The Progress Economy

The Progress Economy is the result of pulling an initially small thread – that chasing value may be causing our problems – until the economy is accidentally lying in a pile at your feet, and then knitting it together again on a different principle – that we are all seeking progress (and that value is really the personal judgement – or really, judgements – of progress).

It is not intended to be a radical departure. Rather I see it as we see models of the atom. A model works well to explain things it observes, but there is always a better model explaining more things to be found. And that new model does not negate previous models, rather it offers deeper insights whilst explaining why the other model was useful.

Why?

It’s personal. But first, innovation has a problem; growth is stalling. These are things you likely notice yourself without having to quote McKinsey/PWC etc or the International Monetary Fund.

I myself have ran innovation in a large global account. On one measure we were successful. Wishing a year we built an innovation pipeline of 27 items. I introduced the Lean Canvas as a way to close the gap to business and to communication (and develop) ideas across diverse teams.

On the more important measure, to me, I failed: we didn’t drive any consequential changes. Perhaps if we had more time, perhaps the next idea would be the big one, perhaps…

I wanted to know why, and how to make innovation move from what I later heard Christensen describe as “competing against luck” as Christensen identified, towards systematic and successful approach. It also shows us that sales and innovation are two sides of the same coin.

What I the progress economy?

The Progress Economy is a strategic framework that redefines value creation, innovation, and customer behaviour around a single unifying principle: progress. Rather than focusing on products, services, or transactions, it views economic and business activity through the lens of helping Progress Seekers make meaningful progress in their lives.

At its core, the Progress Economy makes several key shifts:

1. From Value to Progress:
   It reframes “value” not as something delivered or exchanged, but as the outcome of progress experienced by the Seeker. Value is subjective, emergent, and context-dependent – determined only when a Seeker makes meaningful progress.
2. From Customers to Progress Seekers:
   Instead of treating people as consumers or users, the Progress Economy treats them as individuals or organizations actively pursuing progress. Their goals, constraints, and contexts define the basis for engagement.
3. From Offers to Progress-Making Activities:
   Businesses aren’t just offering solutions—they are Progress Helpers. Their role is to support, enable, or accelerate the Seeker’s progress through tailored activities, capabilities, and interactions.
4. From Transactions to Relationships of Co-Creation:
   Value emerges not in the moment of exchange, but over time, as the Seeker and Helper interact, adapt, and evolve toward the Seeker’s desired state of progress.

In this model, progress becomes the true unit of economic activity, and success is measured by how effectively a business enables meaningful, perceivable, and sustainable progress for its Seekers. The Progress Economy provides a lens to rethink growth, innovation, sales, and even organisational purpose – aligning them around the real source of value: the progress people and organisations are trying to make.

The progress economy is a work “in discovery”. So, please check back regularly to see the latest updates.