Blur : The Speed Of Change In The Connected Economy (Warner Books) by Stanley M Davis and Stan Davis

Author: Stanley M Davis and Stan Davis
View book: Blur : The Speed Of Change In The Connected Economy (Warner Books)

Welcome to the new economy – a world of rapid change and blurred lines. In this dynamic landscape, traditional distinctions between buyer and seller, product and service, and employee and entrepreneur are fading away. To navigate this revolutionary business environment, you need a guide. You need BLUR.

In their book, Stan Davis and Chris Meyer go beyond providing a mere tour of these groundbreaking shifts. They present readers with a practical model to understand and capitalize on the new rules of the connected economy. In this economy, advantage is temporary, and nothing remains fixed in time or space.

By showcasing the practices of various forward-thinking enterprises like Amazon.com, DreamWorks SKG, and MBNA America, Davis and Meyer establish a fresh framework. This framework helps organizations deliver and capture value, evaluate success, develop strategies, and manage operations in an economic world no longer determined by static measures of supply and demand.

BLUR offers a lens that brings the emerging economic landscape into focus. In this world, constant change reigns supreme, and knowledge and imagination hold greater value than physical capital. Products and services blend together as “offers,” transactions transform into “exchanges,” and physical markets take on the characteristics of financial markets.

This new economy rewards those who challenge conventional thinking. For example, MCI consistently reorganizes every six months to unleash creativity, while David Bowie has even sold options on his future earnings as an artist. Adaptability is key as companies build flexible networks of business relationships with suppliers, distributors, employees, and even competitors. Individuals become “free agents,” contracting their services to the highest bidders.

BLUR dares readers to question their existing assumptions about business and encourages experimentation at the fringes of the business world. It outlines nothing short of a revolution in business and consumer culture. The question is, will you join this exciting journey?

Rare Photos Not Appropriate for History Books: Unseen Moments in Time

Throughout the years, photography has captured rare and captivating moments that are not typically found in history books. Recently, there has been a surge in the release of previously unseen and freshly uncovered photographs. These pictures range from showcasing atrocities to inspiring scenes, eerie moments, and everything in between.

Paris, France – 1880s: Constructing the Statue of Liberty

In this photograph, we can see the famous New York skyline without the iconic Statue of Liberty. At that time, Lady Liberty was still being assembled by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel. She was unveiled to the wonderment of all on October 28, 1886.

Salvador Dali – 1953: In a Goat-Drawn Carriage

Salvador Dali, known for his eccentricity, is captured here enjoying a ride in a carriage drawn by a goat. While rumors of him using goat feces as perfume cannot be confirmed, his creativity extended beyond his canvas to his real life.

Diving Suit – 1911: The Inventor

In this photograph, we see the inventor Charles E. McGuffey proudly standing beside his newly patented diving suit. Weighing over 550 pounds, this aluminum alloy suit allowed divers to reach record depths of 212 feet in the Long Island Sound.

Russia – 1924: Game of Human Chess

In Soviet Russia, a life-sized game of human chess brought friends together for a unique and entertaining afternoon. Though not as high-stakes as depicted in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, this game of chess was an interesting sight.

The Titanic – 1912: Bon Voyage

This photograph captures one of the last depictions of the Titanic before its tragic sinking on its maiden voyage. The shock and grief that followed reached far and wide, but even today, seeing such images reminds us of the enduring legacy of this historic event.

First Meeting – 1919: Helen Keller and Charlie Chaplin

In this delightful image, Helen Keller, a renowned advocate for the deaf and blind, meets Charlie Chaplin. Keller, who relied on touch to communicate, is seen reading Chaplin’s lips with a playful spirit.

The Canals of Venice – 1956: Cleanup Time

This photograph reveals the monumental task of cleaning and maintaining Venice’s iconic canals. Many laborers worked tirelessly to cordon off, drain, and remove the sludge from a portion of the canals. The scale of this effort and the dedication required was no small feat.

Marilyn Monroe – 1956: The Seven-Year Itch

One of the most iconic images of the 20th century is Marilyn Monroe trying to keep her white dress down while standing on a New York City sidewalk grate. This picture was taken during the promotion of her film “The Seven-Year Itch,” directed by Billy Wilder.

Steven Spielberg – 1975: Jaws

In this memorable movie moment, director Steven Spielberg relaxes in the mouth of Bruce, the mechanical shark used in the film “Jaws.” Spielberg’s youthful enthusiasm as a 27-year-old filmmaker is evident, and the massive scale of the shark prop is impressive.

World War II – Circa 1940: Smiling Russian Woman Soldier

During World War II, over 800,000 women served in the Soviet forces, many in medical capacities. However, some women, like the soldier in this photograph, made it to the combat zones as snipers and gunners. Her smile amidst the horrors of war is a testament to her resilience.

Boston Marathon – 1967: First Woman Runner

In this image, Katherine Schweitzer made history as the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon. Despite facing resistance from officials and race organizers, she persevered and finished the race with a time of 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Montana – 1901: Eligible Bachelors

This photograph showcases a group of eligible bachelors from turn-of-the-century Montana. In an era with limited available women, these men were eager to offer themselves as potential husbands in the vast wilderness of the early 1900s.

Géza – 1870s: On the Road

This photograph showcases the Giza pyramids without the crowds that have become synonymous with them today. In the 1870s, Giza was not a popular tourist attraction, and this image highlights the incredible beauty of the pyramids in their solitude.

Photograph Recording – 1916: Mountain Chief

In this remarkable image, Francis Densmore captures Mountain Chief, a leader of the Blackfoot tribe, on film in 1916. Densmore dedicated her career to preserving Native American musical culture through phonograph recordings, and her work as an ethnomusicologist continues to be cherished.

Disneyland – 1961: Employee Cafeteria

After a year of construction, Disneyland, hailed as the happiest place on earth, opened its doors in 1955. In this photograph, we see Snow White enjoying her lunch with Goofy in the employee cafeteria, with no apples on Snow White’s tray, of course.

Gettysburg – 1913: The 50th Anniversary

Veteran soldiers from both sides of the Mason-Dixon line come together in this powerful picture to assemble and reconcile on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The event was attended by President Woodrow Wilson and brought together 50,000 soldiers who had fought against each other during the war.

James Naismith – 1890s: The Inventor of Basketball

In this image, James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, fine-tunes the game with some practice and assistance from his wife, Maude. Naismith developed the game in 1891, using peach baskets as hoops and just 13 basic rules.

Film Icons – 1928: The MGM Lion

This photograph captures a photo shoot of the roaring lion scene that opens every MGM film. Jackie, the lion in the picture, became one of the iconic MGM lions, appearing in various films, including some classic Tarzan movies.

World War I – Circa 1915: When Bullets Collide

This astonishing photograph captures the moment two bullets collided midair during the Battle of Gallipoli. The battle, lasting over 10 months, was a defining victory for the Turkish army and resulted in the retreat of several Allied countries.

Zero Gravity – 1958: A Cat’s Reaction

In a somewhat unconventional experiment, a cat was used to study the effects of weightlessness in zero gravity. Captain Drew E.P. Parks released the cat from his F-94 Sea Jet at an altitude of 25,000 feet. The cat’s bewildered reaction is well-illustrated in this photograph.

Testing – Circa 1950s: The H-Bomb

This astonishing photograph captures the moment after an H-bomb hit its target during testing. The United States conducted numerous nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll between 1946 and 1958, leaving the area uninhabitable due to the intense radioactivity.

Tourists at the White House – 1981

Pablo Escobar, often referred to as the King of Cocaine, visited the White House in Washington, D.C. This photograph, taken by his wife, captures the moment they spent together. Escobar’s net worth was estimated to be over three billion dollars at the height of his career.

Tour Eiffel – 1932: Painting in the Sky

Brave painters are seen coating the Eiffel Tower with fresh paint in this image. Since its construction, the tower has been painted 18 times, requiring an estimated 60 tons of paint. Each painting process takes a team of 25 workers an entire year to complete.