Green business is the fastest growing sector of the economy.
Ecological goods and services are fast moving from the confines of niche markets to being cost effective, future-proof solutions suited to the needs of a changing society.
Transition is creating the culture for this shift and developing business models better suited to the needs of resilient communities and a healthy economy.
The current economic turbulence is sifting out the businesses that have had their heads in the sand with regards to their exposure to oil price, their contribution to climate change, and their dependence on a debt-based economy. While many are holding tight and waiting for the recession to pass, those involved in Transition are preparing for an economic system that will most likely be quite different to that of the past 30 years.
We are developing businesses that can positively respond to the shocks that will accompany peak oil, climate change and ongoing insecurity in the global economy.
But we need help. We need the ideas, expertise and investment from local businesses people and we need the greater participation of local businesses.
Transition Town Totnes works closely with the Totnes Development Trust and with the endorsement of the Totnes Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, this is one area of our work that definitely extends beyond the geographical limits of Totnes and District. We seek to work with neighbouring Transition Initiatives and are particularly keen to build a South-West regional network. Early discussions with Francis Clark and South-West Angels Investment Network have proven the potential and will for this.
Ways you can be involved:
Invest - as we develop more community businesses and enterprises, we create more investment opportunities, many with potential for very favorable rates of return.
Bring your expertise - as many projects develop into businesses, they need help developing business plans and accessing finance.
Support us - expand your market - if your business is about servicing the new green economy, supporting TTT is an effective way to expand and access your market. Our outreach work is the hardest bit for us to fund yet it is this work that is demonstrably developing the culture and market for green products and services. We are a local organisation with good will across the South Hams, Teignbridge and Torbay and a significant national and international audience. We are limited in what we can offer in conventional sponsorship arrangements but are always open for discussion.
Bring your business idea - Do you need help getting ready for the Dragons' Den? Does your product or business idea fit the Transition criteria? Can we help find investment for it via the Green Angels?
Transition your business - take Transition into your workplace
- Why Transition workshop - a great little workshop to get people across your workplace engaged and excited about Transition and its opportunities. Inspiring, informative and motivating, this workshop explores the facts and methodology behind Transition and does so in a way that makes them real and relevant to you and your organisation.
- Transition Training and Consultancy - the business consultancy arm of the Transition Network offers a range of services that help businesses and organisations achieve triple bottom line (financial, social/ethical and environmental) success.
Meet, chat, explore ideas - check our Business and Livelihoods Group page for the date of our next meeting or to contact us directly.
"The world is becoming turbulent faster than organizations are becoming resilient"
Gary Hammel, Harvard Business Review