The Progress Economy

fixing innovation, sales, and firing up growth


Category: Foundation Layer

This is one of four layers in the progress economy and captures those aspects that are at the foundation level. That is, the aspects on which the progress economy is built.

Here you’ll find the principles the progress economy is built upon.

  • progress, including sub pages for
    • progress as a verb / state transition
    • progress as a state
    • progress as a noun
  • value, and why we need to think progress-first, including pages for
    • value-in-exchange – our traditional view, previously successful but with challenging blind-spots
    • value-in-use – the main alternative to the above, solving the blind-spots, but struggles to be actionable
    • value-through-progress – our actionable model, built on top of value-in-use
  • resources, progress is made, and value emerges, from resource integrations. Resources are carriers of capabilities and come in two forms
    • operant
    • operand

There are also articles covering other foundational definitions and ideas:

  • What is service?
  • What is service exchange?
  • What does phenomenological – a word we’ll use a lot – mean?
  • What is service-dominant logic (from which we build the progress economy)
  • What is the innovation problem?

You can find more about the four-layer functional operating system here.

Articles in this category
  • The Innovation Problem

    This content will be a rewrite of this article: https://solvinnov.com/innovation-problem/ Writing / Editing below here What we’re thinking According to McKinsey, 94% of executives are not happy with innovation initiatives – through identifying ways to deliver what progress seekers truly want: better progress. Here’s why, and why it’s a problem… today Back in 2013, Edison, bin […]

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  • Value-through-progress

    The progress economy reframes value creation by focusing on progress rather than static value. Progress is seen as a dynamic movement towards a more desirable state, with value emerging as this progress is made. This approach encourages systematic innovation by addressing progress hurdles and recognizing the complexities and multifaceted nature of value creation.

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  • Value-in-use

    The value-in-use model emphasizes incremental value creation through the active use of value propositions, solving blind spots present in the traditional value-in-exchange model. It focuses on service as the key driver of value, promoting adaptability and well-being without the goods versus services debate. Progress relies on beneficiary judgment, dialogue, and resource integration, encouraging continuous value co-creation and innovation.

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  • Value-in-Exchange

    The traditional value-in-exchange model has been wildly successful. But its narrow focus on a point of exchange and difficulties in defining what value actually is now hinders growth. Sadly, this model encourages incremental over radical innovation, and has blind spots, missing out on opportunities before and after exchanges, and hinders the shift to a circular economy.

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  • Service Exchange

    What we’re thinking We exchange service – helping others progress – rather than value (cash for products). This can be, initially, a challenging aspect of the Progress Economy. Yet service exchange is truly the engine of economic activity since: In simplistic erms, I likely need the resources of someone to help make my progress and […]

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  • Phenomenological

    WHAT WE’RE THINKING Phenomeno-what? I’m with you, what a mouthful! Think of it as the baggage you bring to a decision – all your lived experiences together with what you’re experiencing at the decision/judgement point (your living experience). It’s why you might hate a particular proposition right now, but loved it yesterday; or why you’ll […]

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  • Resources – carriers of capabilities

    What we’re thinking We integrate resources in order to make progress; our progress stumbles when we lack them; and we offer them to others in exchange for other resources we need to make progress. They are fundamental to the progress economy thinking – but what are resources? The literature and everyday language give us a […]

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  • Progress as a verb and a state transition

    Editing below here What we’re thinking In the progress economy we believe seekers are trying to make progress – from their current progress origin to a more desirable state (progress sought) – with everything in their life. Progress can therefore be seen equally as: As such, it is both a super-charged description of a job […]

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  • Progress as a State

    Editing below here What we’re thinking Progress is a state – a snapshot comprising three elements, namely: Discovering and understanding all three elements is critical for understanding seeker’s desires, making progress, progress propositions, value, and pursuing successful innovation. Failing to do so may lead to the next super-market self checkouts… Progress as a state Progress […]

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  • Progress as a noun

    Editing below here What we’re thinking We find it beneficial to name some specific progress states. Firstly, these named states serve as waypoints describing a seeker’s journey on progress attempts. Secondly, they help us explore and explain value in the progress economy; explaining Drucker’s famous quote: Innovate or die Without further delay, let’s delve into the five […]

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