[MrBill]

"If old answers don't work, start asking new questions." Tias Business School.

If anyone is interested in a slightly different type of book than the usual selection of doom and gloom tomes then I would like to recommend Visionary Marketing, Building A Sustainable Business, by Rudy Moenaert and Henry Robben. www.lannoocampus.com

Originally written in Dutch the book is now available in English. I helped do some of the research and case studies for the book, so I am quite biased. However, unlike other 'marketing books' this book is about how strategy helps build a sustainable competitive advantage when firms choose to differentiate themselves by creating value for their customers. Not just by selling to them.

In the context of post peak oil resource depletion only those businesses that can successfully deal with social, economic and political change that reflect the new physical reality will survive. So whether you are investing in these businesses or trying to run one yourself you have to recognize what is and what is not sustainable, and realize that the key to strategy is knowing what not to do. Seen through the lens of a sustainable competitive advantage you may see yourself working on a sinking ship or in a fading industry, and may want to consider jumping into a new career or firm sooner rather than later.

The reality of peak oil means the three key questions: where are we now; where do we want to be; and how do we get there? are more topical and more urgent than ever.

[mrobert]

@MrBill

You are right on the concept. I run a small software studio, and I like to keep in touch with our customers, discuss with them, listen to their needs, etc.
It does build a lot of value and always makes people come back.

[mark]

Peak oil was such a shock when I discovered it in 2004 that I launched on a learning curve that has not abated.

Most focus on energy depleation; I believe that is but a symptom. If fact, almost every so-called problem can be seen as a symptom. The answers are obvious once you've arrived at the right question. Of course, that's where most people come up short. They focus on solving the symptom, which is understandable since the symptom is so huge. But, that's not where the problem lies. However, it's not so simple to state the real question since that is also a function of each and every individuals grasp of reality.

In my own interpretation of events, I think this is the most valuable time we humans have experienced in a very long time. It is up to each of us to use this learning opportunity to our best advantage.