As I wrote before, capitalism is a pyramid scheme – to survive it needs to grow or to borrow. In the current economic climate many organisations are trying something else; they are trying to squeeze “more from less”.
Where does this approach come from ? “Faster, better, cheaper” became fashionable in organisations after Daniel Goldin introduced it to NASA. The thinking was that if it works for NASA then it can work for businesses, corporations, government departments etc. Unfortunately it later turned out that it didn’t work for NASA at all, initiating a whole series of publicly visible failures. Of course you can’t lay all the blame on Goldin. If you can’t grow any more, can’t borrow enough, then you have to try to put the squeeze on. The problem is that many leaders pretend or believe that this approach is consequence free. They are forced to take on this approach as they reach the top of the pyramid scheme. This is what is happening now. With seven billion people in the world and limited resources we are approaching the capitalist apex. Growth is reaching its limit. Borrowing has been shifted around and there is financial chaos in the world. The last ditch option of “more from less” is purportedly about cutting waste and becoming lean and efficient. That might help short term but you can’t keep on doing it and doing it. Once the fat is gone, you start cutting into the flesh …
Liam Mor's Blog