{"rowid": 114, "title": "How To Create Rockband'ism", "contents": "There are mysteries happening in the world of business these days. We want something else by now. The business of business has to become more than business. We want to be able to identify ourselves with the brands we purchase and we want them to do good things. We want to feel cool because we buy stuff, and we don\u2019t just want a shopping experience \u2013 we want an engagement with a company we can relate to.\n\nLet me get back to \u201cfeeling cool\u201d \u2013 if we want to feel cool, we might get the companies we buy from to support that. That\u2019s why I am on a mission to make companies into rockbands.\n\nNow when I say rockbands \u2013 I don\u2019t mean the puke-y, drunky, nasty stuff that some people would highlight is also a part of rockbands. Therefore I have created my own word \u201crockband\u2019ism\u201d. This word is the definition of a childhood dream version of being in a rockband \u2013 the feeling of being more respected and loved and cool, than a cockroach or a suit on the floor of a company.\n\nRockband\u2019ism\n\nRockband\u2019ism is what we aspire to, to feel cool and happy.\n\nSo basically what I am arguing is that companies should look upon themselves as rockbands. Because the world has changed, so business needs to change as well.\n\nI have listed a couple of things you could do today to become a rockband, as a person or as a company.\n\n1 \u2013 Give your support to companies that make a difference to their surroundings \u2013 if you are buying electronics look up what the electronic producers are doing of good in the world (check out the Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics).\n\n2 \u2013 Implement good karma in your everyday life (and do well by doing good). What you give out you get back at some point in some shape \u2013 this can also be implemented for business.\n\n3 \u2013 WWRD? \u2013 \u201cwhat would a rockband do\u201d? or if you are into Kenny Rogers \u2013 what would he do in any given situation? This will also show yourself where your business or personal integrity lies because you actually act as a person or a rockband you admire.\n\n4 \u2013 Start leading instead of managing \u2013 If we can measure stuff why should we manage it? Leadership is key here instead of management. When you lead you tell people how to reach the stars, when you manage you keep them on the ground.\n\n5 \u2013 Respect and confide in, that people are the best at what they do. If they aren\u2019t, they won\u2019t be around for long. If they are and you keep on buggin\u2019 them, they won\u2019t be around for long either.\n\n6 \u2013 Don\u2019t be arrogant \u2013 Because audiences can\u2019t stand it \u2013 talk to people as a person not as a company.\n\n7 \u2013 Focus on your return on involvement \u2013 know that you get a return on, what you involve yourself in. No matter if it\u2019s bingo, communities, talks, ornithology or un-conferences.\n\n8 \u2013 Find out where you can make a difference and do it. Don\u2019t leave it up to everybody else to save the world.\n\n9 \u2013 Find out what you can do to become an authentic, trustworthy and remarkable company. Maybe you could even think about this a lot and make these thoughts into an actionplan.\n\n10 \u2013 Last but not least \u2013 if you\u2019re not happy \u2013 do something else, become another type of rockband, maybe a soloist of a sort, or an orchestra.\n\nNo more business as usual\n\nThis really isn\u2019t time for more business as usual, our environment (digital, natural, work or any other kind of environment) is changing. You are going to have to change too.\n\nThis article actually sprang from a talk I did at the Shift08 conference in Lisbon in October. In addition to this article for 24 ways I have turned the talk into an eBook that you can get on Toothless Tiger Press for free.\n\nMay you all have a sustainable and great Christmas full of great moments with your loved ones. December is a month for gratitude, enjoyment and love.", "year": "2008", "author": "Henriette Weber", "author_slug": "henrietteweber", "published": "2008-12-07T00:00:00+00:00", "url": "https://24ways.org/2008/how-to-create-rockbandism/", "topic": "business"}