BluPlanet Recycling Inc. (BluPlanet), was a successful recycling service provider based in Calgary, Alberta, that faced the challenge of maintaining its balance between social, environmental, and economic objectives amid rapid growth. Its chief executive officer was considering plans regarding the expansion of the company while preserving its social and environmental commitments. The options included diversifying from waste collection and transportation into waste processing, particularly organic waste, and expanding geographically into Western Canada or the Northwestern United States. Additionally, he was interested in exploring how BluPlanet could be more innovative and introduce new technologies. With the company’s annual strategy retreat approaching, he sought to present clear plans for sustainable growth to his top management team.
HelpSeeker Technologies, a Calgary-based technology startup, employed technological innovations such as digitization and artificial intelligence (AI) to address social welfare solutions, facilitating swift access by its users to crucial resources like psychological aid, medical services, and housing. HelpSeeker confronted a significant challenge: reconciling its identity as a technology firm with its commitment to societal betterment. In October 2023, facing the need to expand and monetize its services, the company grappled with the delicate task of scaling without compromising its core mission of addressing pressing social issues.
In the sunny afternoon of October 5, 2023, in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), the co-founders of TRAE Group contemplated the challenge of growing their business while maintaining a delicate balance between commercial activities and their social mission of addressing global food security. In view of the changes in the global markets due to COVID-19 and geo-political tensions, they needed to evaluate the potential impacts of inflation, supply chain disruptions, and other global events on their ability to generate income and continue their social initiatives. The dilemma was whether to reassess their business strategies, explore alternative suppliers, or diversify their product offerings.