The ISIS Agreement: How Sustainability Can Improve Organizational Performance and Transform the World [Hardcover]

Alan AtKisson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1844074153 | ISBN-13: 978-1844074150 | Publication Date: August 21, 2008

This is the must-have book for leaders in business, organizations and government who are scrambling to get a grip on sustainability while improving performance in the era of climate change. Renowned business and sustainability consultant Alan AtKisson distils decades of wisdom and experience into this highly readable and motivational work. Covering theory and practice, obstacles and opportunities, case studies and poignant personal anecdotes, The ISIS Agreement draws the reader ever deeper into a global 'conspiracy of hope.' The core of the book is AtKisson's potent Accelerator, adopted for use in dozens of countries by business, governments, and organizations such as UNEP. A comprehensive toolkit that helps integrate sustainability into organizations, initiatives and plans, it can be used by any group, organization, business, community or region, in virtually any context. Central to the Accelerator is the potent ISIS (Indicators, Systems, Innovation, Strategy) method that teaches leaders how to create a whole-systems view of their organization, to identify and understand blockages and opportunities, and to leverage the potential for innovative change that adds value and accelerates progress towards sustainability.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Clearly another winner!' Sustainability Indicators 'AtKisson's Accelerator tools and ISIS Method are powerful - I've seen them in action. This book is the essential guide, while also being an inspiring and informative read for just about anybody.' Hunter Lovins, President and founder of the Natural Capitalism Solutions 'AtKisson at his best.' Herman Mulder, independent adviser, former Senior Executive Vice President of ABN AMRO 'A must-read book.' Manuel Baigorri, Director, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Levi Strauss Europe, Middle East and Africa 'A powerful tonic for hope.' Darcy Hitchcock, co-author of The Business Guide to Sustainability 'The ISIS Agreement is awesome ... and gives those of us who've stepped up to the plate and been doing this work for years some reference points and the feeling that we are actually doing something.' Nancy Lee Bentley, Wholistic Health Expert & Author of Truly Cultured www.TrulyCultured.com 'The ideal entry point for leaders and innovators in all organizations for understanding and instituting change towards sustainability ... essential, transformative reading for leaders in business, organizations, and government, and professionals of all description in all sectors who are working on whole systems change in pursuit of strategies for innovation, sustainability, and profitability, as well as students in business and management.' Sustainable Village

About the Author

Alan AtKisson is President and CEO of The AtKisson Group, an international sustainability consultancy to business and government (see www.AtKisson.com). He is also the author of the best selling Believing Cassandra (Chelsea Green, 1999) and co-author of The Natural Advantage of Nations (Earthscan, 2006).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (August 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844074153
• ISBN-13: 978-1844074150
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alan AtKisson is a true citizen of the world, whose work has led him to crisscross the globe. He has been the executive editor of In Context magazine, senior fellow with the policy institute Redefining Progress, and co-founder and chair of Sustainable Seattle, a collaborative project to design model-city plans for America's hippest town. He is presently president of AtKisson & Associates, a consulting firm focused on sustainable development and innovation. He lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sustainability Made Accessible and Inspiring, April 14, 2009

By 

David E. Wortman (Colorado, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The ISIS Agreement: How Sustainability Can Improve Organizational Performance and Transform the World (Hardcover)

This book is a must read for anyone interested in creating change for sustainability, whether you're a consultant practitioner, organization or company sustainability coordinator, or an individual wanting to help champion sustainability. Filled with case studies, reflections, and uplifting stories, Alan shares valuable tools that can help make sustainability accessible, fun, and rewarding to everyone. Most of all, it provides proven techniques for making change happen. Well done.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Methodology for moving toward Sustainability, November 2, 2008

By 

Sandy Bradley (Nahcotta, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The ISIS Agreement: How Sustainability Can Improve Organizational Performance and Transform the World (Hardcover)

Even though we all know the world should be doing things differently, making systemic changes is complicated and uncharted work. AtKisson has developed a set of methodologies for assessing systems (whether businesses, villages, countries, or an army base!)and creating more efficient and profitable ones to suit the your specific organizational needs. With these game-like activities, all aspects of making things work can be evaluated and redesigned for a sustainable world, AND (this is the thrilling bonus) for greater profits and satisfaction on all fronts!

Especially innovative is his framework for getting all the stakeholders on the same page at the same time, addressing the needs in four overlapping arenas: Nature, Economy, Society and the Well-being of individuals. It makes collaboration possible among former adversaries by providing a structure for discussion and negotiation. The results have been impressive!

The Amoeba aspect of the tool kit illuminates the impacts of diverse personalities on the task of collaboration. He uses it to clarify the interpersonal dynamics of getting the job done, which is a breakthrough in its own right.

Though the methods are solidly academic, his personal narratives flesh out the systems, making them even more tempting and accessible to analyst and lay reader alike. Full disclosure: I worked briefly for AtKisson, Inc., in 1999. It was an excellent experience.