Global Redesign Institute

#Global Redesign Institute

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Author: Dave Lucas Venue: UK Chapters Team Speak meeting Date: Tue, Dec 25, 2012 at 1:49 AM

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For the next round of chapter Teamspeak meetings, on Facebook groups/forums and via a magazine mailshot to our wider database, we proposed introducing a new move towards developing specialist topic groups under the banner of the Global Redesign Institute, and get people thinking about what specialist topic (if any) they feel is their forte, or which they feel most keen about becoming more involved with. An additional option might be to use a free educational resource like the Khan academy to learn some specialist knowledge.

Those people who already are adept at finding and sharing videos, articles and websites about particular topics can be encouraged to share them with their specialist GRI group with a view to displaying the material more permanently, rather than these getting buried under new posts. It was agreed that using the GRI banner would give us more professional gravitas than TZM, since our initiative will be designed from the outset to take a structured systems approach familiar to the business community.

The role the GRI will ultimately need to fulfil is that of a planet-wide systems analysis exercise, operating in stages according to set protocols, including a proven project management methodology such as PRINCE2. We would need to systematically assess each industry/profession, map out its logical processes, work out whether each industry/process is still relevant to our new paradigm, and if it is relevant, what will be its most efficient new configuration in order to function optimally as part of a globally integrated resource management system.

A first step could be to create a new Facebook group for each specialist topic, so that members could accumulate and start discussing ideas and sharing material. The next step for each group would be to move towards a more bespoke online platform using Linux/Github technology. Norman has experience in this field, and an avenue to explore is to what extent he will be able to develop each Github platform, and what features can be made available to each group to assist with whatever specialised applications they may want to develop as their field expands and subdivides.

The suggested groups so far are: -

• Urban agriculture/permaculture
• 3d printing
• Psychology/cultural adaptations
• Transport
• Energy production
• Open source governance systems
• Housing
• Information systems/infrastructure
• Resource tracking/management
• Automation of infrastructure
• Project management
• Digital mapping
• These categories would be subject to changes as we progressed.

It was anticipated that as more people developed their specialisations and accumulated and refined bodies of knowledge in each topic, they would begin to focus more on research into key professions they would be looking to recruit new members from, so that those professional new members could raise the level of expert knowledge and influence within each group. Another future project could be the creation of specialised recruiting materials, so that chapters would be able to take a co-ordinated approach towards attracting particular demographics.

Probably the first professions we need to focus on are project managers and systems analysts. Once we have built up a good body of these professionals with experience in a comprehensive range of industries, then they in turn will be our bedrock in adding structure to the strategy, and engaging with planners, architects, engineers, surveyors, programmers etc and presenting them with a professionally credible plan of action for conducting a global feasibility study.

Another related area covered was attending networking meetings. In my experience, local business people do seem receptive towards the idea of a social enterprise that invites participation in a plan to develop an updated socio-economic system if presented using professional and structured thinking, and we at TZM are in a very strong position to develop and circulate presentation materials that will enable us to introduce the GRI very articulately. I have suggested that a good approach is for a member to start off by introducing their specialist topic as a presentation opener because it will be easier for the layman to accept, before moving them on to the wider principles of the new paradigm of which it will be a component.

I suggest we get a batch of GRI business cards printed and choose a suitable logo (perhaps PJ has developed one?) and personalise them with our names.

There are numerous business networking groups around the country, typically attended by between 10 and 35 people. They welcome visitors, and typically charge about £10, which includes a buffet breakfast, lunch or tea. People exchange business cards, chat socially, and build up networks of a portfolio of different professions so they are in a strong position to give and receive referrals. One group, BNI has an international network of chapters. Its mantra is ‘giver’s gain’ – if I pass you business – you will want to pass me business. These chapters will invariably have people from mundane industries – accountants, financial services agents, mortgage vendors etc, so someone from a novel, futuristic business enterprise is bound to be well received.

If you google ‘business networking (your town name)’ you are bound to get a fair few results. Alternatively, google your local PR agencies, and they should be able to give you the contact details of local groups, plus other key local professionals you might want to talk to.