In a recent podcast I asked author, Billee Howard, “What sort of skills do I need to develop as a company or an entrepreneur to participate. Is there a set of skills I need?”
Related Podcast and Transcription: Introduction to We-Commerce
Billee: Well, I think that it really goes back to understanding the environment that we’re in. I think that people make a mistake by thinking that maybe the sharing economy is a blip or a phenomenon or can be boiled down to an app like Uber or Airbnb when in reality our entire society is moving away from the model of ownership. So, if we’re moving away from the model of ownership, and we’re moving towards the idea of doing a community of building businesses, building infrastructures that are really based on the notion of trust and collaboration, I think that’s probably the most critical thing that one can do to even begin to compete because I think you really need to understand how vastly different the landscape is.
I think you also really need to understand this idea that culture and commerce are really not 2 separate areas anymore. That’s why I talk about this new era of the artist in business in my book because creativity is no longer a function of optics designed to make something look pretty, it’s really a critical component of business strategy. So is technology. Technology is no longer just this agent of infrastructure building so that we can connect. I mean that was the last 20 years. But, technology today is also another critical component of business strategy. I think if you really study and understand the core drivers that are fueling the economy forward and driving successful business and leadership then you probably will be equipped to compete and compete well.
About: Billee Howard is a 20-year creative professional dedicated to studying the rising intersection of culture and commerce and identifying the issues and trends that are defining our future in the new era of engagement. Her new book is We-Commerce: How to Create, Collaborate, and Succeed in the Sharing Economy.
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