In 1994 (30 years ago as of the time of writing this) John Elkington coined the phrase “People Planet Profits” and it became known as the triple bottom line for business. Dutch Shell later used it as the title for the sustainability report and well, the rest was history.
Whilst this was philosophically a good initiative, when you look at it with a critical eye and especially one wide open to current affairs and recent history, you can see the role played by this phrase that became the war cry of eco warriors, climate change alarmists and people who identify as socialists alike. What a magnificent trifecta to achieve!
In reality the 3 P’s can be categorised as Lip Service, Agenda Driver, Actual Desired Outcome. Do not misunderstand me on that last one. Profits are super important, just not billions of dollars on the backs of everyday people who need what you sell to survive but honestly can’t afford it or they will be living on the streets; think supermarkets and pretty much any retailer of everyday necessities.
Over the years I have been criticised by my choice of title as the Hedonist Entrepreneur. I get that some people don’t get it; even after they read the tagline “The Art of Enjoying Business and Life”. Many had visions of debauched parties and excessive alcohol-imbibed behaviour, or just excess generally. That was their programming and should have been none of my business. Unfortunately at times I let it get to me and break me down. When I realised I was giving up my power and my opportunity to serve many others through sharing the Hedonist Business ethos and all that goes with it, it was time to bounce back.
A lot of people, really a lot of people, are stuck in life or job or career in some way. Home becomes an escape from professional life, or their career becomes an escape from their homelife. The thought of being able to have genuine deep rooted fun at work and personal pleasure from their chosen field is interpreted as idealistic by some, and idyllic by others.
Being a hedonist entrepreneur does not require you to start a business or even own a business. Throughout my career I have met employees with more entrepreneurial spirit, drive and passion than many business owners. They become the superstars of their departments, divisions or organisations. People look on in awe at what they do and wonder how they do it.
The ethos of a hedonist entrepreneur is the same as that for hedonism - just with the filter of business thrown in - simply the pursuit of pleasure. In a nutshell it is the belief that passion, pleasure, purpose, people, planet and profits can and do integrate, harmonise, and coalesce.
The ethos keeps the original 3 P’s, albeit with a clear focus and void of an ulterior agenda, and prefaces them with an additional 3 P’s - passion, pleasure and purpose. This addition provides a more holistic view of what drives viability, sustainability of business and success in all the business’s endeavours..
As a proponent of an unconventional yet remarkably effective approach to business optimisation, embodied in the Total QX framework, I introduced this nuanced approach of the 6 P’s. It is not simply a checklist. It’s a dynamic, interconnected ladder to success, reflective of a deeper understanding of both intrinsic and extrinsic human motivation and the essence of impactful business.
Passion stands at the foundation of the ladder. It is the raw, unfiltered drive that fuels innovation and resilience. In business, passion translates to an unwavering commitment to excellence and a deep-seated belief in one's mission. It's the spark that ignites the desire to pursue goals that are both ambitious and deeply fulfilling.
Pleasure is about finding joy in the journey and seeing the traditional destination as merely a milestone. It's about cultivating a work environment and a business model that encourages enjoyment and fulfilment. Pleasure in the process breeds creativity, promotes well-being, and enhances productivity, making it an essential rung on the ladder to success.
Purpose gives direction. It answers the "why" behind what we do and provides fuel for the more important element “how”. Purpose aligns our actions with our core values and the greater good. A purpose-driven approach ensures that our business strategies lead to financial success and contribute to meaningful change.
Moving up the ladder, and in contrast to the 3 P’s, people are truly and honestly represented, and not some pawn on the board of the socialist chess game. People are the lifeblood of every business. From employees to customers, fostering positive relationships is key to building a strong, sustainable brand. Investing in people means prioritising their well-being, recognising their contributions, and creating an empowering culture.
Our commitment to the planet requires a departure from mainstream, often superficial environmental efforts which in reality simply fuel division and create profits in the wrong direction. It calls for pragmatic, impactful actions that genuinely contribute to the health of the planet and if they cannot reverse the harm done by past generations then at least cause no additional harm. Frankly the planet would be just fine if people with agendas would get out of the way and simply go away.
At the pinnacle of the ladder, profits represent the tangible result of creating value in ways that integrate the previous elements. They are a measure of our ability to create value in a way that is financially viable, ethically sound, socially responsible and embrace the unique talents and intrinsic drivers of the people who work with and for us. Profits, in this context, are not the sole aim. They are the natural outcome of a holistic approach to business.
The Hedonist Entrepreneurs’ Ladder to Success is a model that underscores the belief in passion, pleasure, and purpose, coexisting in harmony with a genuine dedication to people, planet, and profits. This belief reflects the multifaceted nature of success and can drive extraordinary achievements. This approach does not espouse the idea of climbing a ladder of success in isolation. It is a commitment to elevating those around us and making a lasting impact for the good of all.
In essence, this ladder is a testament to the power of integrating our human values with our business ambitions. It challenges the conventional paradigms of success and calls for a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to business.
No debauchery or excess required!
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