A Leap of Faith

During a long car journey through the countryside today I conceived an exciting idea. I was thinking about putting together a list of services that I would exchange with at the time and the idea of a Trade Network suddenly grew out of that. Rather than define it to perfection before putting it out into the public domain I decided to throw it out there and see what happens.

A trade network isn’t a new idea in itself, many communities and co-operatives have been working in this way for years - swapping time and skills without money changing hands. I’ve worked with a few clients on an exchange basis and liked the way it worked, however there’s a limit between what two people can provide each other.

It feels like time to start setting up easy and effective schemes that connect together a wide range of skilled people and bypass the need for money. I know many people to be keen on this way of working, so I assume it’s just the set up and running of it that stands in the way. Often these networks form naturally, but I believe with a little help a small community within a village, town or city could end up with a wide-ranging portfolio of services available to them in exchange for their own time and skills.

This post has been created just to put the idea out there in order to provoke thought and interest. So bear in mind this is quick and easy communication of information as opposed to a formal and edited proposal!

It’s based on idea of swaps or exchanges between two people where no money changes hands, but extending it out so you have any number of people in the network. The network would grow from referrals so you’d have a good basis of trust there and the system would be underpinned by certain values, and a philosophy of abundance, creating a strong resonant community of traders.

There’s a system in existence that operates in certain towns/cities called time-bank which works on a pure time exchange. This Trade Network idea would use certain aspects of that system but traders would still be free to set their price for their time/skills - as they do normally.

The system would work with simple processes and be co-ordinated by a central administrator. The investment of their time and skills being their form of trade within the network. With a clearly defined administrative role and responsibilities, processes, and strong value system, this scheme would practically manage itself.

As businesses start off small and evolve, so would a network of this kind. As more people become involved, the energy, time and skills multiply, meaning there is much scope for development. And none of it requiring finance. For example, if a network became very established the administration could be managed electronically. All investments made in a network’s growth being made by traders within the network for the benefit of the whole. In terms of abundance theory the positive effects for individuals, and the whole, could have a large and very tangible impact.

In some ways this is a new paradigm way of working, and I’m particularly interested in seeing if this idea could fly. Therefore I’m looking for people who are interested in trying it out - groups as small as 3 or 4 are feasible. If enough interest is generated then I will invest more energy in the set up - the structure/processes etc. - which could be rolled out to groups in different geographical areas.

All I would need from participants is a desire to trade with others without any money changing hands, the currency being time, energy and skills only. If the scheme goes ahead each person would be required to document their skills and set a ‘price’ for their time/energy. As in the normal way of working that figure can be per hour, or for a scoped piece of work, and can be open to negotiation if the trader prefers. Some individuals may have a variety of skills and things to trade, maybe at different prices, so bear this in mind also.

To help get your minds working, here are some ideas of who/what maybe useful in a trade network:

• All types of complementary therapies
• Personal Assistant duties
• Social media work
• Accounting & bookkeeping
• Coaching
• Counselling
• Web design
• Administration
• Web content
• Email management
• Marketing
• Business development / consultancy
• Personal development
• Computer services - ie. fixing problems
• Hairdressing
• Massage & beauty services
• Mechanic
• Plumber
• Electrician
• Cleaner
• Childminding
• Dressmaking / Tailoring
• Image consultant
• Personal trainer
• Legal advice
• Gardening
• Removal services
• Music lessons
• Space to hire

…

So if you’re interested in the idea and maybe participating in a scheme then drop me a line at abundantia@ymail.com or text/call me on 07739 567670 - providing your name, contact details, location, and job title/skillset.