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Are we focused on adding more fuel to get the circular economy going – when, really, the problem is too much friction?
Those terms stuck with me a few years ago, from a book helping people to get new ideas going, and succeeding, by looking more closely at the ‘frictions’ that create resistance. The book, The Human Element is written by organisational psychologist Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal, a specialist in entrepreneurship, design, and innovation.
They say that most people working to create change focus on increasing the appeal of the idea itself – we’re convinced that if we add enough value, people will say “yes.”’ Whilst it’s definitely helpful to ‘sell the sizzle’ of our idea, to help move it forward, we tend to overlook the power of all the concerns, confusion, and other factors getting in the way of the change – the friction.
Of course, fuel is necessary for success. Frictions, on the other hand, are difficult to spot. We are naturally convinced that our idea, our project, our new service, is the best thing since sliced bread. So it’s hard for us to see what’s getting in the way for our audience, customers, or investors. Understanding and overcoming frictions requires empathy. We have to see the world, and our idea within it, from the perspective of those affected.
Over the last series of podcast episodes, we’ve talked about quite a few fuels and frictions relating to the circular economy. Reflecting on those conversations helped me see some recurring themes, including:
- Systems thinking, and the need for seeing a connected whole instead of separate parts, or sub-sections
- Culture, language and how we understand and interpret the circular economy
- Mindsets – what’s our worldview, and does this mean we’re stuck in our ways?
- Information technology, especially ‘legacy’ software systems.
In this episode, I’m going to pull out some of the fuel and friction insights shared by our guests.
International speaker, author and strategic advisor, Catherine Weetman helps people discover why circular, regenerative and fair solutions are better for people, planet – and prosperity.
Catherine’s award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.
Stay in touch for free insights and updates…
Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.
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Links for the episode:
Catherine’s work:
- Circular Economy Podcast on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/circular-economy-podcast/
- Circular Economy Podcast website: circulareconomypodcast.com
- Catherine Weetman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-weetman-9419107/
- A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business – buy from any good bookseller, or direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon2
- Interactive podcast index https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-podcast-index/
- Rethink Global www.rethinkglobal.info
- Sign up to get the podcast player and shownotes for each new episode emailed to your inbox
Books, films, people and organisations we mentioned
- The Human Element, by Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal https://www.humanelementbook.com/post/our-instincts-about-innovation-and-change-are-working-against-us
- ‘Friction finder’ diagnostic quiz, created by the authors of The Human Element https://kellogg453.outgrow.us/friction_finder-1 (hosted at at the Kellogg School of Management in the US where the authors are Professors)
- Rubén Abruña’s award-winning documentary “Holy Shit: Can Poop Save the World?” streaming options including Vimeo, here: https://holyshit.global/
- Earth4All and Global Commons Alliance have published The Global Commons Survey, conducted by Ipsos UK, which reveals a deep-seated concern among citizens of the world’s largest economies about the current state and future of our planet. https://earth4all.life/news/causing-environmental-damage-should-be-a-criminal-offence-say-72-of-people-in-g20-countries-surveyed/
- Richard Milne, The relentless rise of second-hand, FT Weekend (31/8/2024) [currently NOT behind a paywall] https://www.ft.com/content/9b07bad3-af81-4cd2-a98a-a750fcee9d2e
- Clayton Christensen’s book – The Innovators Dilemma https://claytonchristensen.com/books/the-innovators-dilemma/ – here’s a good overview on Medium https://medium.com/datadriveninvestor/why-do-big-companies-fail-the-tale-of-disruptive-innovation-74ba76cfd70d
- https://www.citytosea.org.uk/the-future-is-returnable-a-circular-approach-to-hot-drinks/
- City to Sea’s ‘blueprint’ for running a successful cups scheme https://www.citytosea.org.uk/the-future-is-returnable-a-circular-approach-to-hot-drinks/
Other podcast episodes we mentioned
- Episode 120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too https://www.rethinkglobal.info/120-priorities-are-changing/
- 139 Peter McCafferty: supporting circular businesses. Peter McCafferty of Zero Waste Scotland’s Circular Economy Business Support Service discusses the fuel and friction of the circular economy https://www.rethinkglobal.info/139-peter-mccafferty-supporting-circular-businesses/
- 138 Rubén Abruña: keeping our poop in the loop! Award-winning documentary film maker Rubén Abruña highlights regenerative solutions to the massive problems of human sewage. https://www.rethinkglobal.info/138-ruben-abruna-keeping-our-poop-in-the-loop/
- 137 Dr Martin Stuchtey: rethinking how we invest in nature. Geologist, economist & entrepreneur Prof. Dr. Martin Stuchtey is challenging & rethinking industrial, farming & economic systems https://www.rethinkglobal.info/137-dr-martin-stuchtey-rethinking-how-we-invest-in-nature/
- 136 Julia Brenner of Melta: creating value from food waste. Julia Brenner is a soil scientist and co-founder of Melta, a company dedicated to transforming food waste management and soil health https://www.rethinkglobal.info/136-julia-brenner-of-melta-creating-value-from-food-waste/
- 135 Tuomo Laine: unlocking circular business models. Tuomo Laine is CEO & co-founder of Twice Commerce, which provides software to help its clients unlock a range of circular business models https://www.rethinkglobal.info/135-tuomo-laine-unlocking-circular-business-models/
- 134 Jane Martin of City to Sea: powering refill & reuse on-the-go. Jane Martin of City to Sea is preventing plastic pollution by making it easy and affordable for people to reuse and refill on-the-go https://www.rethinkglobal.info/134-jane-martin-of-city-to-sea-powering-refill-and-reuse-on-the-go/
- 133 Re-Action – repurposing: a new life for unwanted stuff. Jen Dickinson and Beccy Evans use creativity and craft skills to breathe new life into unwanted outdoor gear, clothing and workwear https://www.rethinkglobal.info/133-re-action-repurposinga-new-life-for-unwanted-stuff/
- 132 Re-Action – repairing: from radical to renaissance. 3 businesses helping people discover that repairing means caring – Sheffield Clothing Repair, Snowdonia Gear Repair, Vicky Bikes https://www.rethinkglobal.info/132-re-action-repairing-from-radical-to-renaissance/
- 131 Re-Action – Sharing: Serving more people with less stuff. 3 startups providing convenient, affordable access to high-quality outdoor gear: Cirkel Supply, Tentshare & KitUp Adventures https://www.rethinkglobal.info/131-re-action-sharing-serving-more-people-with-less-stuff/
Playlist: getting started with the circular economy…
Want to know more about the what the circular economy really is, and how it can help your business? Here’s a playlist to help you get to grips with the concept, how it creates value, and the common myths (spoiler alert – it’s much more than recycling!)
- #1 What is the circular economy: A quick intro to explain what the circular economy is and why it’s important. We explore how it helps create better products and services, and at the same time helps to make a better world. I break it down into my 5 circular economy components, helping you think about each part of your business.
- #2 The linear economy and your risk checklist: We dig a bit deeper into the way we do business now, the linear economy, and why that’s creating problems for business, society and our living planet. Also, we’ll look at the risks that emerge from those big-picture issues, and how they might affect your organisation.
- #90 Does circular mean it’s sustainable? Catherine Weetman is worried that companies are using circular economy solutions to grow their business (and their footprints).
- #101 Circular is better for people, planet and profit! How three simple strategies can help you get started with circular and regenerative solutions that are better for people, planet and profit.
- #120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too.
And here’s Catherine’s guide: What is the circular economy?
Want to dig deeper?
Why not buy Catherine’s award-winning book, A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. This comprehensive guide uses a bottom-up, practical approach, and includes hundreds of real examples from around the world, to help you really ‘get’ the circular economy. Even better, you’ll be inspired with ideas to make your own business more competitive, resilient and sustainable.
Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts. Or send us an email…
Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts. Or send us an email…
Podcast music
Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’. Or, follow them on Twitter.
Previous episodes....
Episode 21 Tom Ogonek – Close the Loop
Episode 20 – How to be a problem-hunter
Episode 19 – Åsa Stenmarck of IVL on how to create circular behaviour
Episode 18 – Eve Kekeh of Bundlee
