Kia ora! Welcome to the information about this book of essays which is available now. While written for a variety of reasons and each can sit on their own, there is also a unity across them. Together they lay the foundations for what business might look like if we reimagine it for the future.

Below there is a very short video about the book and under that are some endorsements from advance readers. If any of you send any thoughts will add them as well. You can access the book in three ways:

Printed book order here

Download book here

Audiobook here

Would you be willing to join me in spreading the word about this resource by copy and pasting this page link and sharing a thought about it for your networks? They will likely thank you! A message could just say this and if you tag me I will like and comment!

Check out this free resource – a book of essays about the future of business: https://theseeds.nz/laying-foundations-for-reimagining-business-essays/

Thanks for stopping by – and while you are here why not sign up for the newsletter (see to the right of this) so you can find out about future updates and another book that will come out in 2022 called “Reimagining Business: The Impact Paradigm“.

Ngā mihi nui,
Steven Moe
steven@theseeds.nz

Endorsements

“Steven reimagines better businesses, with keen insights, practical ideas and deep humanity.” Shamubeel Eaqub, Sense Partners

“Aotearoa has a profound opportunity to redefine business leadership that addresses economic, social and environmental wellbeing – Steven’s work is an invitation to all of us to reimagine our future.”
Rosalie Nelson, Chief Executive, Edmund Hillary Fellowship

“Steven Moe has long been a voice for change and in this series of essays he gives some of his thinking about the changes that can make our society more equitable and sustainable now and into the future.”
Ben Kepes, Board Director and Chair of Ākina Foundation

“New Zealand needs thinkers like Steven who sows the seed of discontent with the status quo and challenges us to re-imagine how business is conceptualised in a world that is significantly transformed.”
Sussie Morrish, Ph.D, Professor of Marketing, Department of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, UC Business School, University of Canterbury

“Using Law, Business and Philosophy Steven invites the age-old discussion of, how enterprises can be reimagined, by accepting, a foundational relationship between Profit and Purpose.”
Edmond Carrucan

“Given the crises we face, we have no option but to rethink, restructure and renovate most of our operating systems which will require significant culture change and adaptation across our beautiful planet; reimagining our business systems is a fundamental step in initiating that change, and then prototyping here in Aotearoa, which is not only possible, but necessary.”
Jan Hania, Environment Director, Next Foundation

“Say ‘Bye!’ to the tyranny of the status quo! In this deft riposte to Business as Usual, Steven Moe offers holistic approaches and models that redefine success for the continuity of human enterprise.”
Kris Adidarma, Community Resilience Provocateur

“Before building a house, the foundation must be laid. Steven Moe illustrates how Aotearoa New Zealand could lay the foundation to become a global leader in for-purpose, for-profit organizations through a series of thoughtful essays that cover familiar social enterprise topics such as impact investing, board governance, and legal structures, as well topics unique to New Zealand, such as kaitiakitanga.”
Zach Warder-Gabaldon, Silicon Valley Entrepreneur

“A thoughtful collection of the many obstacles and opportunities that lie ahead. Perfect for those exploring how business could contribute differently to our collective future.”
Josie Fitzhugh

“I love it how Steven blends the mind of the professional with the heart of social and charitable entrepreneur. Some great provocations in here to reimagine a better future!”
Craig Fisher, Consultant at RSM

“This collection provides clarity on the topics that usually fall into the spaces in-between on standard corporate, organisation, or governance narrative. It provides space, and a place, to navigate well in to a world where impact and profit are excitedly inextricably linked.”
Sasha Lockley

“The world of business is at a tipping point where stakeholder primacy is take over over from Shareholder primacy. To be purpose lead companies will need to deliver both a commercial return along with an impact return. Steven’s book explains these important changes to come and more.”
Dean Spicer, Head of Sustainable Finance NZ, ANZ

“Steven Moe makes an earnest and well-supported call for Aotearoa New Zealand to be an early driver of change in looking at the larger impact beyond the bottom line. He challenges us to embrace a holistic view encompassing creativity, culture, and effectiveness as we build businesses for the future.”
Kara Kennedy, PhD, Writer and Educator”

“I have no hesitation in recommending Steven’s wonderful collection of essays. Together they confirm with compassion and clarity, how business in Aotearoa New Zealand can be can be values-led and reflect our rich cultural heritage.”
Dr Wendy Hoddinott, GATHER LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE LTD

“Steven hits the nail on the head when it comes to reimagining business—putting purpose before profit is paramount to our societal future, particularly at a time of a global pandemic. Now, more than ever, we must bring social/environmental issues to the forefront of our thinking. Steven’s essays emphasize the need for a new business model, both for us now and for future generations. No longer should shareholder profitability be acceptable as the only driving force behind businesses.”
Victoria Hoete-Dodd

“Steven Moe’s collection of essays provides important and thought-provoking ideas regarding the creation and use of capital by impact-driven entrepreneurs and investors to maximise value to our society while maintaining a financially healthy organisation. Importantly, it also explains the unique options available in New Zealand through the concepts of Te Ao Maori (the Maori worldview), empowering entrepreneurs to be creative in their choice of structure within the growing fourth sector movement.”
Guye Henderson, Documentary film maker

“Through a well-balanced mix of theories, real-life examples and practical recommendations, Steven Moe and his co-writers show us how we can reconcile business as we know it with both society and the planet.”
Larry Vetea Tchiou

“Through thoughtful expression and with the wisdom of experience, Steven shines a light on a path of increasing interest to many entrepreneurs. These sucinct and well-researched essays hold the key to the transformation of business as we know it, to become a force for regeneration of our societies, economies, and natural environment. A healing tonic for anyone who has become disillusioned with single-minded pursuit of profit at all costs.”
Alina Siegfried

“It is my belief that NZs future depends on us exemplifying a new style of leadership. We are on the first rung and business must recognise the opportunities in the new world opening up.
In this new paradigm we must replace unethical persuasive sales tactics with products, services and systems that address the real needs of real people. Current business structures force binary choices, making headway in this new environment more difficult than it should be. Well done Steven. Based on what I have read I look forward to more.”
Dorenda Britten

“Steven Moe is a collaborator and integrator who authentically walks the talk! His writings naturally synthesise the disparate and discrete into simple calls for action that none of us can easily ignore – what a gift.”
Tina Jennen

“Steven’s essays provide helpful direction for moving towards a systemic change in the ways business is done for maximum impact, built on Maoritanga (Maori culture, practices, belief and way of life) and innovative business approaches.”
Ani Kartikasari, PhD
Director of Yunus Social Business Centre, Lincoln University

“Steven delivers unconventional solutions at the intersection of business and doing good. His writing conveys a vision for a better NZ and it gets me excited for what the future holds.”
Kane Stewart

“In the second half of the 20th century, economic growth lifted living standards across the industrialised nations of the world. In the first half of the 21st century, we are coming to terms with the economic, social and environmental impact of a continued focus on economic growth at all costs. There are many voices calling for structural change to address the issues, yet far fewer detailing what we might do to actually implement that change now. In these essays, Steven Moe looks at practical steps we could take today via policy, legislation, legal frameworks, and organisational structure to enable organisations that balance people, planet and profit to thrive.”
Tim Bird

“My view is that this is an incredibly important and exciting conversation to be having, and its fundamentally about purpose. I agree with the thesis that most businesses are set up primarily to maximise financial returns for shareholders and that this is doing immense damage to communities, to people, and the planet because other imperatives, other than the profit motive, are not front and centre of the thinking of those in leadership of business organisations. A paradigm shift is definitely required. Such a paradigm shift can ensure that the purpose of business includes a higher purpose that can take into account the needs of communities and people, and contribute to building a world that is aligned with the Kingdom of God. This book has a strong legal focus which constantly brings to the centre the legal structures that need to be in place to enable this paradigm shift to occur. I think there is also a major role for the accounting profession in this, in terms of helping design reporting standards that include factors other than the focus on the bottom line. Having a clear purpose is an important starting point, but how the organisation measures performance and rewards effectiveness in terms of its purpose statement is also a much needed line of inquiry. I celebrate this book and would love to be part of furthering this conversation.”

The Very Rev’d Lawrence Kimberley, Dean of Christchurch

Front and back cover: