Book Review- Net Positive by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston

“Net Positive—How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take” is the practical guide to corporate dogma from former Unilever CEO Paul Polman and sustainable business guru Andrew Winston. The book argues that companies must become “net positive” to thrive today and to prosper tomorrow. “Net Positive” sets out the principles and practices that deliver the scale of change and transformation the world desperately needs.

The book details the number of sustainable and “common sense” initiatives undertaken by Unilever (no surprise there, given the profile of writers!!).

In summary, the book entails that a net optimistic company works around-

1. Improving the lives of everyone it touches, from customers and suppliers to employees and communities, significantly increases long-term shareholder returns.

2. Taking ownership of all the social and environmental impacts its business model creates. This provides opportunities for innovation, savings, and a more humane, connected, and purpose-driven culture.

3. Collaboration is key to driving transformative change. It encourages companies to partner with competitors, civil society, and governments, emphasizing that such collective action can achieve results that no single entity can accomplish alone.

As the book indicates, a CEO is exhorted to become a “courageous net positive leader” who “unlocks a company’s soul” and " blows up boundaries” while espousing “transparency” and “building trust.”

At times, this book seems to be more of a memoir of Polman's time at Unilever, and somewhere in between, it felt that every chapter was merely "preaching to the choir," however, the lessons of business leapt along with every chapter. The book is written in simple language and, undoubtedly, with good intent.

My recommendation- It's a timely and urgently needed book that all current and future business and government leaders should read to practice preaching and become sustainable through action. This book is the hope for the new world by showcasing that SDGs are not lofty goals but are approachable with sincere efforts and by recognising the “elephants in the room”.


Quotes from the book-

“Creating positive returns for stakeholders does not mean satisfying all of them at the same time or focusing equal attention and resources on each. You can't prioritise everyone at once.”

“A single company working alone on a big issue like human rights or decarbonisation may be able to solve 30 or 40 per cent of the problem in its operations. But getting to a 100 per cent solution requires changing the underlying system.”

“...infinite growth on a finite planet is simply not possible. And anything we can’t do forever is by definition unsustainable.”

“People with purpose thrive, brands with purpose grow, and companies with purpose last.”

“Anyone who thinks you can have infinite growth in a finite environment is either a madman or an economist.”