the oikos conference 2010

The 22nd oikos conference is dedicated to business model innovation for a sustainable future – with a special focus on both corporate intrapreneurship and social entrepreneurship. 

 

The conference has two main goals. First, it wants to raise awareness of the opportunities of innovative business models, which combine sustainability and financial goals at their core. Second, it wants participants to explore how the principles behind these business models can be applied in their professional life.

 

We want to challenge the common notion that sustainability equals unprofitability: Sustainable business models offer enormous opportunities for the future. For the conference, we will bring together innovatively thinking students and practitioners as well as academics from diverse backgrounds to collectively discuss and design such models in a professional though casual mutual learning environment.

About the conference

Ever since its first edition in 1988, the oikos conference has contributed significantly to the understanding and implementation of issues in the field of sustainability. While the first conference launched the “ÖBU”, the Swiss network for environmentally managed companies with currently over 400 members, other editions touched upon issues such as the future of money, sustainability & entrepreneurship and sustainable investment.

 

Business models innovation as  a key for sustainability?

Sustainability requires not only continuous improvement of what’s there – but also radically new solutions. It requires new business models. Still, these are difficult to develop – the legacy of technologies, mindsets, education and existing investments can be hard to overcome.

Often, developing business models starts with a new question – and even more often, these questions might be asked by people outside the mainstream. Understanding the questions and needs of people is important to connect the dots and to come up with something new.

 

Want to connect the dots?

Using a car now and then is really practical and helpful – but do I need to own it 365 days in the year, 24 hours?

Saving carbon emissions is much cheaper in India or Indonesia then in Germany or Switzerland, could I compensate some of my emissions by financing reductions there?

The poor pay much more for water and other basic services then the rich – how can my company serve them better?

Poor people lack access to education – but can profit enormously economically, when they get it. How can innovative education providers fill the gap, on a market basis?

Entrepreneurs with a mission need workplace and networks – should I provide them with one