Robb Smith for Free?

Hi, all!  I just got Integral Life's latest newsletter, and in his plea for donations (scroll to bottom), Robb Smith says that he's been working for Integral Institute pro bono.  I was shocked.  Does anyone know anything about that?

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

I was surprised likewise, Tely.  Times must be difficult over there?

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

I think it was common knowledge when he took up the role. I don't know much about him but I don't think he particularly needs the money, which is just as well, because I-I doesn't have it. I do know the regular staff there work for very low wages, basically anyone working for I-I is effectively subsidising the whole venture to some extent.

I think in terms of financial appeals, it keeps him “clean”……….we know there is no other agenda.when he asks for funds it's not to hike his own salary. maybe the banks should take a lesson?

Liz

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

I agree Liz. I have a lot of confidence in Robb both professionally and personally and think he has being doing an outstanding job with a 'wild bunch' of dedicated enthusiast.
I think the moment is pregnant and who knows  what will emerge going forward … When I get back to work, I'm going to want to donate more. I would consider it 'conscious investing'.
Cheers,
Doug

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

We have been having the 'financial' discussion over on Integral Life to some extent.  We have been talking about the over-the-top marketing schemes that seem to be popping up all over in high-priced spiritual events. It seems that the integral movement was doing a lot better financially before they started with the advertising that really, on some level, 'feels' insulting.  Who remembers the “what's with the advertising?” thread on Integral Naked.  
It is fine for Robb Smith and others to be donating their time, but this is not a sustainable model, and in my opinion reflects a weakness in the 'integrity' of the whole.  It is sort of like thinking that we can all be environmentalists and live in eco-housing and lower our carbon footprint as long as we win the lottery to do it.  It is ridiculous. Everybody needs a living wage for a sustainable healthy life, and certainly all the people working at II need this too.   It is part of  healthy orange and green memes having been included and nourished in the unfolding of the integral spiral.  In my opinion, the integral economic model must reflect the deeper philosophy of creating a mutually enhancing relationship with the each other and the entire earth community. (healthy green)
I continue to consider the day when II was growing by 40 members/day, increasing revenues by $12,000/month…. just before the horrible advertising started popping up everywhere and the Helen(e) fiasco…… I was really excited about the development and being part of it in some small way.  
I am not really that excited anymore.  I am much more intrigued with Don Beck's Spiral Dynamics approach and workshops.  I am much more excited by the Transition Towns movement.  I am more interested in what people are actually doing on the ground to begin to work the integral model on the day to day, than all the techniques that seem to focus primarily on up-spiraling, and making a pile of money whilst doing it.  
I continue to wonder what a model of 'integral economics' looks like….and so far, if judging by example, it looks like a spiritual Ponzi scheme for the most part…… and really, I think it is time for these models to crumble.  The earth and our sensibilities can't maintain the delusion much longer. 
Jane

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

Nice note, Jane.  I agree with your sentiments and observations.

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

Jane: I continue to wonder what a model of 'integral economics' looks like…

What makes me chuckle about 'integral economics' is that even professional economists today argue fiercely about general theories; if we can hardly agree on existing economic models, how can we (as a group of untrained dreamers) possibly imagine designing a replacement? Economics, to my mind, as a global system of exchange between people and nations and corporations, approaches the human brain in scope and complexity. The best integral can do, I'd venture, to facilitate that which continues to emerge, is to do was it does best–consider perspectives and serve as a point of awareness for as many viewpoints as possible.

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

Hey, Siona, That is a good start! 


“Economics, to my mind, as a global system of exchange between people and nations and corporations, approaches the human brain in scope and complexity. The best integral can do, I'd venture, to facilitate that which continues to emerge, is to do was it does best–consider perspectives and serve as a point of awareness for as many viewpoints as possible.”



What interests me is how we are often exchanging 'spiritual' or even left-sided goods for right-sided 'stuff' and the exchange rate is seemingly preposterous…..and at the bottom of the right -ided producers are a lot of very hard working people who are living lives of quiet desparation.  Something just ain't right.   It might take an integral mind to hold all there and really decide to come clean about what has been happening and is still happening in this present territory of economic and ecological collapse. 
Jane

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

It might take an integral mind to hold all there and really decide to come clean about what has been happening and is still happening in this present territory of economic and ecological collapse.

I like this. I think in many ways our future depends on those who can hold the paradoxes or contradictions—that the world is becoming better and worse; that unimaginable goodness lives alongside unspeakable cruelty; that much of what feeds us and keeps us safe comes at a cost to another, etc—and instead of trying to impose some new and better model that will 'fix' these problems, to rest in that discomfort until a natural compassion arises.

And I don't mean that everyone would or should take this approach! There will always be those adjusting and tweaking systems. There will always be those developing new technologies. There will always be those dreaming up new financial products and methods of food production. Integral itself would say this. To my mind, though, each of us, personally, ought find where we might make the most and sweetest difference. And I think integral's greatest service is in the area of awareness of paradox and contradiction and perspective broadening.

Just my $0.02.

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

I found this on the Integral Institute site

Robb Smith is Chairman and CEO of Integral Life, Inc. and CEO of Integral Institute, Inc. He was previously the Managing Partner of Nevada Ventures, Nevada's first venture capital fund. Robb was a co-founder of the Nevada Ventures Nanoscience Program at the University of Nevada. He has served on the boards of directors of Alere Medical, National Car Wash Systems, modeMD, Sharegate, Optreon, etNetworks and Power Domain. He was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the state of Nevada (2002) and is a graduate of the Venture Capital Institute and University of Nevada.
 
As far as I can gather, Robb acta as CEO for I-I on a Pro Bono basis.
However he is Chair and CEO of Integral Life. Integral life undertakes to donate 2.5% of its profits to I-I.  

I think the big events, such as the ISE are run by Integral Life..we've already had some discussion about the fees charged for those events. I would guess these events are income generators which go to fund the wider range of Integral Life activities……

I don't know how clear people are about who they are supporting when they buy into these things, but from what I can see there is no intention to mislead anyone. So long as people are happy to support INtegral Life then thats fine. I think the difference now is that the web subscriptions which were touted on e-mail this week are for Integral Life, so people need to understand 97.5 % of that doesn't go to I-I, whereas subs to the old Integrated Naked went directly to I-I.

I don't know whether its really all one big pot and one big venture or whether it matters. Or whether the separation of theory and the business arm is important or simply administratively convenient..or essential. Sometimes that kind of separation protects parts of organisations, so that if, say, the conference business crashes, it doesn't take the whole organisation with it.

I suppose at the end of the day, we just need to decide individually where we want to put what resources we have.

Liz

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

It's hard to make assumptions about what we know or don't know about the financial health of Integral Life or I-I.  My unsubstantiated guess is that both entities have been operating in the red since their inception.  Also, to clarify, Robb stated he was working for I-I for free, not Integral Life.  They are separate entities and being that I-I is a non profit, it makes sense for him to donate his time and have the tax advantage.
 
Speaking to conscious business, I was just reading about how Proctor and Gamble went through all of their products and determined their carbon footprint.  Other companies have done this as well and at first, the business world looked at it as another marketing tactic to label something 'green' or whatever.  What I see developing is the increased power of information and how consumers will be driving the course of business more and more.  The business model has long been based on supply/demand.  With the birth of the information age, the supply chain changed drastically and now consumers can shop globally (for some things) without the aid of big business.
 
Facilitating that which is emerging as Siona says, will be much easier for those businesses that are really thinking in global terms and growing their models based on global economy indicators.  This of course would include the awareness of models like Spiral Dynamics and others.  China and India are huge growing consumer markets and will quickly be changing the face of consumer driven business.
 
Once we in the West are surpassed by emerging countries in our consumption, the attitude of entitlement will be altered and the focus (which is also emerging here due to the current downturn) will be on meaning.  The combination of information, reduced influence on what goes to market and the development of the country (I hope) to the next stage, will bring the West into a more conscious consumer marketplace.  Those companies that have crated a plan on the emergence of the new stage will grow, those who are still operating under old business models will be scrambling to make the shift and may not survive.  Integral Leadership and business models have a real chance to make a difference in the marketplace and my hope is to be a part of this emerging leadership.
 
<edit, Liz and I posted at the same time, thanks for the detail Liz>

Re: Robb Smith for Free?

Very insightful post, Gina.

It occurs to me from Robb's post that I-I needs a broader donor base if it can't self-sustain on I-L Product. I don't think the enterprise would ever have gotten as far as it has without the small number of large donors who supported it in earlier. But…
As I saw with the Obama Campaign phenomenon, a large number of small donors can have a huge impact on outcome. Becoming a paying member of Integral Life is one way to do this. 
Taking the perspective of being a victim of some external  force may be rich ground for shadow projection and an attitude of entitlement as you seemed to be pointing towards Gina.
I don't believe the old models of opposition (victim/perpetrator) between rich & poor are all that helpful in building a new sustainable global economic system. And, using an AQAL lens to view these problems/solutions has the best chance of not overlooking useful perspectives.
Cheers,
Doug