How’s things? I hope you’re having a fun long weekend 😃
It’s been a few weeks where trade has dominated global headlines.
A time of rational uncertainty… but I think the way the global community has responded and the language used shows how trade is much more than a rational transaction.
Trade is innately human and based on relationships.
The global response to the US tariffs has been understandably emotional. Many countries and leaders are feeling betrayed. The Australian Prime Minister said this is “not the act of a friend”.
Looking at trade through this lens also helps us be mindful of the economic fallacy of rational actors and loading it up with dehumanising economic theory and jargon.
Even at a global scale, trade is about relationships – people and their livelihoods, quality of life, opportunities, and desired futures. And who’s included and gets to participate.
A couple of weeks ago I was lucky to be part of the Export Council of Australia webinar on inclusive trade. A huge thanks to Renata Zanetti (General Manager ECA Edge) for inviting me, bringing this together, and facilitating the session.
Renata and Dianne Tipping (the ECA Chair) shared some insights on the big picture of inclusive trade globally. Jacob Davidson from Figjam & Co, Amanda Essery from Kinside, and I then shared some of our perspectives and experiences.
I briefly talked about three things I find are really important for inclusive trade as a key part of transitioning to more regenerative ways of living and doing business:
1. The mindset for inclusive trade
The policy and regulatory environment play a key role – but inclusive trade is more about our mindset, the actions we take, and our networks.
2. Inclusive & universal design principles
Create products, services, and environments that work for as many people as possible. Not just included but the very real human need to belong.
3. Design for regeneration
Accelerate the transition to more regenerative ways of living and doing business.
Check out my full post for what those three points mean and highlights from the panel.
Ideas
Some events and a couple of reflection blog posts for you…
Design Connection #5: Modern Service Design Fundamentals with Cornelius Rachieru
Design Connection is excited to be bringing Cornelius Rachieru to Australia from Canada. He’ll be delivering his full-day Modern Service Design Fundamentals workshop in Sydney on Monday, 12 May and Wednesday, 14 May (this one is sold out). We’ll be doing something on the evening of 15 May too (more soon)… Details & tickets here.
Reflecting on SydDT #112: Designing Your Way Through Chaos with Rachel Zhang
For SydDT #112, we were lucky to have Rach Zhang visiting from Melbourne to share her personal experiences, insight, advice as she reflected on the tough economic challenges designers have been facing over the past couple of years.
Gus Jansen shared some market insights and then Rach, Gus, and Steve Brown continued the conversation on a panel with Lucas Mara. Check out the full write-up, photos, and video.
Reflecting on SydDT #111/IxDA Byron Bay: Regenerative Leadership, Design & Innovation… for Happier Communities
On 26 March, I had the privilege of speaking at IxDA Byron Bay and hosting a panel with Jane Laverty from Business NSW Northern Rivers, Dan Leverington from The Ocelli Group, and Demi Barclay from TAFE NSW.
I focused on three questions… What is regenerative and why do I want it? How do I put this into action in my own life and work? What next? Check out the full write-up, photos, and video.
Let’s Collaborate
At Dynamic4, we specialise in leadership, design, and innovation with a focus on purpose and wellbeing. We do that by working alongside leaders and their teams to navigate complexity and solve problems that matter.
We love helping our clients design, build, and launch ideas that customers and teams love, make money, and do great things for people and our planet while increasing wellbeing. My book Solve Problems That Matter is a good way to get started.
This draws on my 30+ years of bringing together strategy, design, and tech to lead, design, and deliver strategic change in financial services, digital & tech, health & fitness, and building startups/social enterprises.
What do we actually do? Key ways we help is through coaching and advice, workshops, innovation sprints, and designing and delivering leadership, design thinking & innovation programs.
Our approach builds personal, team, and organisational capability to solve problems that matter with more:
🌿 Confidence to navigate complexity and solve problems that matter for your teams, customers, shareholders – and build momentum with more certainty and less risk while increasing your wellbeing
❤️ Clarity to empathically engage your stakeholders, make better decisions, and collaborate to create solutions that your teams and customers love, make money, and do great things for people and our planet
🎯 Purpose that drives progress on your goals and creates meaningful value that you’re proud of for all stakeholders – and build the relationships, workflows, rhythms, and habits for success
Keen to chat about how we can have fun collaborating to solve problems that matter? Book a free 15-minute discovery call.
Have fun!
Ben
