Nurturing the Human Spirit - The New Paradigm for Business Success

October 1998

With global stockmarkets falling in response to the flow on effects of the Asian crisis, and more business analysts predicting imminent global recession it is an opportune time to ask if there is a new paradigm for business success.  Since the early 1980’s, in particular, most business leaders have pursued success by concentrating on economically rational activities such as efficiency, productivity, financial prudence, cash flow improvement and cost cutting.  These activities have generally been in response to market forces with the rationale being an improvement in shareholder value and hence the flow on benefits of cheaper finance to fund more growth. 

However, this paradigm is reactive nature and is therefore forever at the mercy of the financial markets.  As the market goes up the company grows, when the market comes down the company ‘downsizes’ in response.  When an economic crisis, such as is now occurring, comes along, the first reaction of business leaders using this paradigm i…