What is a Regenerative Business...

KathrynA
Jun 13
3 min read

... and why it could be the future of your business

In the business world, "sustainability" used to be the gold standard: reduce waste, cut emissions, minimise harm. But increasingly we're hearing that this isn’t enough anymore.

Today, we’re navigating a world of rapid change - climate disruption, social inequities, geopolitical chaos, monumental technological leaps, and economic uncertainty. Businesses are having to respond at an equally fast rate without always clear direction. Research is showing us that the businesses that will thrive in this disrupted environment are the ones that adapt to go beyond sustainability and focus on being regenerative.

So, what is a regenerative business?

In a nutshell, a regenerative business gives more than it takes. It focuses on the opportunity rather than risk avoidance, it looks to restore ecosystems, uplift communities, and focuses on purpose to build long-term resilience from the inside out. It’s a model that challenges the status quo and asks deeper questions, such as:

How are we contributing to the health of people and the planet?
How are we having an impact, good and bad?
What kind of legacy are we leaving behind?
Can our business be a force for good, as well as efficient and profitable?
Do we stand behind our purpose and vision and how do we demonstrate this?

This isn’t just for large corporations or startups. All businesses, especially agile small ones are perfectly positioned to lead the change.

What makes regenerative businesses different?

Unlike traditional or even sustainability-focused businesses, regenerative businesses have the following characteristics they:

Operate from a clear purpose - their reason for being, not just a bottom line- shareholder approach
Prioritise relationships with all of their stakeholders - clients, employees, suppliers, the environment, shareholders and communities - and consider the impact of their decisions on these groups.
Design for systems health - not just the immediate impact, they think about the ripple effects of their decision
Focus on long-term outcomes, not short-term wins
Continuously improve, they openly engage with stakeholders to receive feedback, learning from what they hear and adapting as needed

Regenerative businesses are more resilient

Resilience is baked into the regenerative model, enabling businesses to navigate the turbulent global economies. Their focus on purpose guides them when the markets shift and provides direction, like a rudder of a ship. Their attention to strong stakeholder relationships create trust, loyalty and provides insights into issues on the horizon, giving them insight into new opportunities and the need to adapt. Their 'world view' thinking helps them anticipate risk before it's an issue, allowing them to prepare rather than react. Finally, their flexibility and robust feedback loops help regenerative businesses thrive on real-time information and narratives, providing direction and validating their decision-making approach and stakeholder needs. Because of this,

regenerative businesses are more trusted, future-fit, and impactful. And in a world where change is constant, that’s a big advantage.

Can smaller businesses be regenerative?

Absolutely.

Small businesses have an edge - they're typically closer to their community, more agile, and often more values-driven. Change can happen quickly, meaningful relationships built, and regenerative structures constructed, modelling practices that have a positive ripple effect.

Regardless of size, regenerative business models are possible - you just need the desire, drive and support to step forward.

How Realise Change can support you

At Realise Change, we help future-focused leaders align purpose with operations and take practical steps toward building regenerative businesses. So whether you’re looking at B Corp certification, wanting to improve your impact or overwhelmed knowing where to start, we're here to help.

Ready to explore what a regenerative business looks like for you?

Get in Touch