Wild Inklings

The Invisible Hand vs. The Engaged Hand

Today marks the birthdays of two people who profoundly influenced the course of economic affairs and business -- Adam Smith (1723-1790) and John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946).

Adam Smith was the proponent of The Invisible Hand, the cornerstone of "free market" economic theory. Let the markets take their course, said Adam Smith, and consumers and business will ultimately find the perfect levels of production, prices and satisfaction. Here's more info on Adam Smith and his theories.

John Maynard Keynes, on the other hand, was a strong proponent of government involvement and intervention in the economy. Spend public resources at deficit levels during times of economic stress, he said, and government will artificially stimulate spending, buying and production. Here's more info on Keynes and his theories.

The debate between the two camps represents one of the classic arguments of economic and business history. To this day, the debate rages on. And it's a curious fact of history that Smith and Keynes share the same birthday.

Time to Create Your Own Economic Stimulus?

Your Own Stimulus Package?

Everybody these days is talking about the economic stimulus package coming out of Washington.  It's the subject of news stories, political controversy and, of course, jokes.

Federal stimulus aside, maybe it's time for you to create your own stimulus package for members or employees.  Think in terms of new training and educational opportunities. Investment of time in new projects with long-term payoffs.  Discounts.  Pushing the benefits of 401(k) programs.  Explaining your benefit packages.  Professional growth counseling. 

Be creative.  Capitalize on the economic stimulus talk, and build your own in-house "stimulus" package.  The result might be a boost in membership and employee commitment.

New Feature:  No Parking in the Comfort Zone

It's easy for people to become parked in their personal "comfort zones."  One problem, though:  comfort zones don't produce professional growth or new business.  No Parking in the Comfort Zone provides readers with inspirational principles (and practical tips) they can use to move away from comfort zones to new and challenging workplace destinations -- and build success in the process.  [Feature 0902].  Let me know if you'd like to review it.

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