Find out more about this book...

A basic premise of this book is that modern society is not working. What are some of the ways this is evident? Why should business take any responsibility for the present state of affairs?

This book presents many changes that can be made to help create a sustainable society. Four areas are discussed: finance and the economy; organizational structure and management; long term sustainability; and spirituality.

Finance and Economy:

• What are some of the ramifications of the current huge market in speculation in world currencies, rather than trade in actual goods and services?
• What are some alternatives to the debt-based money system?
• Today there are many local currencies in use in various towns and cities around the world. Do you personally know of any? What do you think would happen in your locality if one were established?

Organizational Structure and Management:

People are no longer willing to be treated like pawns in their jobs. Companies are beginning to recognize that they must empower their employees, to allow them to participate in their own work lives.

• Have you experienced this in your workplace? If so, has it made a difference in your job?
• While the new participative management style assumes that people want to be responsible and powerful at work, some people actually resist taking responsibility. Have you seen this happen, and if so, how was it dealt with? Does this fact invalidate the trend to distribute control among the work force?

Long-Term Sustainability

• Does spirituality exist in the business world? If so, how does it manifest?
• How does our spirituality, however we define it, affect how we work?
• Does your basic spiritual belief system thrive in your work life, or is it stifled there? How much does that matter to you?
• Does the concept of "vocation" figure into what work you do?

Getting Down to Business

In the last section of the book, the editors state that the central purpose of industrialized societies is changing, that it is now "to advance human growth and development to the fullest extent, to promote human learning in the broadest possible definition."

• Do you agree with that statement?
• What does it mean to you?