The Next Economy MBA: Redesigning Business for the Benefit of All Life

This radical and rigorous rethinking of the traditional MBA program combines solid business principles with a commitment to environmental and social justice.

Many current and aspiring entrepreneurs are looking for a solid business education that also deeply aligns with their progressive values. Based on a course field-tested with over 500 students, this book fills that gap. It covers traditional topics such as business strategy and structure, finance, marketing, recruiting, and branding from a socially just and environmentally regenerative perspective. And it also touches on topics such as strategies to reverse climate change, nonviolent communication, self-managing organizations, locally self-reliant economies, racial justice, and more.

Traditional MBA programs are based on outdated principles that were developed during the Industrial Revolution--and they can be hugely expensive. Sustainable MBA programs, while laudable, are too incremental to make a sufficient impact. The Next Economy MBA is for entrepreneurs seeking to make business an active force for good. It draws on the authors’ experience of working with over 300 social enterprises, from small organizations like Winona’s Hemp and Heritage Farm to household names like Ben & Jerry’s and Patagonia.

Our current economy, what the authors call the ＂Business as Usual Economy,＂ has created a massive wealth gap, a climate crisis, racial division, and needless housing, food, and healthcare shortages. This book shows how businesses can pave the way to a Next Economy that meets the basic needs of all people and restores and protects the planetary ecosystem.

LIFT Economy is an impact consulting firm whose mission is to create, model, and share a racially just, regenerative, and locally self-reliant economy that works for the benefit of all life.
Erin Axelrod is a Partner at LIFT specializing in accelerating the spread of climate-benefitting and land-based businesses in the Next Economy.
Kevin Bayuk is a LIFT consultant who merges his experience in business with his experience in permaculture to help businesses care for people while enhancing the earth.
Shawn Berry is a LIFT consultant who combines his hands-on experience as an entrepreneur with community organizing and systems theory.
Ryan Honeyman is a Partner / Worker-Owner at LIFT Economy, the author of the first edition of The B Corp Handbook and coauthor of the second edition.
Phoenix Soleil is a teacher of Nonviolent Communication and mindfulness.