Whenever I talk with a company about circularity for their specific product and business situation, one question comes up almost every time:
“Will it pay off for us?”
I love this question. It tells me the company already understands circularity and is ready to start.
It skips the small talk and goes straight to what matters most. It also opens a deep dive into the real hurdle, which in most cases isn’t technology, but the business case.
Why there’s no direct answer
The thing is, you can’t answer this question directly.
Your product and your business situation (market, customers, competitors) set the frame. The business model has to make it work, both financially and operationally.
The same product can:
- cost money as a compliance obligation, or
- earn money as a proactive refurbishment service.
The product stays the same. The business model makes the difference.
Two better questions to ask
So instead of “Will it pay off for us?”, I suggest asking two other questions:
- Which circular business model fits our product and our business?
- How do we make it work?
Once you’ve answered the first, the second becomes a calculation instead of a guess.
Ready to go circular?
If your company is ready to take the step and a structured approach would help, MIDORI360 was designed for exactly this kind of challenge, and we’re happy to support you.