Tiana Reid — June 22, 2012 — Social Good
References: middleclassempowerment
Dwight Chestnut's Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project is an innovative idea that could transform the way North America looks at economics and business development. Learn more regarding what it's all about in this SocialBusiness.org interview where we talk to the man behind the initiative.
Four Questions with Dwight Chestnut
1. How did the idea for the business model come about?
The business models underwriting the Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project is the bi-product of business research in collaborative business development and interactive learning, which is the central focus of my company M.I.N.D.S. I began formulating the basic ideas as far back as 1995. In 1995, when the Internet begin to emerge as a mainstream phenomenon, one of its claims to fame was that it will level the playing field between small and large companies, making it easier for home and small business owners to compete with large corporations. Well, if this is the case, then Internet revolution or information technology revolution should improve the standard of living for the average consumer worker. With this in mind, I began to ask the questions... Is it real and, if so, what will this higher standard of living look like on a large macro-economic scale? From this, through part-time/spare effort, I developed the principles and processes behind collaborative business development and interactive learning which, I think, is the bridge to this higher standard of living.
2. How did you decide to join this sector?
I didn't. Social business join me. The terms social business, social entrepreneurs and social innovation came about in recent years. As noted above, I've been involved in part time/spare self-directed research in this area since 1995.
3. How do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration dates back to engineering school where the graduating motto was "INNOVATE OR DIE." Although, I'm no longer in engineering, I still operate to this motto. Innovation doesn't have to be the latest high tech gadget, it can be social practices or new applications of information technology that transforms social behavior.
4. How do you reset yourself to be creative? Do you have any rituals?
I just make sure the area I work in is aligned with my passion to innovate and make a difference in the world. From that point on, I'm on autopilot.
Four Questions with Dwight Chestnut
1. How did the idea for the business model come about?
The business models underwriting the Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project is the bi-product of business research in collaborative business development and interactive learning, which is the central focus of my company M.I.N.D.S. I began formulating the basic ideas as far back as 1995. In 1995, when the Internet begin to emerge as a mainstream phenomenon, one of its claims to fame was that it will level the playing field between small and large companies, making it easier for home and small business owners to compete with large corporations. Well, if this is the case, then Internet revolution or information technology revolution should improve the standard of living for the average consumer worker. With this in mind, I began to ask the questions... Is it real and, if so, what will this higher standard of living look like on a large macro-economic scale? From this, through part-time/spare effort, I developed the principles and processes behind collaborative business development and interactive learning which, I think, is the bridge to this higher standard of living.
2. How did you decide to join this sector?
I didn't. Social business join me. The terms social business, social entrepreneurs and social innovation came about in recent years. As noted above, I've been involved in part time/spare self-directed research in this area since 1995.
3. How do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration dates back to engineering school where the graduating motto was "INNOVATE OR DIE." Although, I'm no longer in engineering, I still operate to this motto. Innovation doesn't have to be the latest high tech gadget, it can be social practices or new applications of information technology that transforms social behavior.
4. How do you reset yourself to be creative? Do you have any rituals?
I just make sure the area I work in is aligned with my passion to innovate and make a difference in the world. From that point on, I'm on autopilot.
Trend Themes
1. Collaborative Business Development - The Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project's focus on collaborative business development presents an opportunity for businesses to work together and level the playing field between small and large corporations.
2. Interactive Learning - The Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project's process behind interactive learning could transform traditional education systems and result in new education technology applications.
3. Social Business - Dwight Chestnut's involvement in the social business sector presents an opportunity for companies to invest and innovate in social practices that transform social behavior.
Industry Implications
1. Education Technology - The Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project's interactive learning process presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for education technology companies to transform traditional education systems.
2. Small Business - The Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project's focus on collaborative business development presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for small businesses to level the playing field with larger corporations.
3. Social Innovation - Dwight Chestnut's involvement in social business presents an opportunity for companies to invest in and innovate social practices that improve social behavior.
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