I began my professional working life in the field of ‘community economic development’ (CED) and ‘local economic development’ (LED). These models of development provide an important contribution to understanding the problems facing local communities, but they are often seen as a poor cousin to ‘real’ economic development. Whilst this is unfair, it is not completely…
Can the shared economy contribute to inclusive growth?
Perhaps the most pervasive of the new economic and business models in recent years is the shared or sharing economy. It offers a revolutionary new concept: access over ownership. What is important is not what you own, but what you have access to it. On the face if it, this presents a democratisation of the…
The power of entrepreneurial role models
There is a lot of power in entrepreneurial role models: the people we consider to be successful in business. Role models influence others. If you don’t identify with these role models, you may not see yourself in their shoes. I used to see most businesspeople as men; white men with a leased BMW and a…
Does inclusive growth require inclusive business?
While the world’s economy continues to grow and poverty is on the decline, inequality is increasing and the exclusion of certain social groups remains a persistent problem. In response, governments and development agencies are paying greater attention to social inclusion as a core principle for development. While they have their problems, the Sustainable Development Goals…