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The very Core of Economics

The very Core of Economics

door | Creativiteit, Duurzaam, Persoonlijke ontwikkeling, Procesmanagement, Strategisch denken

The word Economy is derived from the Greek oikos (οἶκος): house and nomos (νόμος): rule. Literally so: home economics. Economy is a science concerned with the choices people make at the production, consumption and distribution of scarce goods and services.

Economy

One may also state that an economy (from Greek οίκος – “household” and νέμoμαι – “manage”) is an area of the production, distribution and trade, as well as consumption of goods and services by different agents. In general, it is defined as “a social domain that emphasize the practices, discourses, and material expressions associated with the production, use, and management of resources”.

A given economy is the result of a set of processes that involves its culture, values, education, technological evolution, history, social organization, political structure and legal systems. As well as its geography, natural resource endowment, and ecology, as main factors.

Economic Activities

Economic activity is spurred by production which uses natural resources, labor and capital. It has changed over time due to technology, innovations (new products, services, processes, expanding markets, diversification of markets, niche markets, increases revenue functions).

It has changed due to innovations such as that which produces intellectual property and changes in industrial relations (most notably child labor being replaced in some parts of the world with universal access to education). The global economy refers to humanity’s economic system or systems overall.

Doughnut Economics

Kate Raworth Doughnut Economics is a visual framework for sustainable development combining the concept of planetary boundaries with the complementary concept of social boundaries. The main goal of the new model is to re-frame economic problems and set new goals.

The name Doughnut derives from the shape of the diagram, i.e. a disc with a hole in the middle. The centre hole of the model depicts the proportion of people that lack access to life’s essentials (healthcare, education, equity and so on) while the crust represents the ecological ceilings (planetary boundaries) that life depends on and must not be overshot.

Kate Raworth explains that the Doughnut Economy is based on the premise that “Humanity’s 21st century challenge is to meet the needs of all within the means of the planet”.

Business Studio

The Business Studio concept is especially designed to help managers to meet these needs, to help organizations with hands-on, easy-to-use, actionable innovation tools. Participants are educated to visualize the internal organizational processes, the business model, and the eco-system surrounding the organization.

Starting from the premises that our planet is our home and house, participants are to explore the impact and effect of new trends and new planetary house rules – i.e. the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) – on their current organizational processes. To identify Innovation Sweet Spots – and Blind Spots – in order to capture new sources of value.

To notice and discover that the trends and these new house rules may lead to healthy and prosperous innovations, to new markets and new customers, to new business models and … growth.

 

 

 

The New Economy

The New Economy

door | Cultuur, Duurzaam, Maatschappij, Organiseren, Strategisch denken, Wijze van denken

The New Economy

(sources: David C. Korten, Michael Schumacher, Victor Bremsen, Judy Wicks, Michael Shuman, Paul Hawken, Tad Hargrave).

 

The New Economy is about maximizing relationships and not about maximizing profits.. Rather than striving for continuous growth, international branding and centralized control, new models are scaled to build authentic and meaningful relationships, which add to the quality of life in local / regional communities and natural environment.

 

An alternative

People are sick and tired of the world being run by huge multinational corporations. They are sick of the same old marketing tactics and manipulative sales that they see being used.

People are craving something that feels more real and authentic instead of synthetic and contrived.

 

The solution is to build an alternative. This alternative includes not just businesses that are planted on the Kalvermarkt, Lijnbaan or De Passage but entire economies that are locally based.

Local business people are as threatened by giant international and transnational industries, financials, service and retail corporations / platforms as working people are.

 

Shuman: “The more times an Euro circulates in the community, the more jobs, income, and wealth there is in the community”. And if that well-worn Euro must go elsewhere, let it go to another locally owned business, and not to a global corporation.

 

The culture and institutions of the global economy must be replaced by the culture and institutions of a planetary system of new economies that mimics the behavior of healthy living organisms and ecosystems.

 

New Economies

A new economy is comprised of fair-profit and not-for-profit enterprises that are place-based, human-scale, stakeholder- owned, democratically accountable, and life and environment serving. The new economy is slower paced, localized and highly cooperative. It’s not about maximizing profits, but maximizing relationships.

 

New enterprises function as communities of people engaged in the business of creating just, sustainable, and fulfilling livelihoods for themselves while contributing to the economic health and prosperity of the community.

 

New Economy principles

The New Economy is guided by the following principles:
– new economy communities produce and exchange locally as many products needed by their citizens as they reasonably can, while reaching out to other communities to trade in those products they cannot reasonably produce at home. These communities value their unique character and encourage cultural exchange and cooperation;

– new economy public policies support decentralized ownership of businesses and farms, fair wages, taxes, and budget allocations, trade policies benefiting local economies, and stewardship of the natural environment.

– new economy consumers appreciate the benefits of buying from living economy businesses and, if necessary, are willing to pay a price premium to secure those personal and community benefits.

– new economy investors value businesses that are community stewards and as such accept a ‘living return’ on their financial investments rather than a maximum return, recognizing the value derived from enjoying a healthy and vibrant community and sustainable global economy.

 

– new economy businesses are primarily independent and locally owned, and value the needs and interests of all stakeholders, while building long-term profitability.

 

They strive to ..

The New Economy strives to:

_ source products from businesses with similar values, with a preference for local or regional procurement;

– provide employees a healthy workplace with meaningful living wage jobs;  

– offer customers personal service and useful, safe, quality and sustainable products;  

– work with suppliers to establish a fair exchange;  

– coöperate with other businesses in ways that balance their self-interest with their obligation to the community and future generations;  

– use their business practices to support an inclusive and healthy community, and to protect our natural environment;

– yield a ‘living return’ to owners and investors.

 

 

 
New Economy marketing

New Economy marketing

door | Creativiteit, Duurzaam, Filosofie, Maatschappij, Organiseren, Strategisch denken, Wijze van denken

New Economy marketing
(sources: Jerry Stifelman, Richard Harshaw, Tad Hargrove)

The New Economy market – the ‘green’ or lifestyle of health and sustainability) market (LOHAS) is big and getting bigger every year. It’s the fastest growing segment of the economy And, of course, making money – a fair and healthy income – is a part of it.

The New Economy market

– the ‘market’ is predominantly female, about 60% of them. Females seem to be the driving force;
– they’re highly educated and have about average income;
– they’re the least price sensitive;
– they’re very influential over the buying decisions of the family and friends;
– they are very brand loyal when a brand supports and continues to support their values and ideals;
– and, they’re willing to spend up to 20-25% more for products that they believe in. They absolutely loves to tell their friends and family about who they buy from and, well, you get the picture;
– they are avid readers, TV watchers and radio listeners;
– they are significantly affected by their concern for the health of their families, sustainability of the planet, personal development and the future of our society;
– they are often alienated and misunderstood, and cannot easily be targeted by traditional marketing or PR efforts.

New Economy market sectors

At first glance, it may appear that the six sectors have little in common. But millions of consumers believe there is commonality that transcends any operational and structural differences. The interconnections between global economies, cultures, environments, and political systems play a large role in the holistic worldview of the typical New Economy consumer. Equally important are the interconnections of mind, body and spirit within the individuals.

This focus on Personal Health and on Personal Development, with the ultimate goal of achieving his or her full human potential, is of utmost concern to the Cultural Creative.
The current growth in this market group strongly supports the notion that spirituality is no longer relegated to the New Age periphery but is undeniably migrating to the center of mainstream cultural awareness.

Five New Economy Values
Five core values are driving the more cultural-conscious and socially-minded consumers:

– Health and Safety. Conscious consumers seek natural, organic and unmodified products that meet their essential health and nutrition needs. They avoid chemicals or pesticides that can harm their health or the planet. They are looking for standards and safeguards to ensure the quality of the products they consume;

– Honesty. Conscious consumers insist that companies reliably and accurately detail product features and benefits. They will reward companies that are honest about processes and practices, authentic about products and accountable for their impact on the environment and larger society;

– Convenience. Faced with increasing constraints on their time and household budgets, conscious consumers are practical about purchasing decisions, balancing price with needs and desires and demanding quality. These consumers want to do what’s easy, what’s essential for getting by and make decisions that fit their lifestyles and budget;

– Relationships. Who made it? Where does it come from? Am I getting back what I put into it? These consumers want more meaningful relationships with the brands in their lives. They seek out opportunities to support the local economy when given the chance, want to know the source of the products they buy and desire more personal interactions when doing business;

– Doing Good. Conscious consumers are concerned about the world and want to do their part to make it a better place. From seeking out environmentally-friendly products to rewarding fair trade and labor practices companies, they are making purchasing choices that can help others. These consumers want to make a difference and they want brands to do the same.

New Clients

The four keys components to getting new clients. The word of mouth seems to be the most powerful marketing tool. But there is this question of how can we get a more active form of word of mouth. There are a lot of premises underneath this. Actually, there are 20 premises but these are the most important ones,

The four keys components to getting new clients. The word of mouth seems to be the most powerful marketing tool. But there is this question of how can we get
a more active form of word of mouth. There are a lot of premises underneath this. Actually, there are 20 premises but these are the most important ones, composed into the four most important components.
Each of these components has an aspect for an inner game and an outer game. Depth marketing consist of four levels of the inner and outer game. Each level can help you attract more brand new clients and each level can help you get the most out of your existing relationships. Let’s focus on the outer game first since that is where most people’s minds go first.

– The first component has to do with a niche. The niche is your target market. It is who you are going after. This is the center of any marketing. It is about looking at the right niche of who are you going after. There are two elements that make up a strong niche and three critical aspects to a strong niche

– The second component is the irresistible offer. What are you offering to this niche? A lot of people make the mistake in marketing of thinking, “Oh, I’m going to design this product and service,” and then it is like: “How do I market it?”. That is seen as a separate step. There are three secrets of crafting an irresistible offer…
If we are going to be successful in business, we need to step back and think of the marketing in the design process itself. Meaning, how can we make the product so irresistible inherently, that it is easy to sell, versus just a generic sort of bland, boring product and service and then figuring out how we can sort of sell the sizzle and not the steak. The second component is the offer.

– The third component is the hubs. This was one of the things that really made so much sense to New Economy entrepreneurs and an answer to questions like: “Where do I market? How do I find people?” Where you find them depends entirely on who you are looking for. One group of people is going to hang out in one place, another group is going to hang out in another place. There are seven types of hubs you can use but be aware of the three must-have qualities of a good hub.
It’s not just about where to find them. It’s also about a way to build trust with them. That’s a lot more powerful than other things you may have tried. So that’s the third component, the hubs.

– Fourth is the Word of Mouth strategies. May be you are already getting passive word of mouth but are there things you can do to accelerate it and get more word of mouth? Well, yes. As mentioned above, there are twenty critical premises of Word of Mouth marketing. And there are these three core aspects of any Word of Mouth marketing you will ever do if you want to be successful in your business.
You might also consider a few quick cash-flow secrets that could increase your cashflow by 10% overnight. And, that is noticed as very conservative…

The Experience Economy

The Experience Economy

door | Creativiteit, Cultuur, Filosofie, Maatschappij, Wijze van denken

Time and money are two things in the experience economy and people want to spend their hard­-earned money and hard-­earned time on experiences, experiences they perceive as authentic. (from What Consumers Want, by Joseph Pine).

Modern consumer culture

In his TEDx talk Joseph Pine essentially discusses the shift in modern consumer culture from a goods-based economy to an experience-based economy.  He claims that companies are now trying to sell authentic experiences to their customers—the one problem with this  authenticity is, it isn’t real.  Pine believes that we cannot have the authentic experience we so desperately want, because literally everything about our consumer-based society destroys the possibility of authenticity.

Experience-based economy

In the last three decades services are starting to be customized. The one marketing question was: “What will happen when you design a service that is so appropriate for a particular person—that’s exactly what they need at this moment in time? Then you can’t help but make them go WOW, you can’t help but turn it into a memorable event. You can’t help but turn it into an experience”. As a result, we’re shifting into an experience-based economy

Authenticity

Authenticity is becoming the new consumer sensibility. Time and money are the two things in the experience economy. As well as goods and services became commodities, people want to spend their hard­-earned money and hard-­earned time on experiences. experiences they perceive as authentic.

Customers desire an authentic experience with price in mind. For a business to be authentic, they need to stay true to themselves, with the examples of Disney, the dance events and the exchange markets proving this. In order for a business to provide an authentic service and be authentic, they need not to state that they are authentic unless they truly are. The number one thing to do, when it comes to being what you say you are, is to provide places for people to experience who you are.

Authentic experiences

  • There is no such thing as an inauthentic experience. Why?  Because the experience happens inside of us.  It’s our reaction to the events that are staged in front of us;

  • As long as we are in any sense authentic human beings, then every experience we have, is authentic;
  • Everyone has this desire for the authentic. And authenticity is therefore becoming the new consumer sensibility. It is the buying criteria by which consumers are choosing who they are going to buy from, and what they’re going to buy;
  • With the experience economy, it’s about rendering authenticity. The keyword is rendering, because you have to get your consumers – as business people – to perceive your offerings as authentic;
  • But there is a basic paradox. One can have an inauthentic experience, but no business can supply one. Because all businesses are man-made objects, all business is involved with money, all business is a matter of using machinery. And all those things make something inauthentic.

Dimensions of authenticity

There are in principle two dimensions to authenticity:

  • Self-directed, or being true to oneself
  • Other-directed, or being what you say you are to others

The easiest way not to be true to yourself is not to understand your very heritage, and thereby repudiate that heritage. Knowing your heritage is what you have done in the past. And what you have done in the past limits what you can do, what you can get away with, essentially, in the future.  So you have to understand the past.

On the Art world

Even though Joseph Pine is talking about economics, the conclusion he makes – that authenticity is in fact a product of our society’s rejection of innovation – holds water when it comes to the art world as well. 

The art world has been focused, for such a long time, on holding true to the past, on being authentic to what came before. When in reality, all that an artist needs to do to be authentic, per se, is “to thine own self be true. And it doth follow, as night the day, that thou canst not then be false to any man”. Polonius, in all his spuriousness, seems to get to the heart of what it means to be authentic…

 

 

 

 

 

Innovatie en Creativiteit

Innovatie en Creativiteit

door | Creativiteit, Innoveren, Procesmanagement, Strategisch denken

De voorspelling is dat Artificial Intelligence en robots zo’n 10-20% van alle banen gaan vervangen. Hoe ga je dan als mens de competitie aan met iets of ‘iemand’ die een 5.000 keer sneller is, die 5.000 keer sneller denkt? Dat lijkt een verloren zaak.
(vrij naar Duncan Wardle)

Ons brein

Het bewuste brein, het laterale denken, is als een rivier die de heuvel afstroomt. Na verloop van tijd komt er herkenning en de rivier van het denken wordt breder, dieper en sneller. Je krijgt expertise en dat is precies waarom je wordt aangenomen. Vanwege jouw expertise. Ze willen jouw expertise en jouw manier van denken.

De automobiel industrie bestaat nu zo’n 150 jaar en ze weten precies waar het stuurmoet zitten. Nu betreden Apple en Google deze markt en die zeiden: “We weten niet hoe wij een auto moeten bouwen. Heb je echt een stuur nodig?”. Wie denk je dat er over een 30-50 jaar nog bestaan?

Creativiteit ontwikkelen

  1. Het gaat bij creativiteit om het teruggaan in het denken van een kind. Niet in het kinderachtige, maar in het kinderlijke. Ons brein is voor zo’n 85% onbewust. Door speelsheid wordt de deur tussen het bewuste en onbewust lopen gezet.
  2. Iets anders wat kinderen echt goed kunnen is, zich afvragen: “Wat als…?” of “Stel je een wereld voor waar …”, “Wat als er geen lijnen, geen grenzen, zijn..”. Kinderen zijn uitermate nieuwsgierig en vragen constant : “Waarom…?” Als ouders hebben we geleerd dat er bij elke vraag één antwoord is. Als ouders hebben we onze creativiteit verloren toen we zes jaar waren, toen we naar school gingen, geschoold werden…

Schrijf alle regels, het reglement of de hindernissen eens op om bijvoorbeeld naar een Walt Disney park te gaan en daar te komen. Je moet naar een parkeerplaats, auto, hotel in de rij staan voor een kaartje, …  Wat nu als je niet in de rij hoeft te staan? Wat als er geen rijen zouden zijn…? Bij Walt Disney vroegen ze zich af hoe ze de grootste pijnpunten van klanten konden oplossen.

  1. Hoe anders…? Wat kunnen we anders doen? Denk eens aan een car wash. Zou het ook een car spa mogen zijn? Met alles er op en er aan. Die wijze van denken haalt je uit jouw gebruikelijke manier van denken, jouw rivier van denken.

Bij Walt Disney kennen ze geen medewerkers. Het zijn acteurs, cast members, Ze dragen ook geen uniform maar een kostuum. Ze zijn ook nooit off stage, altijd on stage. Zo is er in het hotel ook geen receptioniste, maar een director of first impressions…

  1. Als mens zijn we trieste gewoontedieren. Als je bijvoorbeeld naar huis rijdt, dan schakelt jouw brein uit, gewoon uit verveling. Mensen die op projecten werken waar ze nog nooit mee te maken hebben gehad, juist daar vinden de ongeplande en nieuwsgierige gesprekken plaats. Om nieuwe ideeën op te doen en creatief te zijn.
  2. Moed, kinderen zijn soms bewonderenswaardig moedig. Ze zijn moedig en innovatief. En dan niet op een kinderachtige manier, maar op een kinderlijke wijze. Het moedigste dier in het oerwoud is .. de nederige vlinder. Het is het vlindergevoel in de buik…

Wanneer heb je die nu voor het laatst gevoeld in jouw werk? Niet in het afgelopen jaar, dan is de kans groot dat je – in de creatieve wereld – werkeloos bent met een jaar of twee. Conformiteit is immers het tegendeel, het tegenovergestelde, van moed…

AI en robots

De voorspelling is dat Artificial Intelligence en robots zo’n 10-20% van alle banen gaan vervangen. Hoe ga je dan als mens de competitie aan met iets of ‘iemand’ die 5.000 keer sneller is, die 5.000 keer sneller denkt? Dat lijkt een verloren zaak.

Het antwoord zit ‘m in: creativiteit, verbeelding, intuïtie, emoties, intelligentie en nieuwgierigheid. Het antwoord zit ‘m ook in kwesties als correct en gevoelvol relaties aangaan en onderhouden, interactie plegen en in ethische kwesties. Het zal heel lang duren voordat AI en robots de mens daarin kunnen gaan vervangen…

De mens-maat

De voorspelling is ook dat als we niet opletten zowel de digitalisering, AI en robots de mens uit het ‘normale’ leven filteren, wegsnijden uit het dagelijkse gebeuren en de humane wereld zoals we die graag zien. De mens is dan uit het denken verdwenen, wordt beschouwd als object en regels, procedures en de artificiële ‘kennis’ bepalen hoe we met elkaar omgaan. Het is zaak de mens-maat in de gaten te houden bij alles wat we voorstellen, beslissen, aangaan en ondernemen. Het is het creatief, intuïtief, gevoelvol en nieuwsgierig zoeken naar een weloverwogen evenwicht tussen digitalisering, AI, robotisering én de mens als subject.