Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Even at this relatively embryonic stage, the current millennium can already boast several defining characteristics. Rampant globalization, social media and smartphones are among those that readily spring to mind. But perhaps history will show that sustainability turned out to be the most important phenomenon of all. Many companies once subscribed to the view that it was an either-or scenario where sustainability and economic success were concerned. Not anymore. The positive impact that sustainability can exert on the longer-term health of an organization is now widely acknowledged. Doubters belong in an ever-dwindling minority. Ignorance has not entirely subsided though. Understanding the challenges of becoming sustainable is often conspicuous by its absence. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.