Out With The Old. In With The New.
Competition. Capitalism. Socialism. Nothing but conflict.
I don't like any of the above concepts. Instead, I like 'mutualism'. And I'm not the only one. The whole concept of the Internet is built along a 'mutualistic' model. So there's a big bunch of people out there who love 'mutualism', they just don't know it yet!
In fact, I also never knew that the word 'mutualism' exists. It was certainly not a word taught to me at Primary School. Or at High School. Or even at University.
And just in case you also never heard of this word during your illustrious career to date, let me refer you to the definition, as found in Wikipedia: "Mutualism is a (biological) interaction between two organisms, where each individual derives a fitness benefit, for example increased survivorship."
The African Principle Of 'Ubuntu'
I discovered the word 'mutualism' a couple of years ago, when I was editing a translation of a draft manuscript about African leadership principles. I was trying to find an English word to fully comprise the meaning of the Zulu word 'Ubuntu'. I failed. There is no such word in the three European/ish languages I know: English. German. Afrikaans. Our cultures do not have a word for this concept. Only a phrase. In English 'Ubuntu' means: 'I am. Because we are.' Or 'A human being is not in existence without other human beings.' In his fascinating book, 'Being Afrikan' Zimbabwean Professor Mandivamba Rukuni explains this concept in greater detail.
Living among and learning from people with an African culture has really helped me to see beyond the material world. In Western culture, time and money seem to matter most. In African culture, relationships are paramount. Time and wealth come and go, but the relationship with other people is the one thing that truly matters over time and beyond wealth.
That is how I explain the fact that in all African languages there is a word like 'Ubuntu'. A word that beautifully resounds with the values entrenched in mutualism.
A Necessary Change of View
Why am I going on about this word, mutualism? In a blog about business?
Because part of the shift that I see is a necessary shift away from outright competition between businesses towards a mutualistic approach to doing business along the value chain.
Competition is all about winning. The same applies to Mutualism. But in Capitalism, the Winner Takes It All. Mutualism is about not giving up, until you've found a Win-Win solution for everyone involved. Socialism - not the concept, but the practice - seems to be the least appealing to human nature. Here the winner needs to share the winnings with the losers. And all motivation goes out of the door!
Yes, I completely agree that special effort and commitment should be rewarded specially. Both in Sport as in Business, for instance. But maybe there should also be more prizes awarded to individuals who show special effort and commitment to pulling or pushing up others, instead of concentrating all their energy on their own self.
Big Guys vs Little Guys
When it comes to business, the principle of Mutualism really gets me excited. I see the big guys working through the little guys, not crushing them. Take retail for instance. Supermarkets. WallMart has perfected the art of logistics and distribution - pushing down the costs of goods to all of our satisfaction. Mr Smiths Grocer has been pushed out of the way. Competition in action. Economic sense.
But, what if, there is more sense than simply economic?
Here's my 'mutualistic' model: WallMart uses its fantastic logistics and distribution system and buying power to supply Mr Smith with the dry goods range, Mr Brown with the dairy products, Mr Green with the fresh fruit and vegetables. Maybe they're all under one roof. Maybe they're in the same street. And everyone shares a single pay-point system. Idealistic? Maybe. Maybe not. Take another scenario: Mr WallMart is wondering how to compete with home deliveries, because people may prefer ordering their groceries online. So maybe Mr Smith, Mr Brown and Mr Green don't have a building anymore. Instead, they're driving delivery vans. What do I know?
All I'm saying is that mutualism can work for both the big guys and the little guys. The automobile industry has been working with a mutualistic model for years now. That is where concepts like 'JIT' and 'JIS' come from, after all. Just in Time (JIT) and Just in Sequence (JIS): All the little guys deliver the various parts of the jigsaw puzzle that the automobile manufacturer puts together, JIT and JIS. And there the car drives out of the door!
A Cutting-Edge Approach
These are just some examples of mutualism. A cutting-edge approach to business in the 21st Century.
Basically it boils down to one simple principle: The more you give the more you get. Generosity in business is an attitude. Helping others grow, helps you grow.
And that, my friend, is mutualism in action.
