Watch this short video by Ellen MacArthur, former world sailing champion, on the possibilities for a bright future of mankind, if we manage to translate the principle of nature (i.e. recycling) into our economy. Full scale. Watch here.
Archiv der Kategorie: Collaborative Consumption
Product Service Systems, innovation and the circular economy
This short video explains very well the possibilities of business models that are not based on ownership transactions. What happens to society when firms retain ownership and rather sell their products as a service? It also means democratizing consumers, who really then become users. Watch here.
Innovation in the circular economy – an excellent video
A short and wonderful explanation of the circular economy, the importance of ownership the the possibilities for innovation. Watch here.
New article on PSS innovations published
SPREE Project
An absolute interesting project to follow. The SPREE Project ist funded by FP7 and will run for three years. A highly experienced group of reseachers, supported by senior experts study the effects of servitization on the environment and resource utilization with the ultimate goal to understand if and to what extent servitization can contribute to absolute decoupling. I am looking forward seeing the results.
Also you might want to have a look at this short video, which the project produced.
MakeSpace in Cambridge
Yesterday, I visited the MakeSpace in Cambridge. A recently started collaborative fablab made possible with generous funding from ideaSpace, the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), ARM, TTP, Microsoft Research and Cambridge Science Centre.
They got great equipment to build whatever you want, from laser cutter, 3D printer, but also the „old school“ equipment for drilling and milling. I hope this space inspires a lot of people to become creative and innovative.
Magazine dedicated to sharing
In Germany a new magazine was recently launched with an emphasis on sharing. Have a look here.
3D printer manufacturer
ARCAM, based in Göteborg (Sweden) seems to be one of the leading 3D printer producer tailoring their devices specifically for medical applications.
By the way, 3D printing is also called additive manufacturing in contrast to manufacturing techniques where material is removel. According to AdditiveManufacturing.com, additive Manufacturing (AM) „is an appropriate name to describe the technologies that build 3D objects by adding layer-upon-layer of material, whether the material is plastic, metal, concrete or one day…..human tissue.“
Business models for 3D printing
3D printings get more and more advanced. A few firms already offer 3D printing services, such as Shapeways, Thingiverse and Ponoko. You either create your design using their software, your own software or choose from a range of their products and materials. This offers many possibilities particularly for user innovations.
Users innovate collaboratively in fab labs
Fab labs are on the rise. One has recently opened here in Cambridge, named „Makespace„. In Hamburg we have Fabulous St. Pauli since 2011. These are places where users can turn their ideas into prototypes using state-of-the-art 3D-printing, but as well more conventional tools such as CNC or drilling machines. A recent brand eins article dealt with the phenomenon, particularly in the context of sharing knowledge, resources and just forming local communities. Several examples exist. Visit also the website of the International Fab Lab Association for more information and several examples. According to the article, the first fab lab in Germany was the „Münchner Haus der Eigenarbeit“ founded already in 1987.
Brand Eins mit Schwerpunkt Teilen
Die Artikel der Zeitschrift „brand eins“, Ausgabe „Greif zu“ (05/2013) sind hier online verfügbar. Es geht um Geschäftsmodelle rund um das Teilen (sharing, leasing, renting, etc.) und inwiefern diese für Unternehmen sinnvoll, also gewinnbringend sein können, mit spannenden Beispielen klassischer Firmen (z.B. Linde AG), von Start-ups (z.B. Flightcar, car2go, DriveNow, Zipcar, RelayRides) und weiteren Beipielen aus dem Altag.
Inspiring TED talk
A short summary of his ideas offered by Tim Jackson in his book „prosperity without growth“. Listen to his TED talk here. Some very inspiring 20 minutes!
Die Renaissance des Teilens und Tauschens
Aktuell beschäftigen sich verschiedene Zeitungen und Zeitschriften mit der Rückkehr des Teilens und Tauschens (Collaborative Consumption). Was Früher einmal aus reiner Notwendigkeit geschah erlebt derzeit eine Renaissance. Nach einer Phase des Konsums entdecken immer mehr Menschen, dass Teilen und Tauschen rational Sinn machen kann. Sie entscheiden sich bewusst für das Teilen und Tauschen und damit gegen den Konsum immer neuer Waren. Ein selbstbestimmtes Teilen und Tauschen hat das Potential zu einer nachhaltigen Verhaltensänderung zu führen: Dem Internet sei Dank. Was mit Musik begann nimmt nun seinen Lauf durch alle Bereiche des Lebens, bis hin zum Deutschen Lieblingsprodukt, dem Auto.
Beispielsweise schreiben Susanne Amann und Janko Tietz im Spiegel (2/2013) „Teile und herrsche – Einst als Öko-Spleen belächelt, reift die Tauschwirtschaft zur coolen Konkurrenz für etablierte Konzerne heran.“ Uli Mayer Johanssen schreibt am 21.02.2013 im Handelblatt über „Tauschen statt besitzen“ und Tanja Nissen hat ein Interview mit mir am 5.2.2013 dazu unter dem Titel „Teilen und tauschen statt kaufen“ im Shz veröffentlicht. Aktuell titeln sowohl der Stern „Teilen ist das neue Haben – Wohnung, Auto, Abendkleid: Wie Teilen und Tauschen unser Verhältnis zum Besitz revolutioniert“ (Stern 10/2013) als auch DIE ZEIT „Wie viel braucht der Mensch? Ewiges Wirtschaftswachstum macht nicht glücklich – ewiger Konsum auch nicht. Was dann? Ein Ausblick in die Welt des Weniger“ (DIE ZEIT 10/2013).