Not long ago we called it “coopetition” theory. A hideous word I thought. But now there’s an even uglier word for the same phenomenon: frenemies.
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I agree coopetition is a bit rough and tough if only used in business, but when I coined it in 1977 it was much bigger then just business. Because I was never given credit for coining the word way before the university guys researched it I did not think it worth making a stink. But today in response to your “ugly” reference, I must stand tall and say you are right and wrong. It is ugly because it is to closely associated with business and only the making more money. But if you elevate it to a metaphysical/spiritual realm, ”I Think”, it is much more beautiful and can apply to a western version of the Tao or today Dao. It is balance of survival and giving at the same time. I have given workshops on it and have a complete philosophy attached to it as a way of being not just how to make a better business deal. I spoke with the guys who wrote the book coopetition and they said in their next book I would be acknowledged, but to date nothing has happened. As part of my new way of being I have created Chegg and Turbitt two mythical creatures that bring together the stories of “What came first the Chicken or the Egg idea” (Chegg) and the story of the turtle and the rabbit (Turbitt). These are to emphasize the balance of quality and quantity (turbitt) and the point that we do not have time to debate what came first (chegg) but must act now with integrity. So I hope you agree, if the higher purpose of new words are defined and not exploited for quick gain or to manipulate others, then they can be seen and heard as more beautiful. I also hope you agree that coopetition (I do not hyphenate it) when used as a term related to the environment and ethics investing takes on a better look. The beauty from my perspective is when people try to be in a state of coopetition and truly get it, they can actually create Cherbitts, which are new ways of solving problems from a practical and philosophical integrated way of thinking and feeling…..If there is Ugly in something there is also Beauty and this is the balance I seek….Enjoy