On Thursday night last week I went to the launch event for The B Team Challenge at the BizDojo, Auckland.

The B Team is a group of global business leaders, headed by Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz, who have committed themselves to a mission: ” The B Team’s mission is to deliver a ‘Plan B’ that puts people and planet alongside profit”.  The 14 business leaders (click here to see their profiles) taking part in this challenge, realize that in order to create a sustainable future for business, there has to be a sustainable future for our planet and the people living on it.

I believe that business taking a leadership roll in creating sustainable practices is certainly a huge step in the right direction. When larger corporations or even small businesses make sustainability education and practice a priority and part of the workplace culture, this positive example can trickle down into everyday lives of the employees, their families, and the ultimate goal of creating positive change in our global society.

The B Team will address three initial Challenges of “The Future of Leadership”, “The Future Bottom Line” and “The Future of Incentives”, but they also realize that they might not have all the answers and are calling on the global community to add their input and ideas to this project: ” The B Leaders will focus on execution and action, catalysing and amplifying others’ efforts by undertaking specific global Challenges where their collective voice can make a difference”.  This global community includes a panel of advisors and partners, but it can also include you. After the initial launch, the B Leaders left 3 questions to start discussion amongst the individuals watching the live broadcast at kick-off events around the world.

1. How might The B Team help amplify or catalyse what you are already doing in your organization as part of Plan B for Business?
2. What are the most transformative, scalable and systematic solutions that can advance the three Challenges we have announced?
3. As part of a Plan B for Business, we need to reflect on what the fundamental role of business is for people and the planet. If you could add one statement to a new “Charter” that redefines the purpose of business, what would it say?

If you have something to say concerning any of these 3 questions, or want to follow the developments of this project you can follow the Twitter feed @thebteamhq, #PlanB