Dynamic4 Ideas
Articles on the past, present… and possible futures of strategy, design, tech, and social innovation

Celebrating 2022 Wins
2022. What a massive year it’s been. It’s been another fun and meaningful year playing at the place where design, social innovation, and wellbeing meet.

Ben Pecotich, Reflecting on 30 Years
This week 30 years ago was a major milestone in my life. A couple of days after my 17th birthday, I left school and started my first job. Three decades of adventures and learning!

Business for Good: The Size & Economic Contribution of Social Enterprise in Australia
12,000 social enterprises contribute $21.3 billion to the Australian economy and employ 206,000 people.

Reflecting on Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) 2022
Reflecting on my highlights from SEWF 2022.

Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) 2022
Less than a week until Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) in Brisbane!

April 2022 Highlights
April blurred by with the end of daylight savings, school holidays, three short weeks, and a lot of events. Here are some of my highlights.

Earth Day 2022. Listen to Their Voices
Earth Day 2022. Business has a role to play in fighting climate change by centring climate justice, listening first, and then taking action. #BusinessForClimateJustice
Solve Problems That Matter: Last Update for 2021
A massive thanks to everyone who has already bought their copy, sent through endorsements, and cheered me on over the past year.

Celebrating 2021 Wins
Happy Festivus… for the rest of us. Counter to the Festivus tradition of airing grievances, I’m going to air some wins and things I’m grateful for to celebrate.

Social Enterprise Day 2021
#WhoKnew 11 November 2021 is Social Enterprise Day – part of Global Entrepreneurs Week, and a day to raise the profile of social enterprise around the world and amplify their impact.

Taking a Breath
What a beautiful weekend! I took a moment to reflect on the Solve Problems That Matter journey. How it started, the purpose, the strategy, where I’m at now, and what’s next.

Get Your Copy of Solve Problems That Matter
Watch the Solve Problems That Matter book launch at SydDT and get the book on how to design, build & launch your social enterprise idea.
Solve Problems That Matter: Teaser PDF Release
The first version of the free teaser preview of Solve Problems That Matter is available to download now!
Solve Problems That Matter: SydDT Book Launch Event
SydDT Meetup #64: Solve Problems That Matter with Ben Pecotich. How to design, build & launch your social enterprise idea.

20 Years of Dynamic4. What’s Next?
Today is our 20th birthday! It’s also the official start of Dynamic4 v8.0. What’s that mean? What are we focusing on and why?

Dynamic & Adaptable. Dynamic4: The 20th Year
Dynamic & adaptable is the fourth of Dynamic4’s values – or guiding principles. Tomorrow is our 20th birthday. Being dynamic and adaptable is key to being around that long.
What’s Your Biggest Challenge Right Now?
Working on a social enterprise idea? What’s your biggest challenge right now?

Solve Problems That Matter: Spark Festival Book Launch
This will be a soft launch of my book Solve Problems That Matter… which is all about how to design, build & launch your social enterprise idea.
Solve Problems That Matter: Book Interior Prototyped
Watch this space, I’m planning to get Solve Problems That Matter out into the world in October 2021.
Social Enterprise Series by StartSomeGood & ACU Co-Lab
I’m looking forward to teaching a class tomorrow as part of the Social Enterprise Series by ACU Co-Lab and curated by StartSomeGood.

Solve Problems That Matter: Cover Voting Results
Thanks to everyone who voted on the cover design concepts and shared your awesome insights. The puzzle heart cover won with 38% of the vote.

Catalyst 2030: People’s Report
You, me and us. How unique are our stories? What can we do if we come together? Play today and play your part in holding world leaders accountable to changing the reality of those often left behind.
Solve Problems That Matter: Cover Voting
It’s time to vote on the cover for Solve Problems That Matter! Got 30 seconds for a really simple vote?
Solve Problems That Matter: Rebuilding Momentum
Last week I prototyped the design of the interior and I’ll also have some book cover options for you to vote on in the next few days. Watch this space!

Social Sector Transformation Fund (SSTF): Sefa Partnership
We’re excited to be partnering with Sefa, Orange Compass, and Future Directors Institute to provide services to health and social service organisations as part of the NSW Government Social Sector Transformation Fund (SSTF).

Perspective & Context. Dynamic4: The 20th Year
Perspective & Context is the third of Dynamic4’s core values and guiding principles. An active reminder to be mindful of how we look at and see things, and the meaning we make – all through the lens of our purpose.

NAIDOC Week 2021: Heal Country
The theme of NAIDOC Week this year is Heal Country… a time to come together to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

7 Years of Dynamic4 Jetpack
On this day seven years ago, Anthony Quinn & I ran the first public session of what has evolved and grown over the years into the Dynamic4 Jetpack program.

Solve Problems That Matter: Product Page Live
I got the Solve Problems That Matter product page live last week. It will evolve a fair bit yet but you can now pre-order your copy.

Positive Impact. Dynamic4: The 20th Year
Positive Impact is one of Dynamic4’s core values and guiding principles. Our first impact report outlines what this looks like in practice.

WWF Renewables Nation Campaign
Dynamic4 stands with WWF and over 100 proactive businesses calling for investment in Australia’s renewable future to become a #RenewablesNation. #UnitedWeShine

Green Elephant Show – B Corp Month Interview
I recently had a fun chat with Mike Saville on the Green Elephant Show for B Corp Month talking about the intersect of B Corps, social enterprise, human-centred design/design thinking & innovation!
Solve Problems That Matter: 10k Words Done
Yesterday I achieved a key milestone on Solve Problems That Matter, passing 10k words and full coverage of my very rough first draft. I’ll keep building the momentum.

Solve Problems That Matter… What’s On Your Mind?
Solve Problems That Matter: A Social Enterprise Guide to Human-Centred Design & Innovation is the book format of our Jetpack program with the key aim of reaching more people globally. I’d love your help to test my thinking!

People First. Dynamic4: The 20th Year
When I wrote out Dynamic4’s values over a decade ago – which I frame as our guiding principles – People First was number one. This is the driving principle and core approach to everything we do.

Intent & Direction. Dynamic4: The 20th Year
It’s pretty common to be making plans for the year ahead about now. I’ve always been fascinated by planning – and its tension with reality. Some things I’ve learnt…

Multi-Award Winning CSI/UNSW Social Entrepreneurship Teaching Team
Celebrating two years as a Social Entrepreneur-in-Residence as part of the multi-award winning CSI/UNSW Business School teaching team on the Social Entrepreneurship Practicum – a capstone project as part of a Master of Commerce.

Purpose & Happiness. Dynamic4: The 20th Year
Purpose and happiness. A couple of simple words that seem to have taken on the burden of so many connotations… At Dynamic4, the core of our purpose is to help create the conditions for happier people and communities. I guess I better explain myself.

Social Enterprise Day 2020
Happy global Social Enterprise Day 2020! A day to raise the profile of social enterprise around the world! How can I celebrate?

Open & Curious. Dynamic4: The 20th Year
This month Dynamic4 entered its 20th year. It seems a good time to reflect on the journey so far and some key things I’ve learnt on the way… starting with being open & curious.

Formative Jobs Reflection
A few days ago a good friend posted an interesting reflection challenge on Linkedin… formative experiences that taught you a lot while not being directionally aligned with your career path.

Market Signals for More Ethical & Sustainable Business
I often talk about what running a good business means now. Operating ethically and sustainably is the minimum baseline and increasingly the expectation is that businesses include a clear social and environmental purpose – and ideally embed impact in their business model. Why?

Fullstack Web Developer: We’re Hiring!
Are you a talented up-and-coming dev who wants to spend your time building digital solutions for more equal, inclusive, and sustainable communities? We’re looking for another fullstack web dev to join our team.

Ben Pecotich, Reflecting on 25 Years. Part 2: The AMP Years (1998-2001)
A couple of weeks ago it was 25 years since I started my first office job at 17. Reflecting on the journey so far… Part 1 of this series covered the Westpac Years (1993-1998). Part 2 covers the AMP Years (1998-2001).

Ben Pecotich, Reflecting on 25 Years. Part 1: The Westpac Years (1993-1998)
25 years ago today at the fresh age of 17, I started my first office job at Westpac. The beginning of my non-linear career in strategy, design, and tech. Now seems like a good time to reflect on the journey so far…

Jetpack Step 6: How to Design the Minimum Solution
In Jetpack Step 6, the goal is to clarify what the end-to-end lifecycle and the interactions between customers and other key people who receive value from your solution look like.

Jetpack Step 5: How to Choose Your Legal Structure and Story
Your goal in Jetpack Step 5 is to gain clarity on your legal structure and funding options. You’ll also aim to tell a comprehensive story about your idea and impact – to attract supporters, investors, and collaborators.

Jetpack Step 4: How to Sustain Your Business
At the end of Jetpack Step 4, your goal is to gain clarity on the elements of your financial model and what would be required to reach monthly breakeven.

Win a Free Spot on Jetpack for Changemakers!
Win a spot on the 1 December Jetpack for Changemakers Steps 1 & 2 day in Sydney – worth $999. Get your purpose-driven startup/social enterprise rocketing.