Özlem and Onur attended the FBN Impact Leaders Retreat in Lausanne, Switzerland, on September 30th – October 1st.
It was a great opportunity to tap into the power of business families and family offices, shifting the global economic paradigm toward a more social and environmental impact focus.
Here is a reflection of the flow and highlights of the first ever Impact Leaders Retreat of FBN:
**Day 1 - September 30th, Monday**
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#### Opening Session: The Power of Unity in Change
**Time:** 09:30 - 10:00
**Speaker:** Fred Tsao
Fred Tsao opened the retreat with a call for unity, underscoring that care for each other must transcend fear. Quoting Einstein, he reminded us that solutions require a new level of consciousness, one that shifts from an individualistic “I” to a collective “we.” His inspiring reflections included updates on collaborations with the UN to develop educational systems and wellbeing economies, alongside partnerships with the Ray Dalio Foundation for ocean conservation.
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#### Session: Identifying the “I” in Impact
**Time:** 10:00 - 11:00
**Speakers:** Onur Eren & Sandra Bluhdorn
This session was an invitation to connect with our personal purpose. Sandra’s “90th Birthday Meditation” encouraged us to visualize the legacy we hope to leave behind, reflecting on the gratitude we might receive for empowering others. This was followed by a heartfelt sharing exercise where participants offered insights on their life’s purpose, deepening our collective commitment to impact.
**Key Takeaways:**
- Purpose is often rooted in how we affect others.
- Shared purpose amplifies individual impact, reinforcing the interconnectedness of “I” and “we.”
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#### Coffee Break
**Time:** 11:00 - 11:30
The coffee break was a time for informal discussion, with a noticeable focus on the spiritual dimensions emerging in impact work.
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#### Session: The Four Drivers of Change – When Does Change Become Systemic?
**Time:** 11:30 - 13:00
**Facilitators:** Andrew, Jenaan, Paul
**Impact Definition and Goals for FBN:**
- **Definition:** Positive changes in economic, social, and environmental spheres directly or indirectly attributed to business families.
- **Goal:** Create a positive legacy across generations through responsible transformation, impact investing, and advocacy.
**Discussion Highlights:**
- **Case Study:** Builders Vision, an impact-focused family office led by Lukas Walton, illustrating strategic alignment with systemic change.
- **Four Drivers of Change:** Economic, social, career, and political capital, each offering unique pathways to address complex global challenges.
- **Inspirational Examples:** Riah Forbes discussed rural and urban disparities in employment, while Guus Van Puijenbroek shared insights on textile waste advocacy, showing how families can influence systemic shifts.
**Audience Q&A:**
Questions ranged from renouncing misaligned business models to the readiness for systemic shifts in line with our Theory of Change.
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#### Lunch Break
**Time:** 13:00 - 14:00
Lunch provided an opportunity for rich dialogue, with participants sharing perspectives and personal reflections.
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#### Workshop: Open Spaces as a Driver of Change in Family Business
**Time:** 14:20 - 15:30
The Open Spaces session emphasized collaboration across generations and families, inviting members to join open discussions on business, investment, philanthropy, and advocacy. This open format created a nurturing space for honest conversations and cross-generational exchange, emphasizing that together, families can be 70% of the solution.
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#### Workshop: Practicing Systemic Thinking
**Time:** 16:00 - 17:30
**Facilitator:** Falko
This workshop explored the inherent tension between complex realities and the desire for simplicity. Falko encouraged participants to think systemically and introduced the concept of “Trim Tabs” — small, high-leverage actions that can drive meaningful change.
**Action Points:**
- Map stakeholders to clarify influence dynamics.
- Engage fence sitters only after unifying allies.
- Shift portfolio perspectives from single assets to comprehensive value creation across portfolios, integrating foundations, governments, and community stakeholders.
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These sessions provided a tapestry of insights, tools, and heartfelt discussions, setting a powerful foundation for our ongoing journey in impact leadership.
Here's a structured summary of the notes for **Day 2** of the FBN Impact Leaders Retreat:
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**Day 2 - October 1st, Tuesday**
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#### Session: The Circular Economy – Moving from Idea to Action
**Time:** 09:05 - 09:45
**Speaker:** Julia Binder
Julia Binder opened with a reminder of our planetary boundaries, posing a question that resonated: *How can we increase income while reducing our environmental footprint?* This session delved into the essence of the circular economy and the critical shift toward sustainable business models.
**Key Insights:**
- **Growth Models:**
- Degrowth is a hard sell, but decoupling via green growth and circular economies presents a compelling alternative.
- **Principles of Circular Economy:**
1. **Close the Loop:** Eliminate waste and pollution.
2. **Circulate Products:** Maximize material usage at its highest value.
3. **Regenerative Design:** Explore mono-materials for easier recycling.
**Challenges Identified:**
- Value chain opacity and linear product design are among the barriers to "closing the loop."
- A striking fact: Only 7.2% of materials were recycled in 2023, highlighting an urgent need for structural change.
**Circular Business Model Archetypes:**
- **Optimize Resource Use:** Bio-based materials, green operations.
- **Capitalize Regeneration:** Premium on regenerative models.
- **Monetize Extended Product Life:** Repair, refurbish, reuse.
- **Valorize Waste:** Create secondary markets and resource recovery pathways.
**Framework for Transformation:**
Julia introduced a three-horizon model:
1. Business as usual.
2. Business model revolution.
3. Circular and regenerative future.
The model provided a roadmap for evolving business practices towards circularity and sustainability.
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#### Session: Rethinking Business for Sustainable & Shared Prosperity
**Time:** 09:45 - 10:30
**Speaker:** Andre Hoffman
Andre Hoffman’s message was clear: businesses exist to solve problems, not merely to profit. He called on attendees to explore the roots of happiness and well-being, questioning the material focus that often overshadows purpose.
**Core Themes:**
- Happiness comes from a sense of belonging and purpose rather than material possessions.
- Ownership is both a privilege and a responsibility; creating frameworks that foster sustainable practices is a duty.
**Key Takeaway:**
- **Quote by Frederick Hoffman:** *“How do we outperform our index of privileges?”* This thought-provoking question underscored the need for humility and courage to drive transformation within family businesses.
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#### Session: FBN Chapters Championing Impact
**Time:** 11:00 - 11:45
**Speakers:** Giovanni Gregori & Katina Da Ros
Giovanni and Katina showcased innovative impact initiatives led by FBN chapters, emphasizing how collective efforts can inspire broader change.
**Initiatives Highlighted:**
- **Legacy Book Projects:** Documenting chapter members’ contributions as an inspiring resource for future generations.
- **Legacy Tours:** Site visits to family-led projects with significant social impact, sharing best practices and learnings across the FBN community.
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#### Workshop: From Theory to Practice, Learning to Action
**Time:** 11:45 - 12:45
**Facilitators:** Andrew & Jenaan
This interactive workshop focused on defining the role of an Impact Leader within FBN, providing a practical roadmap for turning aspirations into action.
**Responsibilities of an Impact Leader:**
1. Shape and strengthen the Chapter’s Impact Strategy.
2. Engage actively in building the Chapter’s impact community.
3. Represent the Chapter at FBN Impact gatherings.
4. Lead specific impact initiatives within the Chapter.
5. Collaborate with FBN-i on joint impact projects.
This session underscored the importance of community-building, strategic action, and collaboration in creating enduring change.
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These sessions on Day 2 deepened our understanding of sustainable transformation, emphasizing the synergy between individual purpose, collective impact, and systemic change. Together, they offered a pathway for each attendee to harness their unique role in driving sustainable prosperity within FBN and beyond.