Inspiring Your Authentic Week

Posted: 17 Nov 2008 02:14 AM CST

The big boom is over - now what?

From a mainstream media/political/business perspective recession is definitely a bad thing. But, is recession a bad thing from a global evolution perspective, an authentic business perspective or a spiritual athlete perspective?

From a global evolution perspective this particular recession is necessary.

There was a growing awareness that the model of business currently crunching, was out of date and no longer in touch with society. An awareness that society is moving to a different level where innovation is required and required to benefit wider society in a sustainable way.

It is difficult not to be persuaded by the innovation limiting idea "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". So while business was booming and the money was rolling in it was difficult to persuade people that their success was a problem.

This recession will be a clear out and will help us to shift society one step forwards towards more sustainable and authentic business practices.

The real looser through all of this has been societies trust in banks, in particular, and business in general. Rebuilding that trust is going to involve many businesses developing a level of integrity that they have never known.

The kind of integrity that authentic businesses enjoy.

Authentic businesses are likely to be somewhat protected from the worst effects of credit crunch and recession by the closeness of their relationships with their customers and their long term sustainable approach to profitability.

Charles Middleton the MD of Triodos Bank in the the UK spoke about this in a recent article in The Guardian.

Through the challenges of recession some conventional businesses leaders will decide that authenticity might be the way to rebuild trust and confidence in their business and their brand.

Authentic businesses generate their profit through the pursuit of a profound and positive purpose. Profit is required, but it is not the reason for being in business. Whatever the specific purpose is, it is a passion shared by customers and employees.

From a business perspective it generates tremendous customer loyalty and word of mouth recommendation. On average authentic businesses spend 80% less on marketing than their conventional counterparts.

Authentic businesses provide a platform for their staff to achieve their personal life purpose, because they share it with the business. So these businesses also enjoy high levels of motivation and loyalty from their staff.

Conventional businesses can become authentic by understanding and articulating their true purpose and then using that authentic purpose to redefine the brand and culture.

Spiritual athletes are those who proactively seek to open themselves up to their highest potential. They look for the greatest understanding and awareness of life and their role in it.

In the past spiritual athletes found it necessary to separate themselves from society as monks or hermits. Today I believe that it is necessary for spiritual athletes to participate fully in society. To pursue enlightenment within the everyday context of earning a living, having a family and being part of a community.

Spiritual athletes have a vital role in learning how society can move to the next level of peace and sustainability and practicing it within society. In business, in education, in government and in their own families.

Recession is another test for the spiritual athlete, challenging their resolve and their resourcefulness to continue their journey in more difficult times.

I would love to discuss these issues with you. Please comment here or e-mail me directly.

If you find these e-mails valuable and energising, you may like to contribute some energy to help me continue to write them. £5 per year seems like good value.

Take a look at my new Motivational Coaching web site at www.neilcrofts.com

With love

nx

Neil Crofts
Inspirer
authenticis
inspiration innovation motivation

+44 (0)7775 658534
neil@authenticis.com
www.authenticis.com