Blog

Our Blog

In the blog of Theandb (definition of blog), we share with our readers the personal view and insights we have on developments in the technology sector. And as that is nowadays quite a broad sector, we set our eyes on many diferent topics and questions facing society. We also post entries on recent developments of Theandb as a company. For us, it is a part of an ongoing collaboration and communication with colleagues, clients and friends.

Network of philantrophic, for-profit companies

Since our early beginnings in 2004, we carried our sub-line "consultants of compassion" with us, eliciting a wide range of feedback from people who saw it for the first time. Across the board, people were curious. We decided that it is about time to pull the sub-line from the fringes to the centre of our company. Going forward, we will create Consultants Of CompassionTM. Several website-addresses will go alongside this new .

We know that we are not alone in our approaches. There are other small (and large) companies like us that wish to be for-profit but remain ethical and integer at the same time. Our goal will be to build a strong network of philantrophic, for-profit companies that will adhere to the same ethical guidelines and having similar approaches to conducting business.

Why do this? We want to make a positive difference (also see, "Can Corporations Save The World?") in this world. We want to be integral and open in what we do and how we operate. And we know this will set us apart from other consultant companies (more on intangible assets and standards in a later post). It is about time that we change the image of consultants back to what it should be; individuals with the will and drive to help and support others for the better.

Please do get in touch with us if this teaser sufficed to raise your interest. Getting signed-up now means that you can have a large influence in how we built Consultants Of CompassionTM and the code of conducts we will create.

Following, some bits and pieces from a research that Agnes made on the concept of the compassionate consultant.

  • Recognising a new energy in organisations: "More companies are recognising that the quality of communications in their organisations largely depends on the energy and values of its employees."

    "The trend towards cultural capital is highly dependent on values or business principles and some corporations are even beginning to recognise the "energy" or "spirit" that people bring to their work."
  • There are also parallels with our co-conspirator Howard Bloom who wants to "put the soul back into the machine": Richard Barrett (formerly with the World Bank), author of "Liberating the corporate soul: building a visionary organisation" and "A guide to liberating your soul" notes that we have been moving from the information age to an age of consciousness and cultural capital (see diagram).
    The fundamental shift is to values that support the common good. Corporations that cannot move beyond self-interest will find themselves struggling to survive," says Barrett in an interview, www.paraview.com.

  • "Two Canadian academics Val Kinjerski and Berna Skrypnek from the Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, in a paper called "Defining spirit at work: finding common ground" published in the Journal of Organizational Change Management... Authenticity is often described as "bringing your whole person to work." The authors also note that the spirit of the corporation is the mission, vision, principles and values of the organisation ".
    See also: Spirit at Work in the Research of Val Kinjerski

  • European Baha'i Business Forum: "People Inspiring Responsible Business"

    VISION: To enhance the well-being and prosperity of humankind.
    MISSION: To promote ethical values, personal virtues, and moral leadership in business as well as in organizations of social change.
    SEVEN CORE VALUES:

    • Ethical business practices
    • Social responsibility in business
    • Values-based leadership
    • Sustainable development
    • A new paradigm of work
    • Partnership of women and men in all fields of endeavour
    • Non-adversarial decision making through consultation
  • "...organisations learn only through individuals who learn. He [Peter M. Senge] says that when one does undertake and practice the discipline of personal mastery gradual changes take place and one begins to see more of our connectedness to the world, compassion, and commitment to the whole. This is important, as companies need to be reminded of their connectedness to the outside world, where their publics reside. "