9 Attributes of Sustainable Business Models:

A worthwhile article in assessing whether your business model is truly sustainable by testing it against 9 attributes which fundamentally underpin business advantage. The first 5 attributes apply to many business models independent of their environmental or societal impacts, but it is the addition of attributes 6-9 that forms the core of truly sustainable business models, as they are becoming increasingly important to remaining resilient and extending business advantage in the future. These are the 9 attributes of sustainable business models:

1. Scales effectively without increasing risks or diminishing returns

2. Increases differentiation and competitiveness

3. Reduces the potential for commoditization

4. Uses network effects to achieve growth and multiply the value

5. Harnesses business ecosystems for advantage

6. Remains durable against environmental and societal trends

7. Creates environmental and societal benefits material to key stakeholders

8. Increases returns to shareholders and E/S benefits to stakeholders

9. Animates purpose

Source: BCG