Here we collect in one place a list of what we call the pioneers. They are outstanding examples of organisations (or people) that are breaking new ground in their respective spaces, and from whom we have shared some insights in the playbook. For each pioneer below we provide a link to their main site. You will also see comment boxes for each one, which are also published in context elsewhere in the Neoco Playbook.
This list is far from exhaustive. Many more people and organisations have influenced Neoco but these pioneers are the ones that have generated specific, standout references within the playbook.
As our interviewees and survey respondents reminded us, a list of true pioneers should also include us. Humanity. Our innovative, curious, creative species. An individual, free from oppression and with access to even the most basic resources, can demonstrate productivity and ingenuity that is orders of magnitude more efficient than even the most highly resourced organisation with thousands of staff.
Youtubers [...] with little more than a microphone and editing tools, created something cool, built an audience, and managed to create a living for themselves.
Cafe owners, who have to figure out how to deliver food all of a sudden. Local hipster cafe owner has had to pivot into pizza takeout.
– Neoco survey responses to the question "Who are the pioneers?".
<aside> ☝ Read more in Prejudice, Diversity and the Power of the Individual.
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Another pioneering group that has not (yet!) received the attention it deserves here is the activists. In grassroots movements we see extraordinary ingenuity, drive and pragmatism. We can learn a lot from those who have made a lot from a little. This kind of inspiration can be found all around us. The examples highlighted by our research participants included local theatre groups, community centres, charity events, and some recent campaigns such as Black Lives Matter and Me Too.