MBA student writes sustainability thesis on Cranmore Foundation Mr Charles V Towle, a graduate student at San Francisco State University has received a distinction for his thesis on sustainability and the work of Cranmore Foundation. Mr Towle’s thesis makes the case for the need for a new quality of thinking in addressing today’s complex global problems, which he describes as ‘wicked problems’. He explores emerging models of thought aimed at creating sustainability solutions such as the work of Michael Porter and Mark Kramer as well as Umair Haque. His thesis goes on to explore the premise of Cranmore Foundation’s work with wisdom traditions. Further he presents the conceptual outline of one wisdom model articulated by the foundation that supports sustainability.

1. Values for Value Creation
Wisdom tradition principles for sustainable prosperity
By Charles V. Towle, MBA Student
Business 899– Special Study with Cranmore Foundation
Professor Murray I. Silverman, Department Chair, Management
San Francisco State University
May 27, 2011
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2. Introduction
Crisis and ambiguity
Global systems are in crisis. Despite significant gains in science, technology and
management know-how, the world is confronted by a breakdown of financial, business,
governmental, societal and ecological systems. All of this presents us with a new order of
complexity. In an era where “discontinuity is the only constant” leaders are in need of a different
quality of solution if they are to successfully meet the challenges ahead. (Nonaka & Tekeuchi)
Information and the speed of access to data is not enough. “All the knowledge in the world did
not prevent the collapse of the global financial system”. (Haque, Umair) It seems that our
modern global culture has arrived at a place where “the ability to lead wisely has nearly
vanished”. (Ibid)
This unprecedented crisis raises questions even about the future viability of capitalism as
we know it. Paul Samuelson in the New Perspectives Quarterly (2009) posits that “today we see
how utterly mistaken was the Milton Friedman notion that a market system can regulate itself”.
(Ibid) It seems that Adam Smith’s notion of the market’s self-regulating “invisible hand”
deserves a new scrutiny when Alan Greenspan comments that “the whole intellectual edifice” of
financial economics “collapsed in the summer [of 2008]”. (Ibid) The causes of this crisis can be
attributed to “wicked problems”. (Rittel & Webber)
In simple terms “wicked problems” can be described as unique and difficult to define – in
fact they are often not understood until after a solution is formulated. (Ibid) Further, they: have
no stopping rule; are neither true nor false but better or worse; they can be symptomatic of other
problems; and their solution is a ‘one shot’ operation due to constraints that do not allow trial
and error. In recognising the “wicked problem” nature of the current crises, Barack Obama’s
chief economic advisor and former Harvard President Larry Summer said that “large swaths of
economics are going to have to be rethought”. (Haque, Umair) Furthermore, the complex
structure of global systems contributes to the creation of “super-wicked problems” (Lazarus &
Richard) which have the additional conditions where: there is no central authority; time is
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3. running out; those seeking to solve the problem are also causing it; and hyperbolic discounting
occurs.
In searching for solutions to our super-wicked problems some thinkers have argued for
the need to evolve a new model of prosperity that would revitalise our fundamental notions of
capitalism (Haque, Umair), away from industrial age attitudes to one that is more humane,
environmentally resource efficient and sustainable.
In his New Capitalist Manifesto, Umair Haque argues that our crisis is rooted in a “deep
debt” approach to prosperity. This means borrowing assets from future generations while also
shifting the burden of current real costs (externalities) forward to them. He convincingly argues
that this approach is not only unsustainable but is destructive and amoral. (Ibid) He describes the
prosperity of this type of “industrial age capitalism” as the creation of “thin value” and argues
that we need a new way of thinking that is aimed at “thick value” creation. While being a strong
advocate of the capitalist ideal, he argues that “thin value” prosperity grew out of the “game
reserve” abundance of the industrial age era – a time when there was no awareness of the
problem of finite natural resources. Our current shrinking bank of resources demands a new view
of “thick value” creation that meets the needs of everyone, which he analogously likens to the
tight confines of an “ark”, where the presence and actions of one passenger immediately affects
everyone else.
In “Creating Shared Value”, Michael Porter and Mark Kramer echo the need for a “thick
value” model of prosperity in their argument for the “creation of shared value” (CSV) that
addresses not only stakeholder needs, but also the needs of the broader host communities where a
business operates. (Porter & Kramer) In this they advance the notion of re-vitalising capitalism
by reframing attitudes to encompass the society at large, “bringing business and society back
together”, and in so doing create new markets and new prosperity.
Holistic-leaning ideas like “thick value” and “shared value” are not only new to business
thinking but would be anathema to the business ethics of industrial age capitalism. In responding
to the changes and challenges of early 21st century capitalism Haque, Porter, Mark and others are
following Einstein’s adage that “a problem can not be solved by the same consciousness in
which it arose”. Ideas like “thick value” and “shared value” are beginning to shape the contours
of potential solutions to today’s wicked problems. They are based in a broader view of society
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4. and capitalism’s role in serving the needs of society. Yet they are, arguably, the important
beginning of a new type of business consciousness that will help shape the future of sustainable
business.
Solutions to wicked problems requires one to think outside of the paradigm in which one
is operating. To achieve this, one will ideally have access to new sources of inspiration. Business
thinkers are indeed exploring for new sources of inspiration in addition to the rational, discursive
and efficiency models of industrial age capitalism. In fact it is in response to the singular and
overly rational mode of thinking and its unwanted by-products that new ideas like corporate
social responsibility have gained currency. Responding to consumer demands and following
guidelines in SA 8000, new legislation was written that addressed the injustice of child labour
and fair treatment for workers. What is now generally accepted as good common sense is in fact
quite recently implemented in the last ten years.
The search for better solutions have also taken business-thinking into the realm of
aesthetics, resulting in Daniel Pink’s claim that the “the MFA is the new MBA” in his book “A
Whole New Mind – Why Right Brainers will Rule the Future.” (Kennicott, Philip) The
Götenborg University of Business, Economics and Law hosted a “Design of Prosperity” Summit
bringing together thinkers from science, technology, humanity and the arts along with business
and economic thinkers for a trans-disciplinary discussion on the driving forces that affect our
present and future societies and their prosperity. The exploration of aesthetics is the result of a
recognition that those people who count value are not necessarily the people who create value.
Also that creating the “value experience” generates loyalty, participation and deep emotional
connection – a direct counterpoint to the rational, discursive model. CEOs from Eriksson, Volvo,
Nokia and other companies met with leading designers to explore the question of how to create a
better prosperity. The result was a recognition that the “rhapsodic mind” contributes at the
collective as well as the individual level.
Another source of inspiration for seeking new answers is the emergence of the topic of
‘spirituality in business’, with books like “Reinspiring the Corporation” by Mark Scott. He
argues that until recently business has focused largely on ‘the external’ with examples like
Theory X, Theory Y and Sigma Theory. His idea is that the next generation of development will
move away from the logical and discursive to the internal, to the “soul of business and the
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5. consciousness that drives business”. With an increase of titles on the subject such as “The
Inspired Manager” by Shabeer Ahmad & Maaz Gazdar; “Spirituality Inc.” by Lake Lambert;
“Islamic Business Ethics” by Dr. Rafik Issa Beekun and “Jewish Wisdom for Business Success”
by Rabbi Levi Brackman, the trend towards seeking new perspectives that will help deepen and
revitalise a more conscious capitalism such as that advocated by organisations like the Conscious
Capitalism Institute indicate a trend towards the “changing mind” of modern business.
This paper explores a new and further source of inspiration for reframing our attitudes
towards success and prosperity, which is found in the work of the UK based, Cranmore
Foundation. The Foundation researches the world’s wisdom traditions to identify what it calls
“universal principles” that support sustainability. Working with ‘culture-bearers’ from the
different traditions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Indigenous cultures
(Shamanism) to name a few, the Foundation aims to articulate those universal principles as
“design principles” for practical use in business, organisational development, education and
government.
Why Wisdom Traditions?
Wisdom traditions are repositories of collective human experience built over the
millennia. The quality of the knowledge found in these various traditions is acquired from direct
first-hand experience, not experimentation and peer review. As such it is not “scientific”
knowledge per se, but as Professor Mircea Eliade described its rooted in a deep collective
subjective that describes the way things are for the benefit and survival of future generations.
Such traditions are often, but not exclusively, orally transmitted and are thus more inductive
(received wisdom) than deductive (empirical). The “truths” of these traditions, their principles
and values are presented as parable, stories and metaphors that make access easy for anyone, but
may also make them seem provincial or simple. Thus these knowledge repositories can often
seem naïve to the modern mind, yet buried within their symbolism is a practical view of how
things are and how things work.
Wisdom traditions may offer us inspiration for not only better solutions, but also different
solutions, because their starting point assumes that the world is more than material or empirical,
rather it is deeply layered in ways not easily accessible to the singular rational or scientific mind.
This deeply layered approach is holistic in perspective as it recognises the inter-connected web
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6. of life, of people, nature, actions and reactions, economies, societies and individual and
collective identities. It recognises that there are different qualities of mind and consciousness and
that a better mind, refined by observation and reflection is able to perceive reality in a different
way that accounts for the subtle dynamics of the interconnected web of life. It is from this place
of wholeness, of seeing “the world as one”, that wisdom traditions guide individual efforts
towards a harmonious existence, sustainable in the long run because such existence does not alter
the delicate balance of natural reality. Thus the superior mind steeped in such a disciplined
relationship to everything has a superior perception of reality that can justly be called “wise”.
How do wisdom traditions claim that we can create sustainable systems? In very simple
terms they state that there are two different ways of being and living in the universe:
1. Living in accord with the universe and natural law – which leaves no negative
results
2. Living out of sync with the universe and natural law – which produces negative
results and further complications
The cultural and knowledge repositories of wisdom traditions are therefore aimed at realising the
former. When they talk about the nature and well-being of man, by extension they are also
talking about the vitality of business affairs. If they describe the potential of the enlightened or
perfected individual they are also implying the creation of the perfect business – one that meets
the needs of its shareholders, employees, stakeholders, society and the greater world in which it
operates.
The promise of these traditions is that acting in accord with universe principles results in
the creation of shared value and deep value. Their wisdom gives underpinning and meaning to
the importance of shared value and its resultant prosperity. What follows is the presentation of
one holistic model found in both Indo-Vedic and Chinese cultures. We will explore it as a
potential model that supports decision making that would lead to the creation of prosperous
sustainable systems.
A brief definition of ‘universal principles’
By universal principle we mean that which is axiomatic – the self evident which requires
no proof, or a universally accepted principle or rule. In wisdom traditions a universal principle
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7. applies generally to most everyone in most circumstances. They are understood as the underlying
principles that “carry life” and which define the conditions with which everyone must deal with.
While there is not much room in post-modern thinking for the idea of a universal anything,
common sense and experience tells us that there are indeed principles that underpin human
existence and experience. When we say that these principles are axiomatic, we do not mean
necessarily perfect unanimity, but rather a wide applicability.
Equally important to an understanding of wisdom tradition notions of universal principles
is that they are normative as well as axiomatic. Their existence and influence in human affairs
creates continuity and consistency in the outcome of human effort.
Many wisdom traditions talk about universal principles as “the law” or nature’s way of
ensuring continuity and enduring quality. That which goes against the law will experience the
results that accrue to the “out-law”. One example of our changing mind in this regard recognises
that working with nature and within her law holds out the promise of a new model of enduring
and benign prosperity that carries no negative effects. McDonough & Braungart in their “The
Next Industrial Revolution” article presents one such alternative approach that acknowledges
that the deep interdependence between business and nature is inherently and potentially fecund
and productive. (McDonough& Braungart)
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8. Three Approaches to Business - Expanding our Frame of Reference
Wisdom traditions begin by seeking to expand the frame of reference of the individual by
degrees, away from the selfish and narcissistic, to encompass a more broad minded perspective
that recognises one’s essential role within the greater whole. They create context by expanding
one’s frame of reference to account for factors outside of one’s self, such as others, society,
nature and the world – even up to the idea of the universe itself.
In researching the Indo-Vedic wisdom tradition, Cranmore Foundation has identified
three perspectives or approaches defined which the Foundation describes as the Narrow, the
Broad and the Deep.
The Narrow approach can be described as ‘business as usual’, where the priority is short-
term profit at the expense of everything else. In this approach business is not concerned with the
long-term consequences of its actions — externalities like pollution, depleted natural resources
or adverse social impacts are not accounted for. This “thin value” (Haque, Umair) approach
works against the larger long-term interests of business by limiting its perception of opportunity.
This “narrow conception of capitalism has prevented business from harnessing its full potential
to meet society’s broader challenges”. (Porter, Michael & Kramer, Mark)
The Broad approach is symptomatic of the “superior mind” of a more conscious
individual or business. Such an individual accounts for its relationship with the world and is by
degrees more responsive and responsible to a larger circle of stakeholders than those taking the
narrow approach. Companies that take a broad approach invest in stakeholder relationship
management [SRM] programs (Sisodia, Wolfe & Sheth), CSR initiatives, humane partnering
approaches to their work force, and acknowledge their responsibility for the impact of their
externalities. Yet, the Broad approach does not guarantee a sustainable reality, something more is
required. (Hart, Stuart)
The Deep approach, according to the degree of its application, gives the perspective
needed to achieve genuine sustainability. It is characterised by a deep awareness of the
interconnected web of life and nature and operates consciously from a place of service, care and
contribution for the greatest possible good. It acknowledges the interests of an expanded set of
stakeholders and thinks of its good as non-different from the good of all. (Savitz & Weber) The
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tic b recognised b
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common ground is what Savitz and Weber ca the ‘susta
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Cradle to cradle
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10. Spiritual existence at the Activities and Deeper quality of life indicators ‘deep sustainability’
Deep centre stakeholders seen in
Moral indicators Feng shui / Vaastu
terms of deeper / inner
meaning of life Spiritual indicators Spiritual practice
Synergy Sacred nature of work Beauty (?)
‘Effortless effort’
Values for Value Creation – Principles that Support Sustainability
There are four principles or values found in the Indo-Vedic and Chinese traditions that
support the creation of vital, harmonious sustainable systems. A brief explanation of their origin
in the Puranic literature of India is given in Appendix A.
The four values appear deceptive in their simplicity but on close study, their presence in
any individual, organisation or system makes them vital. Not only their presence but their
interaction with each other results in a dynamic condition of progressive development through
iterative cycles of improvement over time. They interact with each other, modify and enrich each
other’s presence and create stability. Where one is lacking, or the interaction between two or
more are weak, the result will be a diminished vitality. The four values are:
Truth
Respect
Standards
Effort
A brief summary of each follows below. The descriptions and expositions that exist in the
original Sanskrit text are extensive. For brevity’s sake, what is presented here is based on the
work of the Cranmore Foundation and is rephrased to the needs of the subject of business. We
will elaborate on these four values later in the paper.
Truth
This is the first cardinal value which can be described as the “essential purpose and
function” of a business. This truth relates to the nature and quality of a business or its raison
d'être — its core truth. This can be understood in different ways and to different levels. When a
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11. company defines its ‘mission statement’ well, it is giving voice to its core truth. To keep a
business vital, it must reflect on and live its truth purely, without distortion or dissonance. The
word truth is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “that which endures, that which exists,
that which has value”. The principle of truth thus implies one’s “authentic existence”, that which
has “integrity and impeccability”.
Respect
This second cardinal value can be summarised as vital, harmonious relationships. This
relates to all the stakeholders, beginning with customers and extending outwards. It can be
summed up in the aphorism: “do least harm – do most good”. This is the guiding principle that
defines the expression of an individual or business’s expression of their core truth. It extends the
awareness of self away from the selfish and narcissistic to encompass the “everyone” and gives a
guide rule not dissimilar to the Golden Rule. More importantly it defines the domain in which
one’s core truth can only be fruitfully realised, which is the domain of relationships. The word
respect is translated from the Sanskrit word which means “non-violence” or “no-violence”.
Contained within this proscription is the prescription to “do only good”.
Standards
This third cardinal axiom defines the criteria for success – both for the expression of the
core truth of an individual or business and also as guides to creating and maintaining vital
relationships. Standards set the bar for evaluating success in all spheres of a business. They also
help eliminate the unwanted, or impure elements that would adulterate the quality of a business’s
core truth and the vitality of its relationships. Standards also provide strategic guidelines for
compliance, accounting, quality control, design of policies, design of products and overall
management and planning. The word standards comes from the Sanskrit word for “cleanliness”,
“purity”, or “refinement”, which implies the criteria by which one can achieve such a state.
Effort
The last cardinal value is effort or the disciplined application of energy, probably the
principle most familiar to business along with standards. Yet, here effort as a value is not just the
prosaic work of getting things done, but incorporates a range of action including: work;
efficiency; responsibility; accountability; sacrifice; discipline; structure; the ardour of simplicity;
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12. and economy (more from less or leveraged effort). The word effort is derived from the Sanskrit
word which literally translated means “the fire of austerity”. In this we have an idea of the deeper
connotation of effort as requiring “great focus”, “discipline” and “precision” which when applied
within the deep approach described above gives something called “effortless effort”, or a
harmonic resonance of effort that results in exponential outcomes from minimal effort.
Four Values in Harmony
When all four of the above values are present in a system we can observe an elegance,
efficiency and symmetry as much as one can observe the same in well designed architecture or a
masterfully executed oil painting. This state of symmetry is achieved through the interaction of
these four values, where one supports and refines the other, which in turn works in compliment
with the other two. Brief examples include:
Truth & Respect
The authentic and impeccable expression of a company’s core truth deepens and supports
it’s relations with its customers and stakeholders;
Taking care to do most good in its relationships means that a company seeks to provide
best of class products and services in a manner that directly addresses the needs, wants and
interests of its customers. In a broad or deep application this would extend further out to anyone
who would be touched by the company’s efforts.
Standards & Effort
Clearly defined standards and criteria set the benchmark for efforts and provide a means
to evaluate success;
Focused, disciplined efforts create the high quality outcomes defined by standards; in
striving for simplicity, economy and precision, effort helps achieve design criteria laid out in
standards.
Truth & Effort
A company’s essential purpose and function, its authentic identity guides its efforts,
ensuring that all undertakings are in support of the realisation of its essential aims;
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13. Its effort – its discipline, focus and expense of energy support and deliver the outcomes it
needs to thrive in the market place and conduct fruitful relationships.
Truth & Standards
A company’s core truth is realised in iterative, on-going cycles of refinement and
improvement; its truth helps define the criteria of its success.
A company’s standards eliminate the unwanted, refine its existence and improve its self-
worth and market worth. A company relationships are enhanced when it expresses itself with
clarity in all its dealings.
Respect & Standards
Business happens in the domain of relationship which are maintained and nurtured by
values and high standards;
Standards set boundaries and rules of engagement, they define what is expected both
from the company and customer; they offer guidelines on mutual benefit and improvement.
Respect & Effort
Relationships and effort go hand in hand. Relationships take investment and require
diligence and care if they are to be vital, honest and rewarding;
The quality and condition of relationships define what is needed to make a company
successful. Reflecting on the condition of a company’s relationships with itself and its
profitability (narrow); the larger market and the society it lives in (broad); and its relation with
the world, the environment, and the universe (deep); give a company a chance to improve and
refine its relationships according to its perspective and approach.
Deep application of the Four Values
To address the complexities of wicked and super-wicked problems we can use the four
values above to define and refine our approach to business. Using the inspiration of this wisdom
framework we can reflect on the condition of our business and its relationship to the world
around it. By expanding our frame of reference away from the short-term of the narrow approach
to the long-term all-encompassing deep approach we can, using these four values, take strategic
steps toward the creation of “thick value” and “shared value”. In fact the premise of Cranmore
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14. Foundati is that we should be able to obser these val
ion e a rve lues operatin in successful,
ng
sustainab
bility-oriente companies.
ed
(Cranmo Foundation ©200
ore 09)
Four val
lues case notes
What follows is a cursory review of a few compa
W s y anies and wh
hether and to what extent
o t
they follo the four values in the execution of their busin
ow v e o nesses. We l
looked at com
mpanies suc as
ch
oods, Harley Davidson, Apple, Google, Southw Airlines, Yamaha an others. What is
Whole Fo y west , nd
encourag
ging is that th are inde a numbe of compan who are working the way from the
here eed er nies eir m
narrow th
hrough to the broad and beginning to approach t fringes of the deep. H
e o the However, we did
e
not find any solid exa
a ample of com
mpanies who are workin at the far end of the d
o ng deep approac
ch,
nor did we expect to. In the end we chose Ap
w . w pple, Google Whole Foo and Sou
e, ods uthwest Airlines
for their demonstrabl qualities as companies working to
le a s oward a broa applicatio
ad on.
Our primary sources for case studies are books, a
O s c academic jou
urnals, and c
corporate
websites. The source provided enough infor
es e rmation to in
nitiate the ca studies an are indica
ase nd ative
rather tha conclusiv
an ve.
Thesis—A
Antithesis
We could hav filled our pages with plentiful exa
W ve p amples of co erating with the
ompanies ope
narrow approach or worse. This is no surpris given the crisis of pub confiden with bus
a w se blic nce siness,
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15. especially the finance sector. From falsified financial statements (Enron, WorldCom, Xerox,
Global Crossing), to corporate looting (Adelphia, Bernie Ebbers, WorldCom), to insider trading
(Martha Stewart, Sam Waksal, Galleon Group, One.Tel) the business press is legion with reports
of companies who fail to follow, even superficially, the four values of truth, respect, standards
& effort as described above.
To remedy the problem, business has to be seen to move from the narrow towards the
broad and beyond. Redefining business as a genuine citizen, with all the concerns of a moral and
ethical individual will help redeem business and revitalise capitalism in new interdependent
synergy with society at large. We will now look at a few companies that by degrees, have begun
the process of setting themselves as progressive examples.
Truth – from narrow to the broad and deep
Creating “thick value” begins with vital companies that are dependent on a vital society.
Broad and deep expressions of truth as a cardinal value begin with the aim of providing useful
products and services, in a way that accounts for the costs of externalities. This means no longer
accepting that the world is able to provide infinite high-resource dependent intensity growth
which has dominated capitalism since the industrial era. Businesses of the present can no longer
justify living off the resources of future generations. Hart & Milstein define a sustainable
enterprise as one that “contributes to sustainable development by delivering simultaneously
economic, social, and environmental benefits” to a triple bottom line. (Hart & Milstein)
Google is an example of a company that seeks to authentically achieve its core purpose –
which it describes as a mission to organise the world’s information in useful, universally
accessible ways. (Google Company) Thus to some extent Google is thinking broad in regards to
the delivery of information. (Lyer & Davenport)
Apple’s Steve Jobs defined the company’s truth as the aim of bettering the world through
technology. His approach lay more in the broad especially in his approach to the creation of
quality products that met the needs of customers, but also in this ability to think long-term,
beyond decades to centuries. (Yoffi & Slind)
Taking a broad approach to defining a company’s core truth requires an
acknowledgement of the importance of relationships with the broadest scope of stakeholders.
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16. Respect – from narrow to the broad and deep
Steve Jobs sought to define the core truth of Apple as “cultural force”. (Yoffi & Slind)
Implicit in this is his ability to take a broad approach in expressing the truth of Apple in its
relationships (respect). What is clear about Apple’s success is that it begins with a definition of
its truth with the respect/relationship principle in mind.
Companies that operate with a narrow approach to respect have little concern for
relationships that don’t have an immediate impact on profit. This “thin value” approach defines
worthwhile relations largely to customers and suppliers. Not only does this limit their scope for
identifying market opportunity, but when things go wrong as in the case of BP and Deepwater
Horizon, not taking a broad approach can be costly in a wide variety of unpredictable ways.
Companies that take a broad approach to respect tend to think pre-emptively, to anticipate
what may go wrong can in fact go wrong. This frame of mind is best described as empathetic. It
allows the company to think of the needs of society, and in taking that broad approach it is better
positioned to respond to crisis and uncertainty. Unlike BP which was perceived to be slow to
react and dismissive of collective concerns, a broad approach company will be proactive in
addressing the real concerns of others.
Policies like CSV, CSR, CO2 reduction and others are practical examples of how
companies act broadly in regards to respect. But there are other ways. For example, Google
projects genuine passion to its customers, and seeks to emotionally connect with customers at a
deep level. (Sisodia, Wolfe & Sheth) Google earns a larger share of customers’ wallets as a
result of earning a larger share of customers’ hearts by genuinely approaching them from a broad
perspective. (Ibid) Google views its suppliers as ‘true partners’ and encourages them to
collaborate with Google in moving forward successfully. (Ibid) Apple also take a broad
approach to partnering with its suppliers and thus enjoys stable relationships that help them
respond to their customers. (Thomke & Feinberg)
Another example of a broad approach is Southwest Airlines’ strong partnership
relationship program, where all stakeholder groups are treated as valued partners. None of
Southwest’s airline competitors have this partnership view or enjoy its consistent year-on-year
profitability. (Sisodia, Wolfe & Sheth)
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17. Going Deep
Taking a deep approach to business requires a more expansive, if you will, spiritual-like
outlook that esteems the intrinsic worth of people and nature. It begins by viewing one’s role in
the world as a part of a larger whole, a whole that expands outward to include everything – the
universe itself. This helps those taking a deep approach to encompass the largest possible circle
of stakeholders and more. It begins by recognising that business is not operating in vacuum, in
isolation or without eventual consequences – good or bad. The deep approach is mindful of its
“footprint” and so does not seek to eliminate or hide the results of its actions, rather it seeks to
take the pains (fire) to make the effort to achieve an elegance of execution. It recognises that
such a refining (standards) approach make it a more effective, useful company. On this it banks
it real net-worth and future value. It recognises that as a harmonious vital part of a natural larger
whole, that the nature of things, the natural law, will carry it, support it and sustain it.
Such a deep form of respect can be called “eco-effectiveness” which leads human
industry to be “regenerative rather than depletive”. (McDonough & Braungart) Eco-
effectiveness involves the design of things that celebrate interdependence with other living
systems, a fundamental point of view for those taking the deep approach. (McDonough&
Braungart) From an industrial-design perspective, it means products that work within “cradle-to-
cradle” life-cycles rather than cradle-to-grave ones. (McDonough& Braungart)
Deep respect also expands the time-space frame of reference by asking questions like:
does the product or service ‘do most good’ for the full cycle of its existence?; does it provide
benefit far into the future?; does its use increase the quality of being for everyone?; and lastly
does it create value in a ‘least harm way? If it does, then you have ‘thick value’.
The deep approach creates relationships that have “thick value”, are long-lasting, and
cannot easily be replicated, or mimicked. Deep way relationships add deep value to business
where stakeholders take an active interest in supporting and enhancing the business along with
its functions, products and services and as a result establishing well-being for all.
17

18. Standards – from narrow to the broad and de
m t eep
Narrow stand
N dards are stin and mea
ngy agre. They ar aimed at s
re satisfying the bare minim
e mum
requirem and thus often result in outcome that are no even fit fo purpose.
ment s t es ot or
In contrast a broad approa to standa is expan
n b ach ards nsive and inclusionary. I aims at
It
exceedin the specifi
ng ication. Its empowered by the fire of a strong foc
b f cused effort to achieve
somethin exceptional. This is tr for both process and products, wh
ng rue p hether it be t sourcing of
the g
materials the repleni
s, ishment of natural resource, or aimin for design efficiencie that reduce
n ng n es e
obsolesce
ence.
At Google the is no rigi expectatio for how n offering will integr into the
A ere id on new gs rate
company line. Ther is a balanc between the fire of eff
y’s re ce t ffort, standar and the c
rds creative
inspiratio of employ
on yees (respect). Google executives ex
xpect that a v
values-based culture wil
d ll
deliver in
nnovative pr
roducts that either thrive – or don’t. E
e Elimination (effort & sta
andards) is s
seen
as part of the natural order of thin (Lyer & Davenport) Google tak a broad respect appr
f ngs. t) akes roach
by placin trust in the markets’ ability and right to decide which prod
ng a e ducts are use
eful. (Ibid) This
attitude derives expli
d icitly from th standard which are aimed at liv
heir ds e ving their tru in
uth
harmonio relations
ous ship to their markets.
m
Apple is anot
A ther example of a compa whose st
e any tandards are defined by the central
e
importan of their re
nce elationships (respect). A fundament al part of the on-going product
eir g
refinement (standard is their in
ds) ntegration of customer ex
f xperience an feedback into their
nd
developm process (Thomke & Feinberg This rela
ment ses. e g) ationship bas software design is a
sed
standard now called “participator design”. (Ibid)
“ ry (
18

19. Going deep
Standards are both expansive and precise in their concern for lasting quality for the
greatest good (universal) in the deep approach. Deep standards aim at achieving the exceptional.
They start with great concern for realising the pure essential in any undertaking and with the fire
of effort provide continual cycles of on-going refinement and improvement.
Deep standards result in a different type and quality of value – one that is lasting and
authentic. Possibly the best current example of deep standards is that of cradle-to-cradle design
which starts with the dual aim of nothing impure and everything reusable, thus eliminating the
problem of obsolescence. Setting deep standards, cradle-to-cradle results in what Stuart Hart
describes as “leapfrog innovation, exploration, disruptive innovation, creative destruction and
corporate imagination”. (Hart, Stuart) The deep approach to standards promises the eventual
“rethinking and redesign of industry’s future”. (Ibid) Another example of a radical rethinking
that results in exponential efficiencies and sustainable systems is the early efforts of those
working in the bio-mimicry field such as Janine Benyus, Michael Pawlyn, William McDonough
and Michael Braungart. (Treehugger) Deep standards are, arguably. the basis for creation of
“thick value” and the realisation of sustainable development.
Effort – from narrow to the broad and deep
The fourth cardinal value is the focused application of effort and energy. The expense of
energy is ideally defined by: the aim of expressing and realising the company’s essential purpose
(truth); to achieve lasting, profitable, harmonious relationships (respect); guided by high
standards that catalyse on-going cycles of improvement and refinement; through the disciplined
and economising expenditure of energy.
A narrow approach to effort is aimed at the bare minimum exchange between the
company and its markets to achieve short-term profitability. There is a concern to economise at
the expense of standards and relationships, and a primary concern with the analysis of
efficiencies related to productivity and outputs. In short – industrial age capital rationale.
A broad approach to effort is, by degrees, shaped by the other three values. While the
concern for efficiencies remains, it is enriched by the concern for what one could call “right
effort” or the expense of energy that encompasses a more holistic outlook. The broad approach
19

20. would therefore not be content with production efficiencies that produce cars with faulty breaks,
baby prams that harm the baby or products that may not harm but don’t satisfy. The subject of
effort, work and economising is along with standards common currency in business circles.
Going deep
Deep effort achieves maximum well-being with minimal input. The deep approach to
effort, according to wisdom thinking, is that a company achieves an eventual leverage of effort
that delivers a great deal more than the energy expended. This is what is called “effortless effort”.
Effortless effort can be likened to the results achieved with harmonic resonance, when energy or
effort is rhythmically added to a system in accord with system needs which produces an increase
of gains in energy. We did not identify any examples of companies that have achieved this holy
grail of effort, although we did find examples of companies working their way through the broad
and towards the effortless effort of the deep.
Google and Apple incorporate the discipline (effort) of seeking to redefine their industry,
in a manner that is unorthodox, painstaking and strategically long-term (effort). (Haque, Umair)
One example of Google’s broad approach to effort is the discipline of continual product
improvement in response to stakeholder feedback. This system is so intrinsic to Google culture
that it is now known as “Google’s innovative eco-system”. (Lyer & Davenport)
Apple may be a company that takes a broad approach to effort which borders on the deep.
An example of this is Apple’s self-restraint, which Paul Nunes and Tim Breene remark is an
approach that too few other companies grasp as an essential element of success. This restraint
means that Apple takes an austere approach to their product development, both in terms of
design that is functional, minimal and elegant, as well taking care to not introduce products
prematurely before they achieve Apple standards. Apple refers to this design strategy as
achieving “threshold competence” before scaling. (Nunes & Breene) It seems that Apple has
grasped yet another wisdom idea which is that for growth to be sustainable it must, by degrees,
be gradual (an idea outside of the scope of this paper). In any case Apple recognises that
“slowing down” is a important part of business discipline (effort). This gradual disciplined broad
approach is one of the “game changing ways in which Apple has set out to redesign its industry”.
(Yoffi & Slind)
20

21. A Case Study that demonstrates all Four Values
The foregoing highlights the application of the various values by Apple, Google and
Southwest. The premise of Cranmore Foundation is that companies that apply all four values as
part of holistic strategy should be demonstratively successful and sustainable, to the extent that
the four values are present and mutually supportive. What follows is the example of Whole
Foods, which appears to consciously apply these four values as part of their holistic strategy.
[Note: we do not make any claim that Whole Foods has consciously applied the model or
approach outlined in this paper, although we can conjecture that they may have been inspired at
least in part by wisdom tradition ideas].
Whole Foods articulates their core truth in their motto: “Whole Food, Whole People,
Whole Planet”. This statement identifies their essential purpose and function (truth); their
concern for their relationships and the contribution they aim to make to them; and notably their
broad (and potentially deep) approach to what they do. As such they begin with a broad
perspective which Sisodia, Wolfe and Sheth define as “a vision beyond being just a food retailer”.
Whole Foods demonstrates that their motto is not just a window-dressing mission
statement through their constant measurement of: customer satisfaction (respect); team member
excellence (standards) and satisfaction (respect); and larger extended community satisfaction
and support (respect). They affirm their core truth and build the basis for good employee
relations by hiring “foodies”. (Sisodia, Wolfe & Sheth) Their expressed aim to be an example of
“excellence for food retailers” (Ibid) articulates the high standards that define their company.
Further in their “‘Declaration of Interdependence’ (posted in every store and office) the company
acknowledges the idea that stakeholder groups constitute a family whose members depend on
one another” (respect) (Ibid). In aiming for this, the declaration acknowledges that it’s a
“dynamic process” that requires participation, …communication (respect), listening
compassionately, thinking carefully (standards) and acting with integrity (truth).
Whole Foods is committed to provide goods and services that improve its customer’s
lives (standards & respect); to provide jobs and meaningful work to employees (effort &
respect); and to create wealth and profits to its investors (respect, truth, standards & effort)
(Ibid) The company aims to meet all these concerns in a balanced manner through thoughtful
diligent effort.
21

22. The company stays aligned to its core truth by keeping all four values alive and dynamic.
But does all this ‘happy-talk’ pay off? Or is it just ‘feel-good’? The numbers tell the real story of
sustainable prosperity delivered by Whole Foods.
Over the last ten years Whole Foods has proven to be a better bet for investors than any
of the five biggest grocers: Wal-Mart, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway and Costco. Whole Foods
has returned 185% over the past three years, 400% over the past five (whereas the S&P 500 rose
by only 13%), and 921% over the last ten years. From December 1995 to June 2006 Whole
Foods returned over 1800%. By comparison “Wal-Mart has not added a nickel’s worth of value
to shareholder’s wealth in the past six years” [as at Feb 2007]. (Sisodia, Wolfe & Sheth)
Whole Foods demonstrates that a broad approach to value-creation pays off. The
company is a good example, but not the only one (Apple, Southwest Airlines, Costco, Commerce
Bank, etc.) of companies that are taking a different approach to sustainable value creation.
The question arises as to how companies working to the “thin value” model can “cross
over to other side”? In the pen-ultimate section of this paper, we will explore the possibilities for
applying these values to an existing company. How could a company use these four values as a
guide to achieve greater and sustainable profitability?
Values Creating Value – A hypothetical application
Meet Alpha Capital. Alpha is in the business of providing banking and financing
services to small and mid-cap businesses in the USA and Europe. Alpha addresses a part of the
market that is historically underserviced by big finance. It provides the same quality of
consultative advice, services and a variety of financing products that are geared to the unique
requirements of individual clients. The company is growing and its partners are thriving.
Alpha’s Truth
Alpha prides itself on “saying what they do and doing what they say”. In other words
they present themselves as straight-talking, if not blunt in their approach to dealing with
customers. In doing so, Alpha thinks that customers will value this candid approach and will
understand that such frankness is an expression of their respect for their relationships.
Alpha’s Respect
22

23. In this area Alpha is typical of the banking industry which thinks of themselves as the
“experts” whereas their clients are “less experienced” or “inexperienced” and thus do not
understand the variety of deal structures and their nuanced differences and complexities.
Assessing by reference to the four values model, it is therefore no surprise to learn that
Alpha scores low on the customer/stakeholder satisfaction scorecard. Their dissatisfaction is
taken as “proof” of their lack of financial sophistication and thus Alpha is slow to learn from its
mistakes, such as when clients turn bitter and litigious. Starting out with a lack of respect for
their clients gives them a patronising air that does little to solve the problem of mutually low
respect between Alpha (truth) and its clients (respect/relationships). This lack of respect is
commonly known to be endemic in the banking industry.
Alpha’s internal respect between management and employees is predictably weak, and
there are even considerable differences between managers about the style of approach to clients
and staff, where morale fluctuates in response to a mixture of strong handed management style
and blandishments of bonuses and increased income possibilities. The unspoken opinion of rank
and file staff is that they are undervalued, and that the company “lacks compassion and empathy”.
Alpha’s Standards
In contrast to their respect score card, Alpha do quite well with standards, although the
application is generally confined to a narrow approach.
Alpha takes great concern in meeting high standards of execution with client financial
transactions. It also encourages a strong culture of continuous improvement and refinement in
execution and follow through, which along with a diverse product offering is a principle draw for
new clients.
Alpha is rigorous in: assessing its success in delivering “good deals” to clients; in
evaluating the precision of their products and deals; on its deal success-rate; and its internal
profitability.
Alpha’s Effort
Like many “thin value” model businesses, Alpha excels in this area. In areas like
discipline; economising; reduction of unwanted deals, staff or clients; it is successful. Alpha
cultivates a work-first approach to life for its employees, demands much from them, and is not
23

24. shy to push them in manner sometimes notably disrespectful. “It’s the culture” so its tolerated
and even exulted as a symptom of a “winners-world”.
And in terms of execution Alpha is a winner, again in a narrow sense. The company has a
well-developed, strongly imbedded deal methodology. Precision is the name of the game, both in
terms of detail and execution. In this the company tends to place methods and outcome before
relationships and so has sometimes earned a reputation for being “heavy-handed” and
intimidating. Again, management excuses this as the result of having to do business with the
“uninitiated” in the small and mid-cap markets. Nevertheless, Alpha endures because it delivers
hard sought financing to “needy markets” thanks its strong effort and methodology.
Four Values Recommendations
It is evident from the above that Alpha’s area of weakness and opportunity is with
relationships. If the company could extend its perception to encompass a broader approach, it
would likely find new markets and new opportunities. Further it could achieve its stated long-
term goal of being the “market leader who is setting new standards for a new model of banking
that services the little guy”.
Alpha could redesign its approach to clients along the lines of Whole Foods by seeking to
engage the client as a respected equal. It could potentially broaden its market reach by applying
the same strict standards of execution, to ensuring that customers are satisfied, not just with the
deal but with the experience. In doing so Alpha could muster through referral an extended
community of small and mid-sized businesses to their offering. To do this, Alpha could seek to
engage their clients in a new broad-based model of engagement, assessing satisfaction with
questionnaires and interviews.
Currently there is relatively little competition from companies modelled like Alpha, that
target primarily small and mid-cap companies. However, it is likely that other companies will
enter Alpha’s market. Assuming that they can provide a similar quality of products and services,
they could garner Alpha’s market share by taking a four values approach to relationship building.
This is potentially a threat to Alpha, one that they currently dismiss from their “market leader”
point of view.
24

25. The above comments and suggestions for Alpha are based on a broader application of the
four values, which could arguably help Alpha create sustainable “thick value” success for itself
and its clients.
Summary of paper and concluding comments
Endemic super-wicked problems have created the basis for current ambiguity and crises.
The challenges are unprecedented and require a new quality of thinking that can give context and
perspective to a multiplicity of uncertainties. This paper argues that the logical and discursive
approach is inadequate to solve these problems. As such business thinkers are exploring new
sources of inspiration that can help us collectively reframe our notions of prosperity, away from
a “thin value” model to a “thick value” model that is more inclusive and sustainable. New
sources of inspiration include aesthetics that improve and broaden customer’s experience,
corporate social responsibility programs that respond to the demands for business to be more
socially harmonious, and the emergence of how spirituality and religion can contribute to a better
more enlightened way of doing business.
At the further reaches of these trends is the work of Cranmore Foundation which is
researching wisdom traditions to identify universal principles that can be crafted into design
principles for use in business.
Wisdom traditions may provide a new perspective that gives business a holistic outlook
and context for how to meet current challenges and turn them into market opportunities.
Achieving this is however, not a simple task. “This requires a step-by-step process of identifying,
translating, reformulating and realising the inspiration of the wisdom traditions for practical
application in the daily activities of society and business. Each step in this process is essential
and adds its own value.” (Cranmore) It requires the contribution of: culture-bearers who are
living the tradition; scholars who can give historical and intellectual perspective on these
traditions; ‘rhapsodic thinkers’ who can reformulate universal principles into a language
understandable to those outside of the original culture; designers who can craft these principles
into design principles for practical application in business; and lastly business leaders who are
inspired to apply them for the creation of a new quality of “thick value-based” business. (Ibid)
25

26. This paper has presented the early by-product of this five-step process as a model that
identifies what is required to create vital, sustainable companies. Despite the fact that the four
values model is still being researched, tested and developed, it does demonstrate the potential
useful applicability of ancient wisdom in helping give us strategic context by introducing new
criteria, that gives new focus and prompts us to fundamentally rethink the viability of existing
models. Wisdom traditions are a potential resource and provide inspiration for empowering our
ability to respond to crises and create viable, sustainable alternatives.
Appendix A – The Dharma Model
The four values model outlined in this paper has its origin in the Puranic literatures of
India. Specifically the model appears in the Bhagavat Purana which describes them as the four
essential criteria for the creation and support of Dharma.
Dharma is a Sanskrit word that is taken from the root word, dhri, which means “to
sustain”, “to uphold”, “to preserve” and “to prosper”. It also refers to “natural law” or the
“natural order of things”. In modern vernacular it is often translated as “religion” or “duty”. “The
etymology of dhri can be traced back to the Rig Veda to the root word rta, which means
“nature’s way” and the implicit “order in nature”. Rta resembles the Chinese concept of Tao and
the Heraclitan, Stoic or Christian conceptions of the logos. Dharma is thus thought of as the state
of acting in harmony with all existence. According to the Isopanisad, when one achieves such a
state, they achieve a durable condition that sustains and preserves. (Swami, AC Bhaktivedanta)
26

27. (Cranmore Foundation ©2009)
e )
The four valu are transl
T ues lated and int
terpreted from the follow
m wing Sanskri words, Sat
it tya
(truth), Ahimsa (respect), Sauca (standards) and Tapasya (effort).
A ( a a
The root word for Satya is sat, which means etern true, exi
T d i h nal, isting, endur
ring, authent
tic,
and so on It also im
n. mplies knowle
edge, learnin education and wisdo
ng, n om.
Ahimsa is a compound word based on himsa whic means “v
A n ch violence”. Pl
lacing the let
tter
‘a’ befor himsa give ahimsa meaning non-violence. Th word ahim has two meanings, t
re es m he msa the
explicit proscription to “do no ha
p arm” and imp
plicit prescri
iption to “do most good” The word
o ”. d
recognise the natura human ten
es al ndency to ach
hieve one’s e
ends by disc
cordant mean hence the
ns e
admonition of non-vi
iolence. Its dual meaning thus advoc
d g cates taking an empathet approach to
tic h
dealing with others and the world at large. It also means compassion
w a d n.
Sauca means purity, clean
S nliness, clari and whol
ity lesomeness. The word im
mplies the m
means
by which the state of clarity is ac
h f chieved. It is the criteria for eliminat
s ting the unw
wanted and
realising refinement. Sauca also means “with
hout blemish
h”.
Tapasya is also a compou word der
T und rived from t root word tapa which means fire
the d h e.
Tapasya means the wilful accept
w tance of aust
terity to achi
ieve a higher aim. Implic in the wo is
r cit ord
the idea of renunciati of doing without, simplicity or r
o ion, g reducing thi
ings to their essential ele
ement.
Tapasya prescribes focused actio with the im
f on mplicit obje ctive of a higher minded outcome. A
d As
such, it also means sa
a acrifice or te
emperance. In simple ter tapasya is the wilful expenditure of
I rms l e
effort to achieve one’s goals. It is the discipli through w
s ine which one e
excels.
27

28. The concepts of narrow, broad and deep resonate with the Vedic idea of the gunas, a
Sanskrit word which means “modes of nature”, “conditions of nature”, “qualitative energy”, and
“qualitative states of being”. In Sanskrit the three modes are called sattva, rajas and tamas. They
are the primary colours of “qualitative influence” that mix together and vie with one another to
create the full colour spectrum of possible material condition and experience.
Sattva is derived from the root word sat, again meaning that which is real, lasting and
true. Sattva corresponds to the deep approach, because it represents harmony, goodness,
nurturing, clarity and durability. Sattvic qualities are conducive to sustainable systems. The
iconography of sattva is related to the deity of Vishnu who sustains and maintains everything.
Sattva is the state of harmonious equilibrium.
Rajas is the mode of action, doing, creating and giving life. Its iconography is the deity
Brahma who creates the universe. Rajas is progressive but unstable, energetic but changeable,
expansive but prone to degradation. Rajas relates to the early stages of a broad approach. Mixed
with Sattva, Rajas creates the conditions related to a genuine broad approach.
Tamas relates to the narrow approach because of its innate tendency toward entropy and
reduction. Tamas is the mode of reduction, elimination and destruction. Its iconography is the
deity of Shiva who is responsible for destroying the universe at the end of time. Tamas is meagre,
limiting, and destructive. Its positive purpose is to clear away the old to make way for the new.
The above seven universal principles are found throughout the Vedic and Puranic
literatures and have resonance with Chinese thinking, especially that of Tao.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Prof Silverman for giving me the latitude to work with Cranmore
Foundation to write this paper. I would like to thank Cranmore Foundation for providing
research material on the subject. Specifically I want to acknowledge Associate Prof Bert Mulder
of the University of Den Haag for agreeing to advise me and to Dr Michael Geary of Cranmore
Foundation who provided lecture time, mentoring and editing assistance with this paper.
28

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