Right now I’m reading “Valuing the Unique: The Economics of Singularities”, by Lucien Karpik. Actually I’m reading the translation by Nora Scott.
(Side note: It’s very dry and I have yet to determine if Karpik is too mired in academia to be a good writer, or if Scott is just a really bad writer and, as a result a poor choice of translator for this book).
Anyway, in laying out the premise for his argument, Karpik cites various works and thoughts dealing with inalienable goods, which got me thinking (usually a good sign with a book, but getting there is so painful!): Do our thoughts about basic economics need to reviewed, possibly revised, in today’s “new economy" where, to paraphrase Marx, anything and everything can be bought and sold... and on eBay, yet!??
Under our current definition, inalienable goods are items that can neither be bought nor sold ... or would seriously lose their intrinsic value if subject of a commercial transaction. Think about – could you really sell the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower or Sudbury Big Nickle?
Also, inalienable goods may have symbolic and economic power that cannot be transferred. This group of objects can also include items used to authenticate corporate and governmental rituals (think “black rod” and the opening of the British House of Commons and the Canadian Senate, etc.)
The purest example can be found in an anthropological study. Annette Weiner made headlines (okay academic headlines, in any event) with her work with the Trobriand Islanders.* One of her observations is that when an islander gives a gift, there is a special significance that is transferred with the gift that reflects the bond between the giver and the recipient. In the purest sense, this type of gift is a true Inalienable good. We cannot give our friendship and relationships with others to a third party.
Nor can we give or sell our own health and longevity to other people. Although we cannot transfer our entire physique to someone else, we can give them body parts. Body parts used to be considered inalienable goods (and probably still should), but look at the markets (not all black) that exist for viable hearts, kidneys, livers and other organs.
Which is only one of many changes that has me wondering about the possible need to re-evaluate how we view inalienable goods.
In some economies, inalienable goods have been treated for some time now the same as any other kind of products or service (with some rather interesting marketing gambits as part of this new perspective). It stands to reason, therefore, that these items should be subject to the same economics laws/ truths as any item used in an exchange... and that they should have similar abilities to impact their local economies.
This line of thinking had my fingers bugging Google for information (kind of ironic given my last two posts). In the course of my searching, I came across an interesting article on the topic that not only discusses this very concept, but talks about greater material consumption leading to less inner fulfillment (though that’s hardly a new concept, I realize). The article can be found at: http://bit.ly/g9jlAW.
I hope you enjoy the article – and I’d love to hear you thoughts on the matter as I further ponder the question!
*P.S. These islands are located off the east coast of Papua, New Guinea and are actually officially called the Kiriwina Islands.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Anticipate the Need for Information
Yesterday I talked about the need to be well-informed about your industry and the overall business environment if you want to get ahead.
What I did not say then is that you also need to anticipate the need for information... and go out and get it. The people who get promoted the fastest, and do the best job of leading their companies, are those who are able to assess what will need to be done tomorrow... and then figure out how to get the job done in the most expeditious manner possible. Often this will include getting updates about internal capabilities and/or gathering market intelligence of some kind.
Once you find out what you need to know, share it generously and graciously (in writing, of course).
It is also important to share information about what the company is doing and where it is going with colleagues and employees. People can tell when change is in the air, and in the absence of information from the company, employees will create their own. This can lead to false rumours and loss of morale.
So bottom line: Keep abreast of what is going on and spread the knowledge wealth!
What I did not say then is that you also need to anticipate the need for information... and go out and get it. The people who get promoted the fastest, and do the best job of leading their companies, are those who are able to assess what will need to be done tomorrow... and then figure out how to get the job done in the most expeditious manner possible. Often this will include getting updates about internal capabilities and/or gathering market intelligence of some kind.
Once you find out what you need to know, share it generously and graciously (in writing, of course).
It is also important to share information about what the company is doing and where it is going with colleagues and employees. People can tell when change is in the air, and in the absence of information from the company, employees will create their own. This can lead to false rumours and loss of morale.
So bottom line: Keep abreast of what is going on and spread the knowledge wealth!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Getting Ahead – The First in a Series
The questions I am asked the most often: How can I get promoted quickly at work? How can I get noticed in my profession? How can I position my company for success?
In reality, they are all the same question: “How can I get ahead?” or “How can I gain a competitive advantage?”
No matter what the audience, my advice is always the same: Read. Learn. Think. Apply.
To be viewed as being at the top of your game, one of the habits you must adopt is to learn something about what is going on in the world around you each and every day. If you spend 40 – 50 minutes a day reading (less time than most people spend in front of the TV, checking out Facebook or net surfing), you will soon be more knowledgeable than most of your peers. And more valuable to your company or a prospective employer, no matter what your position.
The three things you need to read:
1) Read your local business press to keep abreast of what is going on in the business community at large – you never know when breaking news in one industry will impact yours, or will fuel ideas applicable to your own. Depending on where you live, suggestions include: The Globe & Mail’s ROB, The National Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, etc. Online news services are also valuable tools.
2) To gain insight on the macro business environment, read The Economist, Time Magazine, Inc Magazine, Profit, Forbes, Fortune, Working Knowledge (Harvard Business) etc. Remember though, much of this content is editorial; add your own perspective to the mix, too.
3) Subscribe to trade publications and journals in your own industry/ vertical as well as those industries which impact yours. Even 15 minutes a day learning about developments in your own industry will help make you an authority in your field within 18 months.
Information has always been king, but today, with it so easy to look up needed data, you need to take it one step further.
Keep a journal highlighting your key findings and your thoughts about how or why that info might be useful. Download the file to your mobile device so you always have it with you. That way you can update your notes with info you acquire while out and about... and you never know when a quick peek will make you look like a hero in a meeting!
From time to time, spend 5 – 10 minutes and review what you’ve noted and reflect on how you might apply the knowledge in your own company. Can you offer a suggestion to help with business development, to improve something where you work, etc. If you come up with a great idea, having the info and memo-worthy notes and thoughts at your fingertips will make it easier for you to put your ideas in writing.
For more tips to help you get into the top ten percent, read “Standing out in the Crowd…by getting lady luck on your side” at http://www.theqgroup.com/articles-b.php?ArtID=6.
Until the next time, have fun and remember: “You must be prepared to go out on a limb because that is where the fruit is!” Jane-Michèle
In reality, they are all the same question: “How can I get ahead?” or “How can I gain a competitive advantage?”
No matter what the audience, my advice is always the same: Read. Learn. Think. Apply.
To be viewed as being at the top of your game, one of the habits you must adopt is to learn something about what is going on in the world around you each and every day. If you spend 40 – 50 minutes a day reading (less time than most people spend in front of the TV, checking out Facebook or net surfing), you will soon be more knowledgeable than most of your peers. And more valuable to your company or a prospective employer, no matter what your position.
The three things you need to read:
1) Read your local business press to keep abreast of what is going on in the business community at large – you never know when breaking news in one industry will impact yours, or will fuel ideas applicable to your own. Depending on where you live, suggestions include: The Globe & Mail’s ROB, The National Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, etc. Online news services are also valuable tools.
2) To gain insight on the macro business environment, read The Economist, Time Magazine, Inc Magazine, Profit, Forbes, Fortune, Working Knowledge (Harvard Business) etc. Remember though, much of this content is editorial; add your own perspective to the mix, too.
3) Subscribe to trade publications and journals in your own industry/ vertical as well as those industries which impact yours. Even 15 minutes a day learning about developments in your own industry will help make you an authority in your field within 18 months.
Information has always been king, but today, with it so easy to look up needed data, you need to take it one step further.
Keep a journal highlighting your key findings and your thoughts about how or why that info might be useful. Download the file to your mobile device so you always have it with you. That way you can update your notes with info you acquire while out and about... and you never know when a quick peek will make you look like a hero in a meeting!
From time to time, spend 5 – 10 minutes and review what you’ve noted and reflect on how you might apply the knowledge in your own company. Can you offer a suggestion to help with business development, to improve something where you work, etc. If you come up with a great idea, having the info and memo-worthy notes and thoughts at your fingertips will make it easier for you to put your ideas in writing.
For more tips to help you get into the top ten percent, read “Standing out in the Crowd…by getting lady luck on your side” at http://www.theqgroup.com/articles-b.php?ArtID=6.
Until the next time, have fun and remember: “You must be prepared to go out on a limb because that is where the fruit is!” Jane-Michèle
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