Of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), number 17, titled Partnerships for the Goals, reads like this: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. I’m in two minds why it sits in last place, because really, without partnerships, we limit our ability to succeed at the other 16 goals. Then again, maybe you need to read through all of the SDGs to arrive at the conclusion that we as individuals, businesses and communities cannot go it alone.

At Barefoot Citizens Consulting, we have a saying - ‘Be the butterfly’. What it means is that anyone can decide to make a difference, at any time, in any business. The more butterflies there are, the stronger the momentum for change and the bigger the impact. Small changes, ideas around the water cooler, and creating new ways to do things, can make a big difference over time.

Your company Vision, with a capital ‘V’, can truly be the rallying cry for your staff and your stakeholders. Your Vision can win over the hearts and minds of your customers too. Who doesn’t love a big, bold vision?

From the beginning of time a person’s word was their bond. To be true to your word meant you could be trusted. We were measured by our word. It directly influenced our standing in society. While we’re a long way from pistols at dawn these days, there’s still a societal understanding of a promise in a handshake. Binding deals are still struck on the back of a napkin.