Grease is not the word. The word is antipreneur!
This is the word we have been lacking at NotanMBA…Antipreneurs are pro-business but anti BigCo. We are pro-competition but anti-conglomerate. We are keen on local, community-based businesses that are sustainable and lead to balance between work and home. Above all, we see a business landscape where people and self-organizing communities matter…
Yes, profits matter too. This is why they are called businesses. What we are doing is showing the world that businesses can be, as Jim Collins has rightfully argued, a source of good (and not evil) in the world. Think about Google’s famous slogan that it hangs over the door…’Don’t Be Evil.’ Traditional corporates love to make fun of this, and suggest that over time Google will become no different than all of the other BigCos that have foregone their idealism and become…yes, evil. I doubt it.
Antipreneurs of the World Unite!
Now that the Cold War is over, it is crystal clear that free enterprise, open markets, and competition have won the day. This should not be an excuse, however, for shortsighted and selfish aspirations to displace the best of humanity from the equation. At the end of the day, I think this is the battle ground for coworking, and for the myriad coworking hotspots around the world ( Le Bureau, Indy Hall, Citizen Space, Office Nomads, Launchpad Coworking, Sandbox Suites, Hat Factory, etc.).
The revolution starts here, with coworking….Why? How? It starts here because, in increasing numbers, independent entrepreneurs are capable of making a living without BigCo, without giving in to the temptation to be evil. Trust. Collaboration. Communication. Sustainability. Transparency. Technology. Network..and yes….Love.
I hate to say it to ye’olde crusty farts in denial…But the hippies shall inherit the earth.
Cheers-
The Butcher
My favorite part of this article? “Love”.
There is much love among these folks, and this kind of love is healthy for everyone… both professionally and emotionally.
i’ll be honest–i haven’t read much of your blog–yet. but i will. so here’s some hasty suggested reading (if you haven’t seen it already). lots of socially conscious leaders of inspirational businesses talking essentially about love: http://www.seventhgeneration.com/learn/inspiredprotagonist/inventing-future-management-part-1?source=email&utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image&utm_content=swarfield%40columbushouse.org&utm_campaign=7Gen+-+June+25+2008
i’ll be reading.
Love it! This is exactly how I look at entrepreneurship. I love building inspirational businesses but am definitely anti-the big corporate world. That is the beauty of co-working spaces. In a world where more and more mergers come and make working the same as being part of a big box store, coworking spaces let us all be the employees/entrepreneurs we want and transform the working world.
Thanks Felicity!
We just wrapped up InnovationCamp yesterday, which was yet another gathering of the tribe committed to the indy-business vision. Appreciate your comments, and I recently shared your story at Cubes with the folks at Le Bureau in London, and they were blown away. There are inspiring, like-minded people dialing into the revolution all over the world. Bandit and I will visit your space one day (hopefully soon).
Cheers