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Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

Susty labs

Identify opportunities for implementing circular economy solutions, develop a new lens for business model innovation and gain new perspectives on value creation and capital.

Date

2–3 November 2020

Duration and format 

2 full days, delivered virtually via Zoom and Mural.

Fee

Discounts may be available for multiple delegates from the same organisation or participants from not-for-profits, developing countries, and self-funded individuals. In recognition of the virtual format, the usual Lab fee will be discounted by the direct cost of accommodation and subsistence. Please email for information.

Find out more

Download the Lab brochure, or email  if you have any questions regarding our two-day Labs.

  

The challenge/opportunity


The challenge facing organisations is how to envisage and design the right future business model that helps to make the transition to circularity. This will support companies to remain competitive and operate sustainably in an increasingly interconnected world. 

 

Business model innovation for a circular economy


Use cutting-edge business model innovation tools designed by the University of Cambridge to discover how to transform your business to deliver uncaptured and sustainable value throughout the lifecycle, and design value propositions for the stakeholders in your business networks.

  • Is your business getting the full benefit of the value you are creating for customers and other stakeholders?
  • Could your current business model be actively destroying value and ultimately affecting the organisation's ability to capture value in the long run?
  • How do you identify resource synergies that will enable circular business models?

Answers to these questions will be explored during the two-day short course, through the business model innovation tools, industry case studies and insights from leading research on the circular economy.

Previous Lab attendee, Simon Davis of NSF International considers how stakeholders in complex supply chains can create more value for their business, societies and the environment. Read his blog here.  

 

Benefits of attending


This workshop will stretch your thinking through discussion with leading academics and practitioners, as well as active participation with case studies. Through participation, you will:

  • develop a new lens for business model innovation
  • analyse and deliver sustainable value across a product lifecycle
  • gain new perspectives on value creation and capture
  • identify opportunities for implementing circular economy solutions
  • gain access to the CISL international network of sustainability leaders
  • share and learn from others about being a change agent.

Learn how to transform your business using business model innovation tools, download the flyer and apply for the two-day course.

 

Who should attend?


Those working in strategy, sustainability, innovation, R&D, sustainable design, new product development, business development, service innovation, start-up entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, change managers and stakeholder engagement would benefit from attending the Lab.

 

"A great two-day course that surpassed my expectations, using practical tools to challenge the way we think about our own business and challenge how bold we are being in our approach and role in tackling the sustainability issues in our own supply chains."

Simon Davis, Agriculture and Sustainability Development Manager, NSF International

 

Learn from industry experts and thought leaders


The deep dive into the business model innovation tools will be led by experts from the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) at the University of Cambridge.

Speakers

Speakers at this Lab include:

  • Ian Bamford, Commercial Director, Centre for Industrial Sustainability, University of Cambridge
  • Nick Brown, Head of Sustainability, Coca-Cola European Partners
  • Dr Mélanie Despeisse, Assistant Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
  • Professor Steve Evans, Director of Research in Industrial Sustainability, Institute for Manufacturing and Director of the Centre for Industrial Sustainability at the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge
  • Dorus Galama, Co-founder, Gerrard Street
  • Vigga Svensson, Co-founder, CONTINUED
  • Dr Alicia Valero Delgado, Head of the industrial ecology group at Instituto CIRCE, Universidad de Zaragoza
  • Ken Webster, Senior Lecturer, University of Exeter Centre for the Circular Economy
  • Dr Miying Yang, Lecturer in Engineering Management, University of Exeter

 

Participant-led case studies


Prior to the Lab you will be invited to submit a short case study based on your own organisation to be the focus of one of exercises undertaken during the Lab. A small number of these cases will be chosen, based on their learning value to the wider group. 

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Sustainability Leadership Labs


University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) Labs bring together professionals to test and challenge cutting-edge responses to global problems. Open to all our alumni and senior industry practitioners, these two-day sustainability workshops held four times per year, are an opportunity for professional development, co-creation and networking – all with real application to your company or organisational situation.

Read more about the Sustainability Leadership Labs, and details about fees and applications.

Please note this Lab is now full, and we are no longer accepting applications.

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Download the brochure

 

Sustainable Innovation Lab

"This Lab built well on the previous Lab that I completed, and has really given me much food for thought and ideas for action."

Head of Sustainability, Pret A Manger


Business Model Innovation Lab

"A great two-day course that surpassed my expectations, using practical tools to challenge the way we think about our own business and challenge how bold we are being in our approach and role in tackling the sustainability issues in our own supply chains."

Agriculture and Sustainability Development Manager, NSF International


Embedding Natural Capital Lab

"Very informative, stimulating and an excellent networking opportunity."

Principal Geoscientist & Operations Geologist, Energy Geoscience


Embedding Natural Capital Lab & Sustainable Innovation Lab

“The Sustainability Leadership Labs enabled me to gain a global perspective on material issues that are impacting businesses today. I left the Labs with practical tools and knowledge that could be used immediately when I returned to the office… Every lab is unique but also consistent in providing a learning experience with other practitioners that prepares you for the volatile and uncertain environment we all operate in.”

Manager, Responsible Business, Old Mutual Emerging Markets 


Sustainability Leadership, Sustainable Innovation, & Business Model Innovation Labs

"The Leadership Labs at Cambridge have been a key way for me to gain direct insights from a broad range of academic and business thought leaders, on how organisations need to adapt in order to respond to the challenges and opportunities that sustainability poses. They also provided a forum to gain wide input from a range of other organisations how my company could respond to the opportunities and challenges. These insights have been crucial to allow me to more confidently influence internally, build business case and drive meaningful  change… and these Labs have offered an effective and flexible way to build and maintain my knowledge."

Fabrics Sustainability, W.L.Gore & Associates