A4B Notes: June 2010

A lot has changed even since August 2008. We are all trying to get a handle on the economy and are wondering where it is going. Wherever that is, there are profound effects on our clients, our business partners and our consultants. And that is likely to continue. We offer this perspective.

The economy is not “correcting”, it is shifting.

We are coming to terms as a global community with many of the basic contradictions in our old

economic game. We are shifting values toward that which we now determine to be of value. It may be too early to settle on what materials or

services will ultimately become the staples for a new set of economic drivers, but

’d suggest those that compliment the principles of

community

collaboration

teamwork

and

respect

will win out over fierce, win-lose competitiveness, the hoarding of knowledge, and a get-

ahead-at-all-costs-and-damn-the-impact approach.

’d also expect that governments will be tinkering with what role they can play and new,

more collaborative models will be offered in many areas of our lives.

A peaceful shift is possible.

Much of the old is on its way out and new ideas, solutions and paradigms are coming forth. There is a marked

difference between the thinking of the generation under 30 from that over 40, in general terms, but new parent-like bonds are being formed to

bring the 60+ crow

in line with the thinking of the youth in many ways. Additionally, countries and economies are shifting power bases and the

gap between rich and poor countries is normalizing through the force of the Flat World. Traditionally, changes such as these have been times for

conflict and protectionism as we shift to a view of a limited pie. However,

see signs of a maturity that would suggest this revolution might

remain simply a rapid evolution and negotiation and understanding might win the day.

pledge from our team

At Answers 4 Business, we have been focused on delivering value – true value as it is defined and perceived by our

customer – for the duration of our 7+ - year existence. We have always paid attention to both monetary and non-monetary value drivers and will

continue to do so. As this shift takes place, we commit to:

sharpen our focus on the economic equation of our work in order to ensure our services remain affordable and deliver substantial payback;
providing leading perspective and access to wisdom in order that our customers can align their businesses well to new economic environments and more readily adapt to change and;
delivering trusted solutions with the utmost in integrity.