Values-driven Business

Economic tendencies towards decentralization

Technological: networked info economy

distributed generation

miniaturization

Ecological: economic biomimicry / ecosystem model of development / peak oil / distribution costs

Social: creativity base: human-scale

Companies that provide products or services that improve the quality of life in their communities

Companies that operate more responsibly

Companies that invests their profits in

social or environmental causes

Values-Driven Business

employees

suppliers

customers

community

company

5 Dimensions of Values-Driven Business

Community / Small Business

• The realm of cutting-edge alternatives in almost every sector

• Need for new & stronger networks• Local market power based on solid knowledge• Import substitution • Regenerative finance• Necessity of empowering all sections of the

community• Community development Plans & Indicators

  

                                                                                                                               

Localization

• LOIS vs. TINA

• Local First not “buy local”

• Multipliers

• Employment

• Stability / security – Peak Oil / Corporate Mobility

• Quality of Life

• Efficiency

What BALLE Networks Do

Members of Local BALLE Networks have a direct stake in the future of their communities and bioregions and include local business owners, non-profit leaders, government representatives, and engaged citizens.

Members of Local Networks work together to:

• Support the growth and development of community-based business

• Encourage local purchasing by consumers and businesses

• Create opportunities for business leaders to network and share best practices

• Advocate public policies that strengthen independent local businesses and farms, promote economic equity, and protect the environment

In order to support our Local Networks, BALLE:

• Provides Local Networks with tools, business models and other resources

• Maintains an online marketplace of independent, community-based businesses

• Links Local Living Economies to share best practices • Promotes Local Living Economies through media, public

forums, and partnerships• Develops pilot initiatives to strengthen Local Living

Economies

Principles of Local Living Economies

• Living economy communities produce and exchange locally as many products needed by their citizens as they reasonably can, while reaching out to other communities to trade in those products they cannot reasonably produce at home. These communities value their unique character and encourage cultural exchange and cooperation.

• Living economy public policies support decentralized ownership of businesses and farms, fair wages, taxes, and budget allocations, trade policies benefiting local economies, and stewardship of the natural environment.

• Living economy consumers appreciate the benefits of buying from living economy businesses and, if necessary, are willing to pay a price premium to secure those personal and community benefits.

LLE Principles (con’t)

• Living economy investors value businesses that are community stewards and as such accept a 'living return' on their financial investments rather than a maximum return, recognizing the value derived from enjoying a healthy and vibrant community and sustainable global economy.

• Living economy media provide sources of news independent of corporate control, so that citizens can make informed decisions in the best interests of their communities and natural environment.

• Living economy businesses are primarily independent and locally owned, and value the needs and interests of all stakeholders, while building long-term profitability.

LLE Businesses:

• Source products from businesses with similar values, with a preference for local procurement

•  Provide employees a healthy workplace with meaningful living wage jobs

•  Offer customers personal service and useful safe, quality products

•  Work with suppliers to establish a fair exchange •  Cooperate with other businesses in ways that balance their

self-interest with their obligation to the community and future generations

•  Use their business practices to support an inclusive and healthy community, and to protect our natural environment

•  Yield a 'living return' to owners and investors

Local First Campaigns

• Money spent local, stays local

• Local owners are local contributors

• Local owners offer stable employment

• Lower environmental impact

• Tax revenues go further

• Maintain uniqueness

The Centrality of the Landscape

“The industrial age replaced the natural processes of the landscape with the global machine…while regenerative design seeks now to replace the machine with landscape.”

…John Tillman Lyle

Energy & Spatial Organization

• Energy & the Landscape

Eco-infrastructure: going with nature

• The Eco-system Model: eco-infill

• Integrating the Divided Economy

Every place a locus of eco-production

Buildings as producers not just

consumers of energy