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by Bryce McDougall
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"The approaching zeitgeist makes now an awfully exciting time to be alive"
"Humans created the problems we face, therefore humans can solve them"
"A corporation is traditionally an entity that exists for one primary reason, to make money. What if the primary reason for being in business were to make the world a better place?"
"the two most pressing issues facing humanity are environmental degradation and the widening gap between the rich and poor"
"I believe humanity is ready to become wise"
"The dictionary definition of greed is the quality of wanting more than ones share"
"Perhaps looking out for one another is more important than looking out for oneself"
"The values ‘for profit’ businesses thrive upon have infiltrated all aspects of society right across the globe"
"I believe there’s a greater fulfillment available to all of us"
"There are root problems facing humanity globally that when addressed, will over time automatically solve many of the resulting problems we see in our day-to-day lives"
"By 'not for profit' I mean 'not for the profit of individuals'"
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I will post various emails here (after seeking permission) that may answers some of your own questions:
September 8, 2009 - A person I have worked with in the past recently finished The Too Hard Basket. Here is his email, followed by my response.
Well it took a while, today however I finished 'The Too Hard Basket'
What a wonderful and beautiful person you truly are! Im inspired by your thoughts and comforted that there are people out in the world pro-actively trying to change a trend that is in desperate need of modification. Your motivation is pure and good, and I have nothing but support for your Endeavors.
I feel your motivation is part of a larger 'collective consciousness' that will inevitably introduce a much needed change to a suffocating world. I encourage you to never give up despite seemingly impossible circumstances! Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. ...
Unfortunately my capacity to assist you in the becoming of the first NFPOI is limited. I simply dont have the capital/capacity to make your dream a reality. I will however do what I can, and make a small donation, and offer your this - Once you have established the first NFPOI, I would love to work for your cause.. or shall I say 'our cause', inevitably it is the cause of all mankind, it seems at this point in time however, that most people are blinded by the 'reality' we live in and are unable to realise this... I have no doubt however, in time this will change, I feel it has already begun.
Thank you for your dedication Bryce, You are brave and wise beyond this day of age, don't be disheartened, change like this takes time. We may not in fact even see any real progress in our life times, rest assured however, I believe thought travels beyond the limits of one lifetime, and in no way do I think any of your time and effort will go to waste.
Your only limited by the size of your dreams... Thank God you have the courage to dream big!
Dear Mount Colah Man
Thank you thank you for your words. I won’t say there were tears, but I did ‘well up’ a bit as I read because you brought some comfort. It’s at times a lonely drum I’m tapping away at, but I’m hopeful, as you say, in different words, that more people will become accustomed to the rhythm. I already sense a few toes tapping, from people like you, who think it might be a song they’re going to like. As you elude, it may not be a hit, but then again it could go number one.
Thank you for your contribution, every little bit helps. Your donation may provide free books to a handful of people who might find it helpful, it might afford me time to discuss stuff one on one with a person who needs some help, or at the very least it will simply contribute to my expenses, which are for the time being way in excess of income. Irrespective, thank you again.
As far as you willingness to come on board, and work for ‘our cause’ as opposed to ‘Bryce’s cause’, you certainly know all the right things to say. Any person that thinks it’s my cause has completely the wrong picture. I will have no hesitation providing you employment when funding arrives, assuming we can find an area where you can excel, which I’m certain we can. Stay tuned, you’re already near the top of the list.
3 paragraphs edited out
Kindest regards
Bryce
June 30, 2009 – Last summer I was at a remote island lookout in Tasmania and briefly encountered a lovely lady visiting from Belgium. In our brief discussion we touched on a lot, and I ended up forwarding her a copy of The Too Hard Basket. She is highly qualified and an intelligent woman. I asked for her opinion on a few matters that were concerning me. Following is my list of questions with her answers inserted directly from her email:
Bryce - Hope all's well with you Linda. Quick note to check you received my book, and wondered if you'd be good enough to provide some feedback. At some point I will re-release and I'd like to know why it has not been more popular.
Linda - Dear Bryce, thank you for your mails. I’ve read your book and found it inspiring. It inspired me to make more ‘ethical and moral choices’ in how I’m living my life. I left it in a waiting place at a hospital, with a note that it was there to take and to pass it on.
Bryce - Does it appear too simplistic?
Linda - No, it didn’t appear too simplistic.
Bryce - Does what I propose simply seem idealistic and impossible?
Linda - Yes, what you propose is idealistic, however not impossible.
Bryce - Does it sound weird when I share my personal financial details?
Linda - It seems OK to me to share personal financial details.
Bryce - Does it seem impossible to challenge big business?
Linda - Yes, it seems rather impossible to challenge big business, I think the only way you can do this, is to address the right people in those businesses. And in addressing these people, they need to be addressed in their personal ‘issues, choices and theme’s’. It seems feasible to me to create a business where everybody is paid (about) the same salary.
Bryce - Do I personally appear to be deluded?
Linda - No, you don’t appear to be deluded, not at all. You appear to be intelligent and well-thinking.
Bryce - Do I appear to be out of touch with reality?
Linda - If you are out of touch with reality: well… most people have a different view to the so-called reality. Your view is as ‘real’ as many other frame of references; you’re inviting people with power and money to let go of that, and this might be very scary for people who’ve invested so much in getting all of that. Deep in our heart we’re all looking for security, and many people are ‘finding’ that in money and power. Only when people have found a secure base in them selves, might they respond in a positive way to your suggestions. That’s the reason why I choose to be a therapist: because I believe that we make a better world by helping people individually to be happy with who they are.
Bryce - As a European, is your slant on things likely to be quite different than those of readers from Australia and North America?
Linda - I don’t know if the European view is so different from others.
Linda - I really wish you all the best. I might appear to be a bit ‘short’ and that’s because I have so many things to do in far too little time. I hope these answers will be useful in your project. Warmly, Linda.
I found Linda’s feedback highly encouraging, not just because she wasn’t especially critical, but rather because of what she said in her first sentence “I’ve read your book and found it inspiring. It inspired me to make more ‘ethical and moral choices’ in how I’m living my life”.
The aim of The Too Hard Basket is to get us to weigh up what we’re doing, and why we’re doing it. If what we’re doing is not contributing to our ultimate fulfilment, surely it’s not contributing to us finding fulfilment on the journey to get there either. The Too Hard Basket asks us to think of things a bit more simply and fundamentally, to find new and better ways to do things, and to get out of the rut we’re in. It does involve change, and the change starts with us. That Linda was inspired, and as a result is looking for more ethical and moral ways of living, I find enormously encouraging.
Thanks again Linda if you happen to re-read this.
Received Jun 6, 2009 - I only just responded today Jul 10. Melanie was happy for me to upload her email to the site, my response follows:
Hi Bryce,
I just read your 'The Too Hard Basket' book and you have filled my head with possibilities, thoughts and questions.
Recently reading a locally (Melbourne) written book called ‘Guts – All It Takes to Succeed in Business & Life’ I was inspired to find out that some employers are starting to think more about their impact on their employees and the environment; however the success the author spoke of was still in essence measured by self serving capitalism and dollars.
Trying to escape from adding to what, like you, I see as the problem with the world today, I recently starting working for a well-known Charity Organization. Although I am now contributing more positively to society, I wondered if I had reached the pinnacle to make a difference to the world with my career choices and was saddened to think that very few people even have the opportunity that I am now experiencing. Also, I experience feelings of guilt still, as the over 200 ‘staff’ that I manage are all volunteers, as where I receive wages that I can live off - this does not seem ‘fair’ to me.
My husband & I have long wondered and discussed if there could be a solution to greedy capitalism and unjust wages for hardworking, yet less educated, intelligent or fortunate employees. Your NFPOI model may be that solution.
I have always put in 100% effort in no matter what job I undertook, from housecleaner, checkout operator to now retail operations management and felt that each job was as important as the next, but I am uncertain that many others think this way? As much as I applaud you for your idea and hard work in attempting to make your idea a reality, I am somewhat pessimistic about how many people with the required skills will agree with us. You certainly have the ‘guts’ that the aforementioned book spoke about but I hope I am wrong in thinking it is too good to be true.
It would be easy to involve myself in one of your businesses as it would increase my wage, therefore I would have no pressure from family or friends to do otherwise, yet how many people with required business leadership skills would actually go from wages around $150,000 to $83,200?
I am also very interested in the topic, as brought up by Luke (email on your website), discussing how most businesses could not sustain the $83,200 wage that you are proposing. I noticed in your answer that you simply state that not all businesses could be viable, yet I disagree. I do not understand why employees across all industries – particularly lower income industries such as retail could not benefit from your raw idea. There would be many clever and passionate small retail business owners that would love to follow your model if only you loosened your idea about average wage. Us retail managers see $83,200 as a ludicrously high wage - not average.
An idea to solve Luke’s question may be to, during business plan stage, assess all inevitable staff positions from head managers right down to cleaners and assign what each position would ‘normally’ make in that sort of industry or privately owned business then divide to find the individual business average pay. This way retailers average for example may only be around $65,000 and it would allow industries like Luke’s & mine to participate.
As like I’m sure you have done with the construction business, but to a far greater depth, I have played around with costs and benefits to a retail business and the employees and here is how I see it working:
Basic business plan example of a small retail sales shop:
Only 3 staff require in initial stages – all high up – eg. Director and Manager and 1 X senior sales. Within 3 years business hopes to operate with – Director, store manager, 3 senior sales staff, 3 junior sales staff & 1 admin/accounts and a cleaner. So pretending this is a normal profit business this is what each staff position would be paid:
Director: $120,000
Manager $85,000
Senior Sales $55,000
Junior Sales $45,000
Accounts/Admin $50,000
Cleaner $40,000
Average Wage by Position Types $65,830
$65,830 would become everyone’s wage and may be assessed annually in line with industry averages going up.
This is highly affordable whilst starting up with a small team – then when the business starts to do well and wants to put on - more normally lower paid staff e.g 4 more sales team it can do so gradually and comfortably:
For example:
First Year – 3 staff
Director, Manager and 1 Senior Sales Person operating the store
• Actual Wages (using average industry model) $197,490
• Saving of $62,510
Second Year – 5 staff
Also hire an Accounts/Admin person & a junior sales person
• Actual Wages (using average industry model) $329,150
• Saving of $25,850
Third Year – 10 Staff
Hire 4 more sales staff (2 senior & 2 junior) and a cleaner
• Actual Wages (using average industry model) $658,300
• Extra Cost $63,300
This ongoing and perhaps annually increasing ‘extra cost’ of wages would be easily covered by the store sales income (no longer being used as owner profit), which should be quite high due to the excellent quality and dedication of all staff in the business.
Staff Benefits & Dedication
Why normally lower paid workers would still be inspired to do a great job despite no chance of wage increase -
• They are already earning more than expected and feel obliged to work hard
• They know that the bosses do not earn any more than them, therefore have great respect for them and want to please them.
• They know that if they do not work hard they will lose their job and the benefits that come with it.
• Have great pride in being some of the highest paid in their position for that industry.
• They experience no competition or jealousy within the staff and have high staff morale within the team.
• Work with likeminded passionate individuals.
• They have pride in their part in looking after the environment & community – very rewarding work (even if you are selling shoes for example!)
• Would feel like a valuable & valued part of the business – would want peers to keep this opinion of them.
• ALL ABOVE = Better quality of life
Why Normally Higher paid workers – (Director, Managers) would be inspired to remain doing a lower paid job for a NFPOI
• Would be Directing / Managing an easier to succeed business model therefore less stress.
• and more likely less hours worked (that could be 45hrs a week rather than 65hrs – common to small business owners). Therefore more time for family, friends & holidays.
• They would be managing happier, more competent and somewhat more self-managed employees (again less stress & easier job!)
• They would be able to enjoy project managing, ongoing improvement and expansion of the business, as all profits would be made available to do so.
• They would have pride in their part in looking after the environment & community.
• Would feel like a valuable & valued part of society –have bragging rights to friends and family
• Their staff would have and show great respect for them and each other
• ALL = Better quality of life
Sorry for re-listing all of your points from the book but it helped me make clear in my head the amazing possibilities of your idea. (Perhaps if you ever re-print you may consider a summary of benefits like this to really hit home why people would want to get involved). So despite my initial pessimism and confusion I am now really excited by the prospects. I would like you to consider my model of a different set NFPOI wage for each industry as I think opening up the possibilities to a greater range of business’ will help this revolution really come about and more quickly.
Yes, I understand that with my model not everyone would be the same wage as the next NFPOI business and many people would be on less than National Australian average wage. I know you said in your book that many friends have already brought this point up with you, but I think there is a good reason why.
With my variable NFPOI model, the wage still calculates well above what I comfortably currently live on (& I pay off a house in an Melbourne suburb) and well and truly above what some people earn but cannot live on (minimum wage). It is these people that are the really important ones to help and that is why we need to facilitate low paying industries to become fair wage models or NFPOIs – not just high earning industries like construction, finance, law etc.
I’d love to hear back your opinion about this. I intend to share my book around and encourage my husband and friends to buy, read and discuss all of this with me and I also intend to donate something to your cause, because if there is a slight chance that this actually works, my future kids will be the great winners.
Thanks for your time in reading this long-winded reply to your book & good luck with it all.
With respect,
Melanie
Dear Melanie
Thank you enormously for taking the time to share your views. It is fantastic to get feedback, especially thoughts like yours, which are clearly informed and well considered . Your depth of consideration is impressive. Nothing worse than putting ones ideas out there and not knowing either way how they've been received. Thanks.
My numbering corresponds to each of your paragraphs up to the eighth:
1 - Great
2 - I must get 'Guts - All It Takes to Succeed in Business & Life'. I'm not greatly surprised to hear that its ultimate measure of success seems to be the dollars, or self serving capitalism as you mentioned. I too find books about entrepreneurship and business inspiring, like 'Losing My Virginity' most recently. Even though such books are often written by self serving individuals, they often seem to be self serving individuals that would genuinely like to see the world a better place.
The seriously wealthy, and those aspiring for serous wealth, I believe, often do not realise that their greed, and their belief that they are entitled to more, effectively makes a huge contribution and influence to the very fabric of life, what we do, how we do it, what we live for. They set an example, which is aspired to by many. And in the process we adopt, or are adopted into a world, with values that ultimately do not serve us best. Everybody just thinks it's normal. As far as getting good ideas and inspiration from such books, I'm all for it.
3 - Good on you for making the decision to move into an area where you feel you are contributing more positively. I think I can imagine what it must be like to feel you have gone as far as you have gone with this particular organisation, and I am encouraged that you now want to move on, by the sound of it, to another organisation where even greater benefit or influence is brought to society. As far as your guilt, I'd be inclined to give yourself a pat on the back rather than feel guilt. Problems and less than ideal situations, will always exist, and they're never one persons fault. Never. If you're working towards solving them, feel good about what you are doing, not guilty about what you're not. If you feel guilty about what you're not doing surely you can never be satisfied, simply because you can never do everything that needs to be done. Please excuse me dishing the advice.
4 - What does your husband think and feel about all this? I'm delighted that you would even consider that my proposed model could possibly be part of a solution to some of our problems.
5 - I'd like to say I put 100% effort into all the jobs I do too. Many years ago I did, and I discovered very quickly that this made for a highly stressful existence. I realised about ten years into my working life that my expectations way exceeded those of my peers, and even by reducing them, by say 20 or 30%, they still remained higher than the status quo. Considering I have always worked for 'for profit' companies, I started asking myself why was I working so hard, and putting in so much extra effort, to make my employer wealthy. They always wanted me to work for as little as they could get away with paying me. I realised living and breathing work was not healthy in so many respects. By adjusting my work ethic I improved my quality of life and became a different person.
As far as finding people like you and I, that are passionate, and like to do our best, I think it can be done. Once funding is raised, the goals outlined, salary offered, then training implemented, I'm confident like mindedness wouldn't be a problem. There would be an enormous number of applicants for most positions, especially non qualified. From that pool the best talent could be sought. Loyalty, passion and hard work, would likely be forthcoming from most employees, assuming a sound selection criteria were adhered to in recruitment. But when these qualities weren't forthcoming, and couldn't be fostered, it would simply be a case of asking the individual to move on, as it is within any business.
6 - You may be right, those who can command $150,000 salaries may not be prepared to work for $83,200, however I think they could be found. Ideally they would be found from within the organisation, and trained up accordingly. What a weird concept that must sound like today, promoting from within on an ongoing basis! Where specific skill sets are required, e.g. doctors, lawyers, pilots, architects, engineers etc. such workers would have to be contracted to the specific business at their respective rates. Yes, difficult to attract people willing to take a reduction in salary, but not necessary initially anyway, I think that bridge has to be crossed when it is reached. The first businesses I am thinking of primarily require entrepreneurial skills, for which qualifications are not required, and in my view can't really be taught anyway.
7 - I agree that the model I'm proposing could not be applied in many businesses because of the salary of $83,200. And if a lower constant salary were adopted in different industries they could move to the model more quickly. However, this somewhat defeats the purpose of having a constant salary, if it is not constant. The purpose is so people are not in jobs because they will earn more in one job, or industry, than another. It's about getting the workers into the mindset of 'no persons contribution, or worthiness, is more valuable than another's.'
If it's an organisation I'm heading up, the salary has to be reduced, or increased, identically...for everyone, across all businesses, I think. Please refer back to the second section of the book, where money didn't exist in Idealistic Community. Because the financial measure of 'money' never evolved, the disparity in wealth could never develop, along with all the problems it brings.
One of the aims of NFPOIs is to start spreading everything more evenly. If there is any disparity in income those who are driven by their desire for more money will simply gravitate to those jobs or industries paying higher wages. The idea, through competition, is to start putting out of business not only those employers who are paying their staff too little, but those employers who paying their staff too much. It's about trying to find a salary that every person should be able to comfortably live on. I know it's radical, but I'm confident it's important.
If someone else wishes to adopt a near identical model for their own business, and simply make their constant salary less, there is nothing to stop them. And yes the lives of the people in that organisation would surely improve. I would not discourage others from heading down this path, in fact I'd be delighted to see them succeed. Ultimately though disparity in income will always lead to the problems that occurred in Realistic Community, for the reasons outlined in that section of the book.
If it were possible to pin down all income in Australia, and somehow accurately identify all capital gain and profit being accumulated by individuals and businesses, then divide that number by the number of all adults in our country, this would be the constant salary in a responsibility.com.au business. I'd guess the figure would be a lot higher than $83,200.
Have I picked a figure out of thin air to kick off with, yes I have.
8 - You make a valid point, and I agree it allows for viability earlier in plenty more businesses, perhaps a lower constant salary needs to be chosen. Consideration will be given to this if I can not get the model up and running as hoped. Who knows, perhaps you'll head off and get yourself started with a $65,000 constant salary and you can consider employing me. I might still be failing to get myself established thanks to the hours I need to work to service my mortgage. Is Bryce McDougall entrapped? I sure am. Should Bryce sell everything up and invest every last cent in this project? Yes I probably should.
From this point onward in your email your rough business plan statistics and bullet points of benefits make perfect sense and similarly reflect business plans I have written. The bullet points are especially similar to those I used whilst getting it all clear in my head. We're definitely on the same page.
I appreciate you relisting my points, bullet points definitely work better for some, and I'm entirely encouraged that my book helped you reach some of these conclusions. If your rejig has turned your pessimism and confusion to optimism and excitement, that's fantastic.
I will definitely give further consideration to your idea of different salary for different industries. Perhaps my ultimate vision could be moved to as years progressed, of bringing salaries fully into line.
So Melanie there's my response...finally. Again, huge apologies for the delay. The last few months haven't been that pleasant for me with the book not selling and the slap that has given me. I'd be very interested to hear what your friends thought about it all, if they're anything like mine it's likely to have been met with stony silence and you're now left wondering how you possibly thought the idea had merit in the first place. 'It isn't easy being green' sometimes.
I would love very much to meet you if at all possible to discuss our thinking further, if you're husband can avail himself too that would be even better. I am in Sydney and can travel inexpensively to anywhere in Australia thanks to the fact I'm working for an airline. I have up to six weeks off right now thanks to a Hernia operation last Tuesday.
Also, may I please publish your email and my response to the emails page of the responsibility website.
Look forward to hearing from you very much.
PS - If a reprint is considered I'll definitely request permission to use your bullet points :-)
Kind regards
Bryce
Received Jan 23, 2009 from a bookseller in rural Victoria who subsequently gave permission for me to put the following email up on the site
Hello Bryce,
My name is Luke and I manage a bookshop here in Victoria. I recently took two copies of your book and really didn't know what it was about.
So I was somewhat stunned to find this subversive little bomb in my shop biding its time to emerge and go off in my mind. I was really surprised to find such a profound thought sitting on my counter.
One of my customers has recently been ordering books by George Monbiot, a freelance writer in England who has tackled the big issues with annihilating rigour - Iraq and the lies, and as well the role of Big Business particularly in England. And it was in a mood of resignation and a lingering sense of despair that I encountered your manifesto.
It gave me some hope to think that I was not alone in how I was feeling about the state of the world and the future we faced. It also ties in well with my own small, personal revolution. My point with it is that many things are done in my name and they say for my sake that I want no part of at all. I don't want palm oil. We have lived without it for thousands of years and we don't need it now. But it is being made for me to put in my shampoo and many other things (it is indispensible, did you know) because I want it. To this end the rainforests of Borneo are being obliterated sanctioned by the Indonesian Government, to grow palm trees for this oil, and the orang-utan is on the verge of extinction because of the destruction of its habitat for my need for palm oil. Not bloody likely! And what really disgusts me is that they are doing this sort of thing all over the world in my name. Did anyone ask me???
So, when I saw what you were doing and intending I was very excited and relieved. Here was someone who cared enough to set out a plan for changing business. To me it is business that has the moral obligation to make good choices about its work practices, its sourcing of materials, and the packaging etc etc that is consumed. They would say that the customer demands it, but I reckon the customer has not been consulted to any great degree about it. (edited)
I have long had an affair with what I term "a passionate idea". Edward de Bono writes books on his passionate ideas, ideas that inspire, are very clever intelligent ideas, ones that improve life without making it more complicated. Their genius stems from the fact that not only will they work wonderfully, they will makes things less complicated, much simpler and easier. Why didn't we think of this before? we say.
For these reasons and more I like what you are doing very much. Thank you for standing up.
I only have one small issue - I don't understand it.
I don't understand what a business would do, what products or services it would be providing that would make it viable, in order to follow the model you set out. How would it generate the profit needed to sustain itself? What would make it so different apart from the kudos of its new ethics? Would that be enough to make all the difference?
As a retailer I like to think I delver pretty good customer service to my people. They are after all the life blood of the business and everything hangs on them. I consider my shop to be a part of the community, to provide a service to the people of the town, and I try to get them whatever they ask for, even if I get nothing out of it personally. In the end it all goes to the general perception of the shop in the town, how it fits in and offers them a service that is not available elsewhere. If nothing else I give them information on how to get what they want, and they like the attention they get.
But in my little store I cannot generate the profit to operate in the way you are proposing. It may be that what we are doing is not the sort of place and business that can do it. I am not sure.
But I would like to understand, if you had the time. I am not sure how much time you can spare...
I am pretty interested in being a part of this new wave, however. Much as I would like it, I am too caught up in the life I have here and its obligations to go and save orang-utans or baby elephants, and I have no skills to help poverty in Africa. But I think I would like to be part of this home-grown movement to make strong changes in how business affects the world. I would like to be part of it if there were a place.
Warmest congratulations on this passionate idea, and maybe I might hear from you.
Regards
Luke
Dear Luke
Thanks for your email . The media campaign does not start until mid Feb.
Thanks for heaping the praise, with such radical thinking my journey has at times been quite lonely and isolating; feedback like yours is highly encouraging. I live a relatively normal day to day life, yet carry a head full of controversial thoughts. When I explore my innermost thinking with others, from time to time, they quickly realise my mind considers some very different paradigms. I don't mind this, but it's difficult because I clearly see I'm considered quite delusional by some. I will prove these doubters wrong over time and they will wonder in decades why they thought my thinking was radical.
It sounds like we are similar in that we challenge the status quo, so I imagine you get the drift of what I mean about the lonely path of thinking differently. That said, I wouldn't have it any other way. I've never been one to go along with things that don't seem right. Was it the Dalai Lama that said, "Believe Nothing, No Matter Where You Read It, or Who Said It, No Matter If I Have Said It, Unless It Agrees with Your Own Reason and Your Own Common Sense"?
I'm intrigued by Monbiot's writing now and will do a little research on him. It saddens me to hear he left you in a mood of resignation. I think my work will have a depressing effect on some, whereas others, like you, might get a glimpse of a new way and feel quite excited. I'd hope for the latter from many, however, we're a pretty pessimistic bunch at times. So many books I've read over the years discuss problems, and so many writers are great at reporting facts, but who tackles the issues head on and then follows through with propositions that can actually be put in place? Less I'd suggest. People in general are too afraid to put radical thinking on the line for fear of what others will think, and fear that their idea might not work. I don't mind making a few mistakes along the way, and I certainly don't mind what people think of me, providing I find sufficient love from those close to me, which I do.
(edit)
Interesting you mention Palm Oil, I've got a National Geographic beside the bed (Nov 2008) I'm waiting to read, which looks like it's going to cover off quite comprehensively on this issue.
I'll also take a look at De Bono's writing, thanks.
On to your question, "I don't understand what a business would do, what products or services it would be providing that would make it viable, in order to follow the model you set out. How would it generate the profit needed to sustain itself? What would make it so different apart from the kudos of its new ethics? Would that be enough to make all the difference?"
If we were to look at the figures for any business and extract all profit and wages, then divide that total by the number of staff, if the figure were to come in above $83,200 it may be potentially viable for this model. Clearly many businesses would not be viable for this model initially, although in time this changes. When funding is secured, the first NFPOI I intend to get up and running will partly involve construction of competitively priced accommodation. The business plan written identifies there is well and truly enough income for all staff within this business to earn $83,200, and there will still be sufficient profit left for reinvestment, expansion and in turn creation of more jobs at the going rate.
The NFPOI's are not about the income, even though a lot of staff might earn more than they would elsewhere. The constant income is simply a figure that allows food to be put on the table, and provide some of the niceties life has to offer. In the spirit of The Too Hard Basket (pages 30 and 31 especially) employees will be encouraged to think away from money, and more about how they can contribute, not just in the business they are working, but just as importantly in their life. This would be in a similar manner to what you do in your business, you strive to contribute to making the world a slightly better place, quite often, simply because it's the right thing to do.
The training within the NFPOI's will be developed from the spirit of The Too Hard Basket and it will very much contribute to changing not just the work practices of the employees, rather their lives. The salary is inconsequential in the scheme of things, it's all about the contribution each will make. Those who are concerned about constant salaries will not fit the environment and will unlikely be selected for employment. The mission statement of responsibility.com.au businesses is ‘to strive to improve the quality of life for the greatest number of people, while reducing environmental impact’. Played out, the businesses will strive to be more environmentally friendly than their for profit competition. They will concurrently endeavour to ensure quality of life is improved for the greatest number of people, be they staff, customers, suppliers, whomever the businesses affect. They won't be perfect, they will simply be trying to be better than their for profit competition. This more contented and wiser workforce should provide better products and services, and as customers gravitate, the competition will be forced to change if they're going to retain their customer base.
Luke I love that you like what you read in The Too Hard Basket and I enormously appreciate that you are keen. When I am in a position to offer employment I will make contact with you for interview to see if you might be interested in whatever that position is. That could happen quickly, or it could be years away, sort of depends on the success of the manifesto and how quickly funding is secured. In the mean time I'd encourage you to continue to contribute trying to help others, as you do already. And if you have further ideas in the mean time, or would like any discussion, please don't hesitate to contact me, I'm a phone call away.
I now have a favour to ask, even though you asked for your email not to be posted, may I please do so? I can de-identify you if you wish, however I do not believe you have written anything that you should be embarrassed about. Happy to edit and forward for your possible approval. Your email was of great interest to me and may be to others too, and your questions are definitely going to be similar to those going through the minds of other readers.
Look forward to hearing back from you and hope you have a great weekend. Thanks again for the time, effort and thought you gave your email. Loved it.
Kind regards
Bryce
Received Oct 25, 2007 from the mother of the partner of a good girlfriend of mine
Dear Bryce
Many thanks for your email. My son’s beautiful partner gave me the information about your book. We have talked a lot about your work, and as a mother and grandmother, although I am concerned about the future, I am also an optimist and believe good wins over “Evil”. I believe with the deepening of spirituality and caring of so many people that the universe will flow again with beauty and peace.
However it still needs the input of like-minded people to help heal.
I like what I read about your ideas and the forthcoming book. I wish you well and will certainly pass on the information to my friends. I won’t wish you “good luck” you won’t need that, the book speaks for itself.
Warm regards
Patricia Howell
Received Oct 14, 2007 from an old work colleague
So nice to hear from you...And i have to say, Well done on your new venture. I will need to have a look at your web site and new mission in more detail, but Bryce, what i see from a quick glance it is wonderful. Good on you hey, so nice to see something like this.
I, along with my partner are on a mission ourselves at the moment, to have a positive impact on the world, as you are probably aware, it can be a little daunting, but looking what you have done has given me inspiration.
My project is in its infancy at the moment, it is an environmental project in Brazil, where my partner comes from, we will be moving over there in a year or two to get things underway, just slowly getting the cash together at the moment so we can get things started.
Anyway Mate, i will go and investigate your mission in more detail.
Well done.
Great to hear from you. I think there are so many of us embarking, or nearing 'readiness to embark', upon our missions. And that's how we're going to change the world. By all doing our little bits. It's simply about heading in a direction which benefits all, as opposed to a direction driven by self interest.
Funny that you mention Brazil, I just sent an email to a guy there this morning seeking assistance with my vision. I'm trying to raise money on a few fronts and expect success is going to be forthcoming soon. If you can advance purchase a book after you've read the website in detail that will help instil confidence in others too. And please, if you like what you read, start forwarding on one of the three PDF's at downloads.
So glad to hear you're on your mission. Tell me about your plans.
Warm regards
Bryce
Received Oct 3, 2007 from a Sydneysider
Hello bryce,
I have to say that I agree with every principle you propse! my degree in Economics from Sydney, in the fifties, just after the War, was staffed largely from the Philosophy Faculty, and was, ay heart, a study in the ethics of providing for the infinitely expanding population of the world in the face of its finite resources.
Alas, that attitude is long gone, and Economics is taken as synonymous with Capitalism, with no value judgements involved.
Alas, too, the hopeful "Paradise" experiments in Australia and South America in the last 100 years or so, went the same way, into internecine quarrels and then invasion by outsiders -- just as did Pythagoras' paradise three thousand years ago.
Sooner or later the money takes over, or jealousy, or, sadly, indolence and theft.
If you haven't noticed, I am infinitely depressed about it all, and guilty because I do have it better than so many people, on a Super that meets my modest expenses.
I'll keep your stuiff and order a copy with my next "paycheck".
GOOD ON YA!!!
Thank for your email. Wow, finding someone who agrees with every principal I propose would have to be a first. I know I will be seen by many as delusional. This has been one of the most difficult aspects of formulating all this over the last 9 years. What I'm proposing is so radical it will appear to many that I am out of touch with reality. So I can not tell you how encouraging your words were. Thank you. And I'd forgotten you had a degree in economics, and that gives me even more hope that your opinion is well founded.
Yeah the ways of the world have deteriorated just in my life time. We have more available to us than ever before, yet we have not become wise. Humanity has so much capability. I'm optimistic that I can make a difference, and even if just 1/1000th of my hopes are achieved, the world will be a slightly better place.
I'm 100% sure humanity is about to embark upon an age of dramatic positive social change. Funny isn't it, I'm thinking this just when everybody else thinks it's all going down the toilet. I see the precursors as well and truly present. It's simply up to like minded individuals to get the ball rolling in a different direction.
Thanks again for your support.
Please tell your friends. Share my ideas.
Warm regards
Bryce
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