In 1997 seeing satellite dishes mounted above Bedouin villages and tents in the desert seemed to me a remarkable blend of the ancient and the modern. It was mildly interesting but nothing that captured my attention. Little did I recognize in my three weeks of travel and study in the Middle East, I was seeing the ever expanding cultural globalization of nomadic Arabic tribes and the underling implications for all of us. Communication technology among other factors was changing the way Bedouins lived and viewed the world. Once I read THE WORLD IS FLAT by Thomas L. Friedman I knew in retrospect this was my first glimpse of profound changes that were taking place all around me. These changes would not only affect my life but that of my children, their children and their children. And yours. Clearly, this is not Kansas anymore.
Once we think of the world as flat and the playing field is level, it becomes possible–if we are willing–to find ways to cooperate and compete with people on all corners of the globe in real time. Amazing development and innovations in software, computers, email and teleconferences connects us in powerful waysunknown at any time previously.
According to Friedman, “…we are now connection all the knowledge centers on the planet together into a single global network, which–if politics and terrorism do not get in the way–could usher in an amazing era of prosperity and innovation.” “Could” is the operative word. It’s not a sure thing.In his new book, Friedman divides globalization into three great eras: 1492-1800 when the world shrank from large to medium and the focus was on muscles and countries. Global integration was driven during this era by governments and countries.
From 1800-2000 marked the second great era of globalization. Now the world is shrinking from medium to small. In a mature global economy, multinational companies are driving the force for change.
The unique characteristic of the third era of globalization from 2000 to present is the new found power of individuals to collaborate and compete globally. My mastermind partners who are in Canada, Panama, France, UK, Australia and US demonstrate first hand to me the power of global collaboration. Technology advances have made “all of us next-door neighbors.
“Beginning with the fall of the Berlin Wall on 11/9/89, Friedman goes on to identify “ten forces that flattened the world.” Technology advances produced a unique universal platform for communication ushering in the information revolution. As the global playing field became flatter, businesses, large and small, found more cost effective and efficient ways to do business. Different business models evolved. Necessity is the mother of invention and they found ways to make the most from connecting, collaborating and competing in a world with fewer barriers. The flattened world ushered onto the international stage China, India and former Soviet Union as major players and change agents. Some of the several billion people with new tools and a level playing field were able to quickly compete and collaborate with everyone else.
There’s going to be a lot of “sorting it all out” as described in THE WORLD IS FLAT. Not just for some of us but for all of us. Countries, companies and individuals will be sorting things out. Those who will survive and thrive are those who can quickly adapt to doing business and thinking in new expansive ways. David Schlesinger, head of Reuters America, sent a memo to editorial employees to explain the off-shoring of their jobs. THE WORLD IS FLAT included the following excerpt: “Change is hardest on those caught by surprise. Change is hardest on those who have difficulty changing too. But change is natural; change is not new; change is important.” The textile industry in South Carolina understands this, too. This new flat world is not for the faint of heart. And we’re all in it together no matter what we look like and no matter where we live. It’s just one big blue planet and it’s up to us to sort it all out.
This for me is what makes this time in history the most interesting (and challenging). We are charting new courses at a very rapid pace. Old ways of doing business and old ways of thinking that served us previously won’t work in the twenty first century. We all have a stake in the outcome.
Accepting the conclusion that the world is flat, puts the practical and challenging response squarely up to us–as a country, as a company or institution, and as an individual. Denying the current reality is impractical and it take as much or more creativity and energy to keep the status quo as it does to find some real solutions. Those in denial will be left behind.
As Friedman acknowledges, all parts of the world are not flat and those parts that are may be flattened by war, politics or economic disruption. The fast pace of a flattening world has left millions behind or it has completely overwhelmed them. There is no guarantee that everyone with access to the flattening tools will choose to use them for the benefit of their countries, their companies or themselves. Osama bin Laden, for example.
Creating new ways of collaboration between the flat and unflat parts of the world is the key to springing the trap for 3 billion people currently without hope. Bill Gates says it’s up to us to spring the trap to propel these people into the “virtuous cycle of more education, more health, more capitalism, more rule of law, more wealth….” Fine for the wealthiest man on the planet; he can make a difference because there are certain things only he can do.
What about you? What about the team or company or institution or classroom or family you lead? Key elements to success and even survival in the twenty first century and beyond involve “leadership, flexibility and imagination” to meet the
demands of change occurring at phenomenal speed. Consider this. No one else was born at this time, with your experience and knowledge, with your unique talents and skills in your corner of the world. So if you don’t do it, who will? We are not in Kansas anymore.
