Module 7. Ch. 10-13 Friedman's The World Is Flat

Why are some countries or regions better at doing things than others?  Well there are a few reasons.  One reason is known as introspection.  We all know that introspection is a tough thing to do.  It is hard to look at ourselves and specifically point out the various ways that we could improve.  In chapter 10 of The World is Flat Friedman points out that this is an important step that separates the mediocre countries from the thriving countries.  He argues that progress is halted if a country is not continually performing introspection on itself.  I agree with him.  I know from personal experience that introspection is tough, and I feel that you need a specific kind of attitude to have it turn out to be a benefit rather than a hindrance.  If you look at successful teams, people, and business you will find that they each perform some kind of introspection and are constantly working to improve their weaknesses.  He lists a few other ways countries can stay ahead.  First, is to have the right infrastructure to connect more of your people with the flat-world platform-cheap internet and mobile phones.  Second is to have the right educational system to get more of your people innovating and collaborating on a flat-world platform.  Third, have the right governance –from fiscal policy to the rule of law to the quality of the bureaucracy-to manage the flow between your people and the flat-world platform in the most productive way possible. (The World Is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman. Pg. 408).

A phrase that many of us hear today is that the customer is king.  This phrase has been proved more correct as the world has become more flattened.  As the world has flattened more and more, the power that the consumer has, has grown immensely.  They are known as self-directed consumers.  Back in the “older days” There were not as many resources open to the consumer at an ease that there is today.  If the consumer was unhappy with their bank for example it was harder for them to switch and move on.  However, today it is a lot easier to switch banks, or to go shopping somewhere else for a product.  Business’ can lose consumers right and left if they are not careful.  Loyal consumers are very valuable, and it is tough to keep them in today’s world because of the many tools that they have to “take their business somewhere else” if they are not happy.  I am a self-directed consumer.  I do understand that mistakes are made and people have bad days, so I may not change as quickly as some, but if it continues, I will take my business somewhere else.  This flattening globalization is not and Americanization as Friedman says, it is open for everyone.  As discussed in previous chapters it is clear that anyone can contribute and share their ideas, their culture, their beliefs, and their stories.  It is clear that the whole world is getting affected by the flattening event.