Part 1. Drug dealers - A model of entrepreneural excellence?

Added on 15/3/2011
Originally meant as a four part series. I have extended the topic to 6 parts. I'm having to much fun stimulating debate on a serious topic and creating questions that cause inward evaluation. I do this in order to lay the ground and remove absolute predications. It should also create a place condusive with re-thinking, re-evaluation and resignation. To what? Read on!

Join the debate for this thought provoking series of blogs!

The Context: Fear and anxiety is written on the face of our nation. The shift towards self-preservation is fueled by job insecurity, rising prices and the prospect of a radical change to lifestyle. In order to cope, some will adopt a siege mentality while others will try to stay positive, but most will resign passively or go into survival mode. History reminds us that over the mid - longterm, a squeeze on resources undoubtedly produces winners and losers!  A rise in unemployment tends to increase entrepreneurial activity resulting in thousands of start-up companies. Some are born out of necessity, while others are opportunistic.

IMPORTANT NOTE:Before reading this or any other blog from Cameron Dante you are advised to visit the 'About this blog' section HERE. It will provide useful background information and narrative context. It is also important that  readers acknowledge the disclaimer in order to avoid any misunderstanding. 


Cont... Can we expect an entrepreneurial revolution to take place? Who will drive it? We already have Social Firms within the UK, and social enterprises employing those furthest from the job market. Yet, it's true to say that we need job creation, not job placement and Setting up a business should be the first choice - not the last resort!

Does the UK lack the entrepreneurs required to drive an economic bounce-back? Will it be the same old model? Will we choose to learn from past mistakes? Even though we have licence to rethink, sustainably develop and create new socially inclusive models of recovery that places People, Planet and Profit  at the core, why should we bother?

If we acknowledge the obvious devestation caused to individuals and communities by the black economy and drug trade, try to put it aside for one moment, and refocus on the untapped talent and skillsets of those who drive it. We may be able to learn from them.

Notorious for their ulterior business activities, back street deals and unspoken contracts, we even gave these people a class of their own! The underclass. They excel in many things, but there is one key driver – survival! It is a prerequisite of this unreported entrepreneurial revolution. I must admit that I have a quiet regard for the creativity associated with these ‘unsavoury characters’ but one particular entrepreneurial activity has me gripped! It has gravitas, longevity and is historically proven to be an effective business model.

Ignore the revolution at your peril!

This type of business has been established for at least 60 years on the international and national stage and looks to be around for many, many years due to the dogged desire determined to increase market share. The strategic plan to accelerate and diversify can only be achieved by aggressively taking control of the supply chain and distribution networks. The domination of any consumer market requires serious upfront investment, clarity, vision and an understanding of the risks involved. After consideration, the scale and speed of the return out way any negative points.

The effect of this domination provides a tactical advantage to the business. They now have the ability to dictate price. The cycle of events that tend to increase profitability begin with a short period of measured fluctuation designed to effect the price and availability of stock available to the consumer. The lack of supply fuels demand and the business capitalises on the sheer volume of demand and inflated price. This feast or famine approach is intended to create a  compliant consumer that recognises and expects an unprecedented degree of loyalty from its market. 

It constantly takes advantage of the zeitgeist and recruits from an untapped source of talent, it understands the humanity of its workforce by rewarding innovation with recognition, kudos and wealth. The development of ideas to expand the market are always welcomed and taken seriously. This operation is such a dynamic success that the mind cannot understand how corporate Britain has failed to analyse and tap in to this success?  Surely this constantly renewed template for entrepreneurial success should be replicated across the nation!

Its Topsy-turvy approach may mean that we have to take a step outside of our comfort zone as the business isn’t reviewed on an annual basis; the marketing strategies are developed by illiterate workers embedded in their local communities. Some would argue that the revolutionary approach adopted by this business really does have an impact on the social fabric as social mobility and sustainable development are placed right at the heart of its operation. The workforce are provided with amazing opportunities such as employment for those considered unemployable and a peer-led skills training programme that could embarrass our top universities.

Superb on-the-job training

Not only is the training superb, it doesn't discriminate - benefiting young and old alike. The trainee programme is delivered in a language they understand, no corporate language here! It’s... Well! Motivational! Inspirational! The training leaves a clearly defined career map that benchmarks incremental targets in order to achieve the ‘dream’ outcome.

Is it true that aspiration, drive and a positive determination to better oneself has been strangled out of our young people?  – Not in this business revolution! If it had a water cooler people would genuinely listen, offer advice and care that you achieve your potential. It’s amazing! Somebody pinch me! By default, disaffected teenagers can learn to believe in themselves once again. They develop a new confidence as their interpersonal skills are fine tuned and interaction with people of other cultures can positively promote a message of inclusiveness.

A new approach

Education... good for the majority!
For the important minority...?

Just imagine! An education on their terms - whenever they felt like, knowing that they  won’t be judged or made to feel inferior.  It’s a real social breakthrough that cannot be ignored. These students would become proficient in psychology, they will learn to spot the strengths and weakness in people’s characters whilst using their newly found decision making skills to judge the correct moment to tactically adopt a person-centred approach or utilise Neuro-linguistic programming. It may be possible that in time they could even use a bit of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in their business life! Who knows? And that is the point! The possibilities are endless.





Learn from past mistakes

Gone are the hippy ideals of the 1960’s teenage revolution. It’s fair to say that this youth-led movement created some positive legacies that still hold true today. It sparked a new desire to be creative and change the mind-set of a generation. Young people were the first to apply a new rule to this concept of a creative culture. It must be available to all people of class, religion, colour or creed. They believed that this would harmonise people, break-down divisive stereotypes and benefit communities socially.  The belief that this new creative freedom would have a holistic effect on life was profound; this holistic approach sowed the seed for a new philosophy of self-belief. It was this philosophy that encouraged young people to believe in their abilities no matter what their authoritarian elders said. The flip-side of self-belief came as a stark warning to the older generation. Young people stressed that the accepted way of doing things had to change, the culture of ignoring young people and trying to control their future would have dire consequences!

The young people were very clear, “that was the old way, and this is the new.” Naturally, this movement rocked the establishment as their new way of interpreting the world and redefining freedom of expression clashed with authority; they brazenly questioned a class system that turned a blind eye to those in poverty, shone a mirror on corrupt officials and questioned the need to be so passive, unquestioning and subservient to government policies, particularly if they clashed with the core principles of freedom, inclusiveness and the right to better oneself.

While this atmosphere of rebellion bucked the system, it also warned established business leaders of the dangers that lay ahead.

Did we transform the future?
Did we adapt and transform our society? Are we still ignoring young people or have we taken an old lesson and translated it for today’s disaffected? What about inclusiveness, opportunity and the right to better oneself being available to all?  What about the catastrophic backlash faced by ignoring the voices, positioning peoples living areas based on their financial status? Did the first backlash teach us about the dangers of separation and the benefits of integration?

Clearly not! So here we are again! The disaffected, dispossessed and angry young people of our inner cities believe that no amount of ability will get a job! They feel pre-judged, unsupported and know that the corporate approach to business has a specific criterion that they need to fit. The resulting backlash is taking place today. Failure to translate yesterday’s message means the same mistakes being made. So! Can we complain when they make their own rules?

This new-found boldness and mistrust of authority is fuelled by years of being let down, kept in socially acceptable places, classed and treated like underdogs which coupled with their home experience, feelings of rejection and poverty trap.

Even though there continues to be a culture of hopelessness, a disparate future and perceived discrimination the change was inevitable. They came to a sobering conclusion which confirmed their belief that life is a dog-eat-dog existence and nobody believes in, or cares about ‘our kind.’ This prompted a response - create a new way!

Part 2 is now online