Big Society, Big Schmociety or Big Scam?

I would love to get people's views on whether the UK government's latest initiative is truly going to benefit "society" - once again, terminology which, consciously or unconsciously, takes the individual out of the equation.

Here are a couple of relevant links from the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10680062
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t1896 (you will need to be able to access BBC iPlayer)

To start the ball rolling, personally I think it's obscene to ask one section of society to work for nothing, replacing many skilled and qualified people whilst there are still spotty 19 year olds earning squillions, pressing a button to move virtual cash around. We're all in it together, David...NOT!

BFA is now on Spruz

Due to Ning's revised pricing structure, BFA's main network site is at bfanon.spruz.com. Don't forget to pay us a visit there and join.

Resource Based Economy - a way to avoid financial failure?

"A Resource Based Economy is a paradigm shattering concept. The idea changes the focus of how society works on a fundamental level, causing a ripple of profound implications to permeate all of society. For many, removing the corruption of the monetary system is a logical step, which will manifest our innermost hopes and dreams, revealing a beautiful ideal world. Yet, much of the vision of a Resource Based Economy is in the future."

Read more...

Free Financial Management Resources

I've just seen this article on Mashable/Business which may be of use to anyone interested in finding ways back from financial problems.

"Web technology has revolutionized finance by making it easier than ever to monitor cash flow and track trends in your spending. Mint.com has been a leader in this realm for personal finance: its technology helps you track multiple accounts, analyze spending trends, and manage financial goals.

There isn’t a clear counterpart to Mint for businesses, though. That’s where inDinero, a Y-Combinator-funded startup, comes in.

inDinero is a web-based financial dashboard for small businesses. Like Mint, it aggregates financial data from bank accounts, investments, and other sources and places them in a simple, easy-to-navigate interface where you can quickly see your income, spending, recent activity, and your financial runway."

Read more...

Who wants to be a millionaire?

What happens when you earn or inherit a fortune, but it makes you feel empty inside? Meet three of the wealthy elite who are giving their money away in this article from the Guardian about Karl Rabeder, Sara Robin and Brian Burnie.

Read more...

And if you're not quite a millionaire and looking to de-stress on a low budget, there are some interesting free offers on fundraising.co.uk ranging from free time away to free cinema tickets

Should we be afraid, very afraid? US Debt & Inflation Documentary

'Meltup is a new documentary about how the U.S. economy is at the beginning stages of a currency crisis that will ultimately lead to hyperinflation.



The National Inflation Association is pleased to announce the release of 'Meltup', a new nearly one-hour documentary about how the U.S. economy is at the beginning stages of a currency crisis that will ultimately lead to hyperinflation.

NIA believes Meltup is the most important economic documentary ever produced in world history. The Second American Revolution has begun! Please share this documentary with all of your friends and family members!

Meltup features Gerald Celente, Peter Schiff, Ron Paul, Marc Faber, Jim Rogers, Tom Woods, and others. The documentary proves through facts and statistics how hyperinflation in the U.S. is now inevitable and how Americans could soon see the end of entitlement programs they have become dependent on to live and survive.

What is the purpose of Business in the 21C?

Having just come across a video from respected internet entrepreneur, John Reese, I found myself asking questions about the purpose of BUSINESS. 

If you have 15 minutes or so, please take a look at the video at OutsourceForce - $2/hour Power Formula (and no, it's not an affiliate link!)

If you do not have the time to watch it, as the name suggests, it deals with outsourcing as much as possible of your business in a global economy so that you have "little cheques going out but big cheques coming in".

John's analysis is entertaining (it's worth watching for his comparison of the Siegfried & Roy business model with that of Blue Man Group!) and informative.

John's formula emphasizes methods which have underpinned a system of global economic wealth rather than global economic health.

In the 21st century, I feel that business should be about finding ways to make the world fairer, more sustainable, more ethical, more socially responsible in a GLOBAL economy.  And as much as my mind cannot find fault with John's analysis, my heart has a problem with it.

With the current global economic situation being as precarious as it is, does the energy and innovation of business leaders, entrepreneurs and gurus need to be guided in new directions?  With the knowledge, hindsight and resources now available to look at problems and their solutions globally rather than unilaterally, I wonder whether there is the will to work towards a paradigm shift in attitudes...
* see Huffington Post review of The Zeitgeist Movement: Envisioning A Sustainable Future
* see Stephen Fry's post and comments about the UK 2010 election

* listen to Gary Hamel "ReManaging Management" on BBC World Service Global Business
-- "shareholders do not create wealth, employees create wealth"
-- "Apple has reinvented 4 different industries - music, retailing, computing & mobile phones.  Larry Ellison of Oracle said of Apple 'they seem to have the mind of engineers and the heart of artists'"

Leave your thoughts below whilst I'm gathering mine!