The circular economy: a final breakthrough?

We are in an era of a change of ‘zeitgeist’ instead of a ‘zeitgeist’ of change. This means that the biggest transformation we see is one in awareness. It is not only about financial growth anymore but we have to focus more in the rise of a meaningful society supported by a social economic system. We make the transition where the economy supports society instead of society supporting the economy.

Organisations must become resilient. In other words they have to preserve (at this moment) the old model but at the same time they have to reinvent themselves. This to make finally the old model and system obsolete. This is possible by excelling in a few things.

1. Be extremely sensitive for developments outside the company’s playing field

2. Excel in flexibility;

3. Be able to reinvent yourself;

4. Think and act over the organizational borders

5. Work from a shared vision.

Circular economy Besides resilience we see the rise of the circular economy. Companies will be only successful in the future when they give back to society and our planet what they take from it. So the linear way of production will no longer be accepted by society. But the circular economy is not only about organizations and production. It also redefines the way we consume.

Our way of producing and consuming is still mainly linear. We take more from our planet than we give back. This is not sustainable. Society becomes increasingly aware that we have to change our way of living, our system and institutions. So the most important reset we see is a reset in social awareness. Maybe the Maya’s were right. It is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new world. The trend of a change in awareness is being fueled by a (financial) crisis, more connectivity between people and a world, which becomes more transparent.

When we look at organizations we see that many of today’s successful ones have become big by doing wrong. In other words: they have taken from society and earth and made a lot of profit and growth but never gave anything back to society. This way of working and organizational participation within society will no longer be accepted. The one-dimensional ‘I-thinking and acting” becomes the multilevel ‘We-thing and acting”. In others words: ‘we’ is the new ‘me’ and ‘media’ becomes ‘wedia’.

The meaningful economy is also a important aspect of the rise of a circular world. A world where it is all about access and not possession.

The power and future of combining

Nowadays we hear a lot about ‘abundance’ and how technology will solve all of our problems. Of course we see the endless possiblities of technology but in my opinion we must not trust that technology will solve all off our problems. We have to make a combination of a change in mindset, systems (like financial, economic and about growth) and of course the possibilities of technology. When we do this the future will be bright. So it is all about the combination instead of purely hoping technology will help us out. That is the most dangerous mindset we can have right now.

An era of opportunities

We are living in a fantastic era of opportunities. But what are we doing with our precious time? Are we making the past more efficient or are we preparing for a new world and building this new world? When I look at many companies they are still putting money, time and knowledge in making the old world more efficient. But this is not sustainable. The biggest question is if we can make the transition towards the circular world fast enough? Time will tell! I think finally we will do but it will not be easy but again it will be fascinating.