FINALLY! A Way Out of The "Suicide Economy"
how to grow a sustainable, just and thriving livelihood without selling your soul (or your hours) to "the man"
What is the "Conscious Economy"?
Why does it matter?
Why is the role of "conscious entrepreneurs" and "local living economies" so important?
Here’s what I already know about you. You started a business.
You’re community minded and want to tread lightly on the Earth.
And I bet you want out of the “Suicide Economy”.
You’d like to sustain yourself entirely in the “Conscious Economy”.
You want to sustain yourself and your family - but you are in this venture to be of service to the community and the world. You want to live in integrity with what you know and feel. You don’t want to be effective for your own selfish gain – to make money – but to make a difference.
The notion that “we’re all one” isn’t just a platitude for you. You believe it. You know it to be true.
You want your lifestyle to be one of health and sustainability.
You want to make the world a better place through the project or venture you're working on but your cashflow is tight and your time is stretched to the max.
PLUS: You hate the notion of "selling" things - you just want to help people.
You hate the way that traditional business is done - with its pressure and politics and you yearn for something more authentic and real.
You sense that your current marketing and promotional work is underperforming and you want to attract more customers but advertising seems like a huge waste of money - you just don't know what to do.
Am I right?
Psst . . . here’s a secret you already know . . .
there’s more than ONE economy.
The way “out of the game” is to realize that there’s another one game in town.
Bull.
I suggest that there are actually TWO economies: The Suicide Economy and the Conscious Economy. The first is on its way out (never was sustainable anyway) and the second is one it's way in.
Lemme break this down:
1) The Suicide Economy – this would be the big thing destroying the planet we’re all trying so hard to ignore. It is fast paced, globalized and highly competitive. Much like
2) The Conscious Economy – This economy is slower paced, localized and highly cooperative. It’s not about maximizing profits, but maximizing relationships.
Let’s be clear on the difference. As Judy Wicks, owner of the White Dog Café put it,
“Let me capsulize the local-living-economy movement for you by contrasting what it is and what it is not, what it does and what it does not do:
- maximization of relationships, not of profits;
- growth of consciousness and creativity, not brands and market share;
- democracy and decentralized ownership, not concentrated wealth;
- a living return, not the highest return;
- a living wage, not the minimum wage;
- a fair price, not the lowest price;
- sharing, not hoarding;
- simplicity, not luxury;
- life-serving, not self-serving;
- partnership, not domination;
- cooperation, not competition;
- win-win exchange, not win-lose exploitation;
- family farms, not factory farms;
- biodiversity, not monocrops;
- cultural diversity, not monoculture;
- creativity, not conformity;
- slow food, not fast food;
- our bucks, not Starbucks;
- our mart, not Wal-Mart;
- a love of life, not a love of money.
Let’s be clear:
YOU believe in focusing locally. You are supportive of community gardens, organic food, fair wages, a slower pace of life, being good to each other, recycling (but only after reusing, reducing and sometimes refusing).
YOU want to live the good life and tread lightly on the earth.
YOU believe there is a need (in the face of box stores and franchises) for local businesses, and for conscious entrepreneurs to build stronger community and work together more.
Have you noticed that all the things that are harming the earth and our bodies are normal and “Mainstream” while everything that is good for you is “alternative”?
Imagine that you walk into a grocery store and organic is the normal food (but for a premium you can still get the poisoned, irradiated, pesticide laden crap . . . but since no one buys it they just stop making it.)
I'd also bet you're living with the powerful question of how to balance you're deep inner work with your outer work in the world.
And you probably feel at least a little alone.
The answer – for you and for all of us - is NOT to find ways to become more successful in the current Suicide Economy. It is to find ways to shift, personally and collectively to the Conscious Economy – to Local Living Economies.
What is a Local Living Economy?
Perhaps the best resource on this is the Business Association for Local Living Economies (www.livingeconomies.org). Here’s how they put – see if this doesn’t resonate deeply with you:
A Local Living Economy ensures economic power resides locally, sustaining healthy community life and natural life, as well as long-term economic viability.
A Living Economy is guided by the following principles:
Living 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.
Living 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.
Living 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.
Living 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.
Living 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:
· Source products from businesses with similar values, with a preference for local procurement
· Provide employees a healthy workplace with meaningful living wage jobs
· Offer customers personal service and useful safe, quality products
· Work with suppliers to establish a fair exchange
· Cooperate 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
But it’s not so easy, it it?
After all, there’s are increasing ways to SPEND your money consciously but how many ways are there for you to MAKE your money consciously?
It breaks your heart to see how the big the gap is between where we are and where we could be.
It’s a deadly merry go round and it’s not easy to get off – especially since it keeps speeding up.
You’d like to eat only organic food but it’s expensive. You’d like to not have to drive a car but you feel forced to by circumstance. You want to buy from more conscious companies but you don’t always know which ones are legit.
You feel immobilized sometimes.
So, YOU’RE trying to make money in a more conscious way.
Hard isn’t it?
Why you making more money
is a GOOD thing
for the world
There are too many good people, like you, doing good things who are struggling in their businesses.
And, let me be blunt: you’re struggle is hurting the world.
When people can’t buy from YOU – a more conscious business – they’ll likely buy from the convenient crappy corporation around the corner.
If YOU had more money in your pocket you know you’d invest it in life affirming projects. And your goal isn’t to get rich anyway! I may think capitalism is the devil but I also think you having more money is a very important thing. I think if your basic needs were met (and then some) you’d have more space in your life to be active in your community, to share with those who need it and to enjoy your life.
In a world where many feel trapped in the suicide economy we need role models of possibility. If people see YOU succeeding in a conscious way, it will inspire them to know it’s possible and to work towards it.
Like Marianne Williamson put it “your playing small does NOT serve the world.”
Too many spiritually and socially aware business people are frustrated with lagging profits and unresponsive marketing.
You have a sense that your business could be doing better . . . but you just don’t know how to do it.
Some, despite the brave face, are barely making ends meet. It’s heartbreaking to watch . . . but even moreso to go through.
The Personal Reason I’m So Committed to Your Success
In truth, I could have made money doing non-profit work (I have many standing offers), or from the corporate world, but I couldn’t bring myself to do something that my heart wasn’t into.
This is probably true for you too. Isn’t it?
After working one 9-5 job for two weeks I decided that I would never do that again. I couldn’t stand being subservient to someone. I was repulsed by vesting my life energy in something with so little meaning. I had to be in total control over the hours I worked. I needed freedom that only having my own business could provide.
For the past ten years I've watched my very close friends feel they have to either sell out or be broke and pretend that it's okay. I have seen friends who used to be die hard activists trying to start businesses and struggle with how to stay true to their roots and yet also thrive as a for profit business.
I’ve seen people who were working within industries they knew were destroying the earth and lives of innocent people and rationalized it because they needed to pay their bills… but I saw how it gnawed at them.
But where can you find a high paying job for positive change agents in a global economic system that values only money, measures only money and turns all life into a commodity with a price tag to make money? You know global corporate capitalism is destroying our communities and our world - but YOU need to pay your rent.
As we transition from a suicide economy to a life-affirming one, YOU still need to eat. YOU still need to buy underwear and paper. For the foreseeable future - people are still going to need “stuff” and, like it or not, businesses will be providing much of it.
Given that reality, I want to see the locally owned bookstore thrive, not Chapters. I want to see the neighborhood coffee house bustling while Starbucks starves. I want your business – and businesses like it - to be overflowing with customers.
But here's what I've found – see if you agree:
1) Most people have no idea about the level of destruction and injustice in the world
2) Most of the ones who do know feel overwhelmed by it
3) The few who aren't overwhelmed feel caught between being “a broke activist” and "working for the man". Personal success vs. the common good.
Many people give up then.
They commiserate with their friends about how there’s not much they can do.
But there are some brave souls out there, like YOU, who refuse to believe they had to choose and started a socially responsible business. A social venture. They are wrestling with the question: How do you make a living while making a difference?
Seeing this struggle made me sick inside, and so, finally, I decided to take some massive action. I decided to really learn how to market so I could help my friends end their financial suffering. And my own.
Your All Important Role As
Conscious Entrepreneur
In Today’s World
First of all . . .
YOU probably don’t appreciate the magnitude of the gift you’re giving the world. Not really.
YOU probably don’t appreciate fully the importance of locally owned, progressive businesses for the state of our planet.
And because of this – I’d guess that you don’t fully appreciate the importance of your business thriving – not to yourself but to the world.
But we need alternatives.
A great deal of the unconscious destruction of this world is driven by - I believe – unconscious daily choices. And those choices are kept in place by the deeply held assumptions and institutions of the Suicide Economy.
The challenge is that most of the alternatives are easily marginalized by massive marketing and advertising budgets and branding campaigns of larger corporations. Most efforts to create viable alternatives are either crushed or – more likely – the fizzle out when the visionary burns out.
That this world is in crisis is not a matter of debate. That we need successful alternatives fast is not up for grabs. The only question is how effective we will be.
MY BOTTOM LINE: If your business thrives the world is a better place.
So, how do YOU shift from the Suicide Economy to the Conscious Economy . . . without losing your shirt?!
I am in the business of helping conscious visionaries, like yourself, close the gap between where your business is now and where you want it to be.
I work with individuals who are currently, and passionately engaged in a for-profit social enterprise and want to take it to the next level - but need help to do so. I work with social entrepreneurs who are open, willing to be challenged, coached and supported.
My vision is to help create so many incredibly profitable and thriving social ventures that, not only is traditional business given a run for its money - not only is it directly challenged - it is either transformed or replaced.
I hope you find this website useful in seeing whether or not I might be able to help you.
Please enjoy your visit.
Slainte Mhath is Sith Leibh,
(Scottish Gaelic phrase meaning "Good health and peace be with you")
Tad Hargrave
p.s. KEEP
I hope that it leaves no doubt in your mind as to why YOUR role as a social entrepreneur makes an impact that no non-profit, no NGO, no activist can have.
The Case for the
Conscious Economy:
The Problem
This report is a compilation of the writings of David C. Korten, Michael Shumacher, Victor Bremsen and Judy Wicks.
David Korten: Having reached the limits of an Era of Empire, humanity is compelled to accept responsibility for the consequences of its presence on a finite planet, make a conscious collective choice to leave behind the excesses of its adolescence, and take the step to species maturity. It is the most exciting moment of opportunity in the history of the species.
The Era of Empire embraced competition and domination as its organizing principles, hierarchy as its favored organizational form, and ultimately chose money as its defining value.
The Empire Era created a them/us mentality that justified exploitation, slavery, and genocide, and glorified domination over other peoples and nature.
It has led to the emergence of a global suicide economy — otherwise known as the corporate global economy — that is rapidly destroying the social and environmental foundations of its own existence and threatening the survival of the human species. It is the Era's final stage.
The global corporations that are the ruling institutions of the suicide economy are required by law, structure, and the imperatives of global finance to maximize financial returns to absentee owners without regard to the consequences for people or planet.
In short, they are programmed to behave like cancers that seek their own unlimited growth without regard to the consequences.
As these pathological institutions have consolidated their power, the imperatives of global finance have come to dominate the economic, political, and cultural lives of people, communities, and nations everywhere.
Victor Bremson (Retired Management Consultant and Business Turn Around Specialist):
For example: over the last 40 years, North America has rapidly moved from downtown “main street” economies populated by local independent businesses devoted to serving community needs to a global “Wall Street” economy dominated by huge predatory discount chains located in the middle of vast parking lots seeking to extract the maximum profit from local consumers in the shortest possible time.
With household names like Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Costco and many others, these chains mimic the behavior of predator species characteristic of immature ecosystems.
In simple terms, they destroy all other competing businesses in their path. Our financial economy specialists proclaim how wonderful their increase in market share is, without taking into effect the damage done to our communities.
Owned primarily by investors without a stake in the local community, these "predators" force community based competitors out of business by pricing very low, sometimes even below cost. They accomplish this partially by making their suppliers dependent on them and then constantly squeeze them for greater margin.
In the short-run, predator chains keep consumers happy with lower prices and small investors with attractive returns on investment. The substantial costs to the community are less visible, but become ever more substantial over time.
These costs include loss of entrepreneurial class local business, losses of higher paid jobs, loss of environmental standards, increased need for automobile usage and loss of support for building community infrastructure.
Judy Wicks, White Dog Café:
The movement for socially responsible business is changing.
· Many, if not most, of our model companies who began the movement and taught us so much, have been or are being sold to large businesses which continue to grow larger and larger (e.g. when Unilever -- with hundreds of brands -- bought Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream Inc., in April 2000. But the movement certainly had the breath knocked out of it. The Vermont company that had served as a model of fairness to workers and an advocate for the environment had been absorbed into the sort of entity that Wicks and her ilk had been fighting: multinational behemoths that in their view transfer wealth out of local communities).
· Since the early 1970s, decisions by corporations to move operations to another state or abroad have cost US workers and communities some 75 million jobs. Most of these jobs were in the better paid manufacturing sector, with the bulk of the remaining jobs lost being backroom operations that support service and retail firms.
· Capital mobility is thus a major reason why 80% of US households have seen their incomes stagnate or decline over this same period.
· Non-profits have serious impediments to being efficient producers of goods or services: more hands-on boards that occupy inordinate staff time; legal barriers to accumulating assets and hence collateral for financing expansion; social missions that often compel them to pay more for unproductive workers than private firms would, and high turnover of the most productive staff.
The Solution
"The solution to globalization is not to throw rocks at big businesses like Wal-Mart but to build the alternative," says Shuman, author of Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in a Global Age.
The "alternative" that Shuman is talking about includes not just businesses that are planted on
And if that well-worn dollar must go elsewhere, let it go to another locally owned business, not to a global corporation. Local business people are as threatened by giant national and transnational industrial, financial, service, and retail corporations as working people are.
Part of the reason Shuman is so high on locally owned for-profits is that "Americans are unlikely to hitch their future to these unconventional corporate forms [cooperatives, non-profits, and public enterprises]... The nation's ideological commitment to private property and the profit motive, reinforced by the mythology of the rugged individual, are too deeply etched into our collective psyche." (p.99).
The human future depends on moving beyond the self-limiting and ultimately self-destructive ways of Empire to become a new Era of Community in which life is the defining cultural value, cooperation and partnership are society's organizing principles, and networking is the predominant organizational form.
The culture and institutions of the global suicide economy must be replaced by the culture and institutions of a planetary system of living economies that mimics the behavior of healthy living organisms and ecosystems.
Living Economies. A living economy is comprised of fair-profit [in contrast to profit maximizing] and not-for-profit living enterprises that are place-based, human-scale, stakeholder-owned, democratically accountable, and life serving.
In contrast to the publicly-traded, limited-liability corporation, which is best described as a pool of money dedicated to its self-replication, living 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.
Millions of such living enterprises already exist throughout the world. Many have been around for generations. Many people already have a preference for patronizing such enterprises.
Although the foundation of a planetary system of living economies already exists, it remains for these enterprises to recognize and value the potentials they embody and to consciously advance the formation of living economies by growing new webs of relationships among themselves as they walk away from the pathological culture and institutions of the suicide economy.
As living economies become established and recognized as viable and attractive alternatives to collective suicide, they will become a favored choice — of the culturally conscious for employment, shopping and investment — attracting ever more life energy away from the suicide economy and to themselves.
The process will accelerate as living economies offer an increasing and ever more visible variety of viable, beneficial options. Ultimately, the culture and institutions of economic pathology will give way to those of economic health.
The Era of Community is the opposite of the them/us mentality of the Empire Era, with qualities of oneness, sharing, caring, and non-violence - what Martin Luther King called "the Beloved Community." Creating an economic system, which models these qualities, a "Living Economy," that will provide an alternative to the Suicide Economy of the Empire Era is a challenge for today's entrepreneurs.
The new movement is not about maximizing profits, but about maximizing relationships. Rather than striving for continuous growth, national branding and centralized control, new models are scaled to build authentic and meaningful relationships, which add to the quality of life in our local communities and natural environment.
