Changing How We do Business by Focusing on Collaboration and Creativity EP: 43

His first visit as a guest discussing 'how to scale the new shared economy' was so well received, Laura welcomes Joel Hodroff back. In this episode, they expand their conversation to dig into what collaboration and creativity as a foundational principle in business could mean for our economy. Joel explains how even though millions of people lost their jobs in the 2008 downturn – and there will likely be similar statistics associated with our current situation with COVID-19 related effects – we didn't actually lose our creativity, skill, expertise, or wealth. It all doesn't just disappear when the economy takes a nose-dive. It's a matter of how we frame it, think about it, and live into it. With that in mind, he poses the question: What if competition was about the health and well-being of our communities and planet, rather than the idea that we must "crush" others in business who offer the same products or services we do? Laura introduces a business simulation game – FreshBiz – she facilitates with some of her clients. It's designed to bring out the paradigms we operate from in how we approach life and business, how we think of and use (or hoard) our resources, and how there is more opportunity for wealth, growth, success, creativity, and collaboration than we imagine. The two discuss ideas around cooperation in business, retooling ourselves to take on new kinds of work when our current skills are no longer in demand, how to distribute workloads more realistically and lower worker stress, and create healthier, more sustainable systems that allow us to build healthy communities, deeper relationships, and enjoy higher levels of creativity and innovation. There's so much depth in this conversation, it's hard to give you just a taste. Eavesdrop on this one and let us know what new ideas you have! Joel's Bio Joel Hodroff believes that emerging business models based on cooperation and sustainability have the power to solve our most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. He asserts that win-lose competition over money—which modern society inherited from an era of scarcity—is now impeding greater economic security and increased happiness for individuals, families, and communities in the US and around the world. Consider that today's oftentimes stressful workplaces, schools, and community organizations can become organizing centers for personal growth and healing, social innovation, and sustainable community economic development.  In 1997, Joel was issued a US patent for his novel dual currency pricing, accounting, and transaction settlement system. The system was designed to reward socially valuable activities such as community volunteerism, youth academic performance, unpaid domestic labor, and so forth. The systems stretch dollars (or other national currencies) utilizing a Business-Community Wealth Accounting Protocol to turn underutilized business capacity—such as empty restaurant tables, empty college desks, and off hours at the movies—into new economic resources for healthier families and communities.  Joel has been a social entrepreneur and environmentalist for over 30 years, launching Solar Consultants, Inc., in 1983; Dual Currency Systems in 1993; and cofounding Responsible Minnesota Business in 1998. He was a Minnesota Finance and Commerce Innovator of the Year in 2005 and a Visa Thought Leader / Innovation Provocateur in 2007.  Joel has stayed the course with his economic vision for over 25 years through every imaginable entrepreneurial near miss, wrong turn, and outright failure! He is currently playing for (and praying for) what is termed "a 25-year overnight success story." Joel's personal mission is the pursuit of unlimited human potential through unconditional love in community. He believes that the profit motive can be harnessed for the good of humanity and the natural environment.  To learn more, please check out Joel's dual currency white paper (written just before the 2008 mortgage industry meltdown) Sustainable Prosperity Now! Awakening a Green Revolution of the Heart http://www.dualcurrency.com/Awakening.pdf and/or reach out through his LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelhodroff/ Joel can also be reached at: [email protected] More: Your Money or Your Life (book) Walden Two (book) Stranger in a Strange Land (book)  FreshBiz Game The Weekly – NYC Taxi Medallions The Weekly – GM Leaves Lordstown