PinnedMember-onlyDesign for Emergence: A Theory of Social System ChangeSocial systems challenges require social systems solutions. But because our heads explode at the thought of transforming an entire dynamic social system we keep developing point solutions in the hope that our magic bullet of choice (new law, technology, product, service, or even more money), dropped into today’s social systems…Design11 min readDesign11 min read
Apr 19Member-onlyDon’t Get NetflixedR&D for New Business Models is the Strategic Imperative — I’m feeling nostalgic today. Netflix has announced that after 25 years and 5.2 billion DVDs it is ending it’s pioneering OG business model, DVD-by-Mail. I have long sung Netflix’s praises for bringing Blockbuster to its knees with a better business model followed by disrupting itself as it transformed its…Innovation3 min readInnovation3 min read
Jan 10Member-onlyCalling All PolymathsHave you ever heard someone say they want to be a polymath? Have you ever heard anyone ask, how do I become a polymath? I haven’t. The word comes from the Greek polymathes or having learned much. A polymath is a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different…Learning3 min readLearning3 min read
Dec 21, 2022Member-onlyHappy 1st Birthday LunaYouTogether We Can End the Maternal Health Crisis in America — Dear BIF and LunaYou Community It’s been a minute! We’ve been heads down pivoting BIF into an impact venture studio and spinning out LunaYou, designed to end the maternal health crisis in America. 2022 has been an amazing year and we want to share and celebrate our progress empowering BIPOC…Digital Health3 min readDigital Health3 min read
Oct 18, 2022Member-onlyPreach To The ChoirHow many times have you heard the expression, you’re preaching to the choir? As if engaging with people who share your values and relate to your point of view is a limiting or bad thing. The adage implies that we should find other people, not yet indoctrinated, to engage…Change4 min readChange4 min read
Aug 25, 2022Member-onlyHigher Education Has a Business Model ProblemHigher education has a business model problem. The business model for U.S. colleges and universities — how they create, deliver, and capture value — hasn’t changed since Harvard, our country’s first college, was founded in 1636. Our higher education system is a national treasure that creates enormous societal value, but…Higher Education5 min readHigher Education5 min read
Mar 17, 2022Member-onlyStart More StuffInstitutional America has knocked the start out of us. We need to get back to being great at starting things in our country. Calling all entrepreneurs. This means you. Yes, you. In talking with some of the most entrepreneurial people on the planet I am surprised by how many don’t…Entrepreneurship4 min readEntrepreneurship4 min read
Feb 9, 2022Member-onlyInnovation Lessons From MichelangeloMichelangelo wasn’t a one-trick pony or a one-hit wonder. He was the archetype Renaissance artist, accomplished as a sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. Michelangelo produced iconic works, across disciplines, throughout the 88 years of his life. Many of Michelangelo’s works are still among the world’s most recognized and appreciated art…4 min read4 min read
Sep 6, 2021Member-onlyWork Will Never Be The SameIt seems fitting on Labor Day to reflect on the future of work. Today’s concept of work, employment, and jobs are an outgrowth of an industrial era that is long gone. COVID-19 has changed work forever. The industrial era is not coming back and it’s time to rethink the basic…Labor2 min readLabor2 min read
May 25, 2021Member-onlyOur Obsession With Scale Must EndOur obsession with scalability is getting in the way of unleashing the potential of the 21st century. We’re so fixated on scalability we’ve taken our eye off of delivering value at every scale including the most important scale of one. The Industrial Era did that to us. Reaching the mass…Innovation5 min readInnovation5 min read
