paradigm-shift-ahead-7gracesIn this article Kate Griffiths turns traditional business concepts on their head by giving you a glimpse into the way business is going in the 21st century.  She also shares an example of a current new paradigm biz so that you can see this is more than wishful thinking. 

Earlier this week I was at a new paradigm networking coffee morning.  I love Link4Growth because it is not about stuffing people’s heads full of techniques that they are unlikely to ever use nor is it about giving the best elevator pitch in 60 seconds or less.  There is space to really connect with the essence of another person and to come together to build local community and out of that all kinds of business is done.  And yet even there, the old guard can still be found which is great in one way because it means L4G allows for diversity and breadth.  Who wants to find themselves surrounded by a bunch of mini mes?

Let me share with you an experience I had there.  I was talking to a couple of people about one of my favourite subjects, new paradigm business, when what I would define as a steretypical looking businessman blurted out

and what gives you the authority to talk about this?

Feeling a little mischievous I could not resist saying how old school such thinking was.  It was what I was brought up with – the notion that I had to prove I was good at something by getting the relevant qualification and at the time I bought into the concept and have a string of qualifications as long as your arm.  When I was pushed again, I mentioned my years of service in the people and change practice of a very well known blue chip professional services firm and that all that was needed.  Whilst the questioner was happy, what I really wanted to say is that in many ways qualifications are irrelevant now.  The key is to how you are being – tapping into our whole selves and standing in our greatness enables those around us to do the same.  In more practical terms, Nick Williams from Inspired Entrepreneur was on to something when he said you don’t need another qualification, you just need to know a little bit more than those you are working with.

When you boil it all down, being a new paradigm entrepreneur/ business starts with tapping into your passion and letting your intuition guide you as to how to bring it into the world and be paid for your wisdom.  Let me share with you a real live example of what I mean.

Last Saturday I had the privilege of attending Espiritu’s open day.  There were loads of people there and I met up with people I had not seen for a long time.  Just goes to show how Espiritu Launch Stiltwalkerimportant people are as a currency are in the new paradigm – it is the main way of getting the word out about your idea.  Even within the Espiritu Spa team, you can witness this multiplier effect in action – one of the therapists has known the founder for years since they met at a local mums networking group.  And what’s more it was an imaginative open day, one to remember with sights like a stilt walker outside.

So what is Espiritu?  This is an amazing concept as it stands for beauty from the inside out in other words they are a hair and beauty salon, which also offers therapies like Indian Head Massage and reflexology; as well as workshops for stress etc.  To get a sense of their essence, read the rest of their values:

Lisa and David at EspirituLisa, in many ways the strategic force behind the idea, has put together the kind of place that she would like to visit.  It has great style as you can see from what she’s wearing.  There are also some very special extra features for example the wash down area has special shiatsu massage chairs in it that can only be found in Harrods and Paris.  Excellent service is part of their values and is what will make them stand out and have people coming for more.

Lisa is a Mum and she knows what Mums love.  One detail I love is the bookcase in one corner stuffed full of great self help books with the bottom shelf dedicated to children’s books.  Espiritu has also introduced Mummy’s Monday where a primary age child or under gets a free cut whilst you are having your hair or beauty treatment.

The little touch I particularly liked was that each treatment room has a name.  My favourite was the Marilyn room which had adorned on its wall the following Marilyn Monroe quotation:

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

It is this thoughtful approach and attention to detail as well as the novelty factor which will make the salon and spa such a success.

If you want to learn more about what a new paradigm business is then join us at The Manor House http://www.barefoottherapies.com/contact/ in Bygrave on 8 November for a taster session.  You can register here or contact us.  And if this article has inspired any thoughts, please feel free to share them below.

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Following a career in a blue chip company, Kate set up her own business a year ago.  She spends a lot of time coaching soulpreneurs who are passionate about what they do and want to find ways to make what they do more profitable.

The focus of Kate’s work is consulting to SMEs around what it means to be a new paradigm business.  The emphasis is on working intuitively with a focus on communication and mindfulness.  She is in the process of researching a potential project with organisations in the food industry that are seeking to turn the current food industry model upside down.

 

What do new paradigm businesses look like?

6 thoughts on “What do new paradigm businesses look like?

  • October 3, 2013 at 10:50 pm
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    Kate I described this article to my brother just now and he responded, “she sounds like one of your people Joe!” You see the “new paradigm” you’re describing where people follow their passion, inspiration and ideas so they live a purposeful life, that is I think what will heal our world! The more people who learn to be mindful and conscious and live authentically the better we will all be economically and otherwise.

    • October 3, 2013 at 10:55 pm
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      Bless you Joe I totally agree. It’s just about finding different ways of describing it to peeps so that more join us…. Funny my brother would probably say the same about you as we are chalk and cheese in many ways. When are we going to have that skype chat? Lots of thoughts on your website too.

      • October 3, 2013 at 10:59 pm
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        I am available tomorrow from 11am to 2pm PST. Its 3pm here now. Would love to connect then. Please let me know.

        • October 3, 2013 at 11:03 pm
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          Normally that wd be great but my niece is over from NZ and I meet her for the first time tomoz and still revelling in the fact that I am an auntie. How’s Monday between 1 and 2pm your time looking?

  • October 5, 2013 at 12:30 am
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    I’m so touched that you wrote this lovely! You are right – we went about creating this in a very different way from anything I’ve ever created before. The old project planner version of me would have been horrified by the ‘go with the flow’ intuitive approach that I used.
    I’m so glad that some of the things that I’ve added as quite subtle ideas have come across so easily – I think that one of the things I’ve learnt over the years is to be clear on who you are, so that the message doesn’t get distorted.

    I’ve used meditation a lot when tackling the challenges and problems of the last 4 months – something that I know you are very keen on as well. I’m not in any way an expert meditator, but it’s been tremendously helpful – just shows how powerful it can be as a tool even as a beginner. I think that tapping into your intuition is a lot faster, and a lot less tiring – I couldn’t have done this the ‘old way’ due to my fibromyalgia, my body just wouldn’t have stood up to the pressure.

    What an interesting idea you express about qualifications. I must admit I’m a big fan of qualifications and experience. But I agree that it can be adapted to pretty much anything and we shouldn’t get hung up on specifics. Many people have been shocked when I admit that I haven’t owned or run a Salon and Spa before, or even worked in one. However, I’ve had this plan for 13 yrs, and my experience as a healer, therapist, author, blogger, and all those years in IT have been key. Plus the fact that as a team, we work so well together – the other partners are my Financial Director husband and our hairdresser Tony. Without each other we wouldn’t have been able to open – maybe that also is part of the new paradigm, that we don’t have to do everything alone any more?

    • October 9, 2013 at 5:13 pm
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      Thanks for the reply Lisa and yes absolutely agree that being part of the new paradigm is all about collaboration which only comes when we know our strengths and stand in our power. I really love what you created and so hope that it brings all you desire and more.

      Meditation is as you say a great way to tune into your wisest self and then follow the intuition you get. And the birth of amazing ventures often takes a while because it is all about the timing. Will be watching from the wings at how Espiritu evolves and hope to be back there before too long on a Mummy Monday.

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