[Ailist] Devaluing by valuing Re: What is the Life Force (Vital energy/Prana) ofBusiness?

[info at almond-insight.com]

I am sending a copy of a message I sent 2 days ago which wasn't posted to
the list...

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Thank you all for this fascinating discussion.  I learned a lot from it.

I must say that I am not comfortable with some of the cynicism voiced
about the current economic systems,profit, trading, share-ownership, money
and measurements.  Sure, not all of these systems work well and certainly
there is space for improvement, but to say that they are all wrong is a
bit too much.  What I wish is for all of us to practice what we're
preaching and focus on the parts of the current for-profit landscape that
are good; on times these systems have worked very well, made a positive
contribution to the world and the things we wish to see more of. I believe
the world would have been a lot worse if we didn't have for-profit
companies developing more efficient ways to produce food, develop drugs,
and bring about technological innovation.

Measurements can and should be improved.  We should not dismiss them.  We
need to recognize that measurements lead people to focus energy in a
desired direction therefore if we want to encourage certain behavior, lets
measure it.  The trick is to come up with measurements that are life
giving rather than life-destroying.  Our measurements can be aligned with
what we want to see MORE OF rather than with what we want to see LESS OF.

Profit does drive behavior, always have and always will have - whether you
measure it in Dollars, pounds, yens, land, sea shells or even slaves.
Wealth, regardless of measurement is always sought by humans as it is a
translation of power and for some, self worth.  The question is how do we
direct people's desire for wealth to be aligned with goals that are adding
hope, happiness, comfort, sustainability and fulfillment to others.  The
system of carbon trading is very good in my view because it brings us one
step closer to a less polluted world. Can there be a better system?
probably! does it mean we shouldn't start with a carbon trading system and
seek better ways afterwards, no!  Also, carbon trading in Europe is
attached to an overall reduction of CO2 emissions.  In other words, each
organization has to reduce their emissions year-on-year in order to be
able to trade and make money out of the scheme. the overall allowance of
all participants is declining over time so that ensures movement towards a
less polluted world.

Finally, six sigma, lean thinking, balanced scorecards and other business
tools aren't fads or bad for organizations.  All have their positive
purpose and value. None of them is a panacea.  I see my role as someone
who has worked in this area to bring the old deficit-focused tools to have
a more strength-based focus.  You can still use lean tools if you look for
where value is created (rather than where it is wasted) and six sigma
tools to analyze root causes of quality and perfect outcomes (instead of
defects).  We should also encourage business schools to teach AI IN
ADDITION to the current curriculum which is focused on profit and cash
flow. Then we can actually start the change we want to see.

David Shaked.