The American (Bad) Dream

The American Dream expresses the aspiration for a "better, richer, and happier life." Hmm... The minimum wage in New York currently stands at just under $15,000 and the national average wage stands at about $31,500. By contrast it is forecast (NY Times, July 15) that Goldman Sachs employees “could on average, earn roughly $770,000 each this year or nearly what they did at the height of the boom.” This average includes every banker, trader, mailroom and janitor at the firm, or over 50 times...

Ethonomics

Ethonomics is a word that will that spread, so don't be freaked out by it. Most recently used by Fast Company magazine to mean a hybrid of technology, design, and social responsibility that is about ethics in the marketplace. Progressively the concept of the triple bottom line will become the quadruple bottom line - in my opinion. The fourth element will be about ethics, or the state of being. If the motivation for dealing with profits, people and the planet does not come from the heart, ...

Health or sick reform?

Someone Must Pay for Health Reform is the title of an article by Catherine Arnst in Business Week (June 1, 2009). She says that, "there are only three ways to pay for universal coverage: Raise taxes, cut payments to medical providers, or ration care." How can it be in this era of systems thinking that such a view can prevail? It assumes that the current US view of healthcare delivery is about health, when it is actually about sickness. The whole current argument rages around a sick sy...

Disservice is unsustainable service

Disservice is an act intended to help, that turns out badly. How often do you have a disservice experience? Frequently, I will wager. When disservice happens, I figure it results from an absence of  generosity. If the concept of service is purely one that seeks sales and lacks a genuine desire to serve, then it is unlikely to be sustainable. There is currently a major US TV advertising campaign for a 'service' called xoom.com, that offers to transfer money more economically than ban...

E=R

Knowing that entrepreneurs are the best economic stimulus for any economy, the Kauffman Foundation's "E=R" campaign is driving home this simple equation: Entrepreneurs Equal Recovery. Take a trip to the Real Clear Markets website and learn more, as well as finding many opportunities.

Opt In Now

Opt In Now is a new microfinance organization that enables people to make loans direct to entrepreneurs in the developing world. When you give your money to OptInNow, they call that "funding a loan" to empower entrepreneurs. With greater support in hand businesses grow. Entrepreneurs hire others in the community, allowing them to provide for their individual families, affecting change where it is needed most. They look for people with the passion to make a difference and a vision for success. Th...