<p>Most businesses are built on a linear model: take, make, and discard. But that norm is reaching its limits, and leaders are under pressure to find smarter, more sustainable ways to operate. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Weslynne Ashton</strong> is a systems scientist and professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology. In her masterclass at HBR’s 2024 Leaders Who Make a Difference conference, she explains how companies can shift to a circular economic strategy. One that reduces waste, reinvests in communities, and creates long-term value. She shares how businesses around the world are rethinking products, partnerships, and growth itself to build more resilient, regenerative business models. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Key episode topics include:</strong> environmental sustainability, corporate social responsibility, ESG, climate change, business models, strategy, competitive strategy </p><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span></p><p><em>HBR On Strategy</em> curates the best conversations and case studies with the world’s top business and management experts, to help you unlock new ways of doing business. New episodes every week. </p><p> </p><ul><li>Learn more about <a href="https://events.bizzabo.com/570880?promo=HBRAPP&tr=true" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">HBR’s 2024 Leaders Who Make a Difference Conference</a> </li><li>Find more <a href="https://events.hbs.edu/group/harvard_business_review" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">Harvard Business Review live events</a> </li><li>Discover 100 years of Harvard Business Review articles, case studies, podcasts, and more at <a href="https://hbr.org/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">HBR.org</a> </li></ul><p><br></p>