be reinvested to support circular economies and environmental health, to the benefit of the company and society (Harvard Business School Online).
L‘intégration des facteurs ESG pour une croissance à long terme: Une étude de McKinsey a montré que les entreprises qui intègrent les facteurs environnementaux, sociaux et de gouvernance (ESG) dans leurs stratégies de base tendent à surpasser leurs pairs à long terme. Ces “triples surperformances” ne traitent pas les facteurs ESG comme une réflexion après coup, mais comme une partie intégrante de leur stratégie de rentabilité, prouvant ainsi que les entreprises peuvent croître de manière durable tout en réduisant leur empreinte environnementale et en améliorant les résultats sociaux(McKinsey & Company).
Ces exemples illustrent la manière dont une répartition équitable des bénéfices et une croissance responsable peuvent contribuer à la réussite des entreprises et à l’obtention d’avantages sociétaux plus larges. Lorsque les entreprises adoptent cet état d’esprit, elles contribuent à créer un avenir plus juste et plus durable, conformément aux principes qui sous-tendent le cycle STRIVE+THRIVE.
Un appel à l'action : L'avenir des entreprises est équitable et impactant
The STRIVE+THRIVE cycle is not only a framework for responsible growth, it is a call to action for companies to take full responsibility for their actions. We believe that companies should aim for more than profit; they must aim for impact, sustainability and equity. And when they do, they will thrive in a way that benefits all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
It’s time to move beyond the traditional value chain – which often outsources costs and prioritizes short-term gains – and embrace anetwork of shared values that prioritizes long-term impact, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
At RoundMap®, we believe that the businesses of the future will thrive by taking care not only of themselves, but also of the ecosystems of which they are a part. The Prosperity Cycle is the blueprint that will guide them on this path. Will your company be part of it?
Réflexion finale
Face à la complexité du XXIe siècle, les entreprises ont une occasion unique de créer un avenir plus équitable et plus durable. Le cycle STRIVE+THRIVE fournit la feuille de route pour ce voyage – assurant la rentabilité et l’objectif, la croissance et la responsabilité, et finalement, l’effort et l’épanouissement.
Author
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Edwin Korver is a polymath celebrated for his mastery of systems thinking and integral philosophy, particularly in intricate business transformations. His company, CROSS-SILO, embodies his unwavering belief in the interdependence of stakeholders and the pivotal role of value creation in fostering growth, complemented by the power of storytelling to convey that value. Edwin pioneered the RoundMap®, an all-encompassing business framework. He envisions a future where business harmonizes profit with compassion, common sense, and EQuitability, a vision he explores further in his forthcoming book, "Leading from the Whole."
Voir toutes les publications Creator of RoundMap® | CEO, CROSS-SILO.COM