On Competition vs. Community

Charles — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:34:14 +0000

I believe that competition and the mindset that accompanies it are a form of scarcity consciousness. Focusing on “beating competitors” and the associated conflict may be exciting for some, but ultimately it hurts both the business community and the social community.

I believe in abundance consciousness. I believe there is enough work, food, love and compassion to go around… if we open to it.

(This is not to say that our environmental problems will go away, and we’ll suddenly have unlimited natural resources if we so believe. But I do believe that we have the capacity to tackle even these big issues with creativity and kindness, and that putting our intention in the direction of a safe, clean, kind world is a lot more likely to get us there.)

Another local design and development group is tacitly advocating competition, by censuring all such fellow groups from their “community” efforts. This does not support a growing professional network, or a sustainable business community, or a vibrant and developing social community. Pulling together as a community, whether local professionals in a network, or other participants in the local business landscape, is a way to enhance professional strengths, work towards a sustainable business community, and contribute to a more vibrant and developing social community.

After some thought, I am listing below, all the businesses and individuals I know in the area that are working in web design, graphic design, software development, and marketing. I have personally worked with many of them, and continue to seek opportunities to collaborate. It is my personal policy to direct potential new clients to anyone I think will better serve them, or to bring such collaborators into projects, and I will continue to do so.

Do you know of other Gulf Island’s businesses in this field? Please let me know via email or comments, and I’ll list them here.

Are you involved in this field? If so, please consider your professional, business and social communities, and advocate collaboration and network building over destructive, zero-sum competitive practices. I hope to work with you soon!

- Charles Buchwald

This list has been moved here.

Building Boats… in 2 Hours or Less

Charles — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:34:00 +0000

This is something of a ‘blast from the past’. A few years ago I competed in the (then) annual Sea Capers Build-a-Boat Challenge. The rules were slightly different every year, but the gist of it was to design and build a boat for less than $100 (Canadian, even) in two hours or less, and then navigate it around a short course in Ganges Harbour. The first boat back to shore, and still floating, was the winner.

We all have gifts; mine is, apparently, designing and building really cheap, fast boats. With the help of a few good friends and many supporters, I managed to win 3 out of the 4 years that entered.

See the 2003 competition and the 2004 competition.

Charles Buchwald & Friends » competition

On Competition vs. Community

Building Boats… in 2 Hours or Less