You need to fall over a few times before you can learn to walk but it's the 'lived experience' that matters. I feel I have been falling over for at least the last 26 years but in many ways that's the only way to learn properly

This is my third Value Exchange on The Hive. I did one 10 months ago but that remains on CLickup for the time being. I will link below to the last one on the hive for now...

Last Value Exchange - on The Hive

Link to last Value Exchange on the Hive to 03 April 2023

Section 1

Looking back.

The idea here is between your last Value Exchange and now (in my case almost 3 months - which is the maximum recommended) how have you identified any social value have you delivered that you recognise? This can be literally anything. Writing a blog that people enjoy due to its honesty? What's yours?

Cadence and Reflection
Ten months between Value Exchanges simply isn’t enough. We need a maximum interval of three months. Without more regular check-ins, I end up forgetting as much as I learn. More frequent reflections are essential to capture and build on our insights.

A Period of Intensive, Practical Learning
The past 10 months have delivered the most intensive, hands-on learning of my 58 years. This isn’t academic theory—it’s real, experiential knowledge that comes from stepping well beyond the comfort zone. It feels a bit like scaling a high mountain: challenging, transformative, and, at times, painful. I am incredibly grateful for Annabelle’s tolerance and understanding throughout these physical and mental trials. The ability to recover from extremes, I believe, is crucial for long-term growth.

Building Trust in Diverse Contexts
One of the core challenges has been working with (ultra) high-net-worth individuals. Establishing trust and forging relationships across diverse social and economic backgrounds is slow and arduous, yet it’s a key step toward a fairer world with greater social mobility. We’ve made some progress—engaging with figures like Roche/Hoffman, Goldsmith, and Ron Diamond—but this work remains very much a work in progress.

Cross-Cultural Experiments and Internships
We welcomed a couple of South Korean government employees as interns from Birmingham University, which proved that our Value Exchange model works across cultural divides, even when language barriers exist. Over the summer, we also hosted a number of interns (including Will, Vikram, and Teo). While some contributed more than they received—and vice versa—the overall experiment was worthwhile. It did, however, highlight that Ethos might currently be too small to fully support a larger intern cohort.

Fundraising and Financial Sustainability
Our attempts to focus on project-based fundraising haven’t borne fruit. With SVRU stepping back, I need to reconnect with Jimmy to reassess our strategy. We’ve refined our core proposition multiple times and explored various short-term funding avenues. With Ethos’s cash flow under pressure, we’ve shifted our focus toward building a pipeline of short-term opportunities to sustain our core activities. This strategic pivot also led us to discontinue the podcast in favor of concentrating on these immediate priorities.

Team Transitions and Strategic Shifts
As TeamPolice nears its full exit, there’s a bittersweet yet joyful sense of closure. At the same time, Wilder Sensing is entering a phase of aggressive spending with its new equity funding, even though our share of the benefits remains modest due to environmental concessions we made.

Personal Highlights and Home Front
Amid these professional and strategic shifts, there have been memorable personal moments: trips along the NC500 with Sarah and Pippa, and a family ski holiday in Les Sybelles (La Toussuire). On the home front, I’ve been busy with indoor DIY projects—the spare attic room, lounge, and an ongoing bathroom renovation. I’m also grappling with the decision of whether to sell the house and downsize in the short term. Meanwhile, the family is thriving: Jonny is preparing for marriage, Will is turning 21, and Sam looks poised to pursue a PhD.

In Summary
Despite significant challenges, this period has been a profound journey of practical learning and growth on multiple levels. Moving forward, I’m committed to more frequent reflections to capture these experiences and continue pushing toward a more just and dynamic future.

The Value Recognition event - it is planned for 16:00 UK Time Thursday 5 Feb. I may record and upload. May not!

Only a few of us need to attend! - of course this can happen asynchronously via comments but having a real-life event make this PHUN (Ethos spelling). Have food, alcohol, whatever. Run it virtually. But try and speak to each other. First the Value Exchanger talks about what it's been like and then others ask question and then add their own comments. No negative stuff but it's full of caring people who can offer kind advice and support - only when invited to of course! Below is a tiny flavour of the actual conversation that happened over Google Meet earlier this week:

Here is the invite. It is a Google Meet. Rob VR Event
Wednesday, 5 February · 16:00 – 17:00
Time zone: Europe/London
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/wib-ffur-eeu
Or dial: ‪(GB) +44 20 3956 3199‬ PIN: ‪744 668 495‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/wib-ffur-eeu?pin=3180846844838

Time invested during the VE period (days)
Roughly 40 hours per week on Ethos.

Section 2

Comments from my VE Collaborators

Gather comments below from the few people you collaborate most closely with. It could be synchronous or asynchronous.

I think this is still a little complex. Most collaborators are not on the Hive and not on Clickup. Therefore I will make an editable Google doc to gather comments and send an email (old school). We do have an online community hosted on Hylo so I can give some thought to calling out people to comment there as well. Dunno. My hit list is:

Annabelle Lambert
Ok slapping everyone's wrists for leaving our Value Exchanges so long. Slaps done, moving on. 🕺

I think you have captured the last 10 months well Rob. It has been a time of tremendous learning, that which we are embarked on is audacious and there is nothing easy about it. It has taken its toll for sure. Things are moving slowly and the chronic uncertainty in the world currently is not helping us, yet! There was a moment over the Christmas break where I felt you were so damaged that it may be time to stop, but I think there was something really regenerative about your ski trip, different environment, great company, fresh air and constant exercise probably were the answer. It probably is that simple and I think we should all learn from that and put ourselves in those such environments on a regular basis. This will be mandatory moving forwards 🥳.
You have continued to cause people to pause for thought as you poke them as Chief Poker, Many have certainly said that they enjoy and appreciate your test of their thinking. You have also pushed all the interns both Korean and summer students to adapt to a different approach, they have all benefitted from your pushing. You delivered a great consulting support for the Microland bid and their sustainability, which still has potential to deliver more financially and experientially. You have led the development of propositions to Defence, and now to Cabinet Office and beyond to organisations looking to deliver community engagement. This constant adaptability is amazing. In many ways we never feel stuck in a rut, that’s for sure.
The team being too small has been on my mind for a while, so growing proactive support in the core I agree will be beneficial. Although you say you are happiest not travelling out, I do think you thrive on energy giving connections which come from people, ideas and conversation. So we need to keep that energy high!

On a personal front you continue to push me beyond boundaries I don’t wish to be pushed…lol. I am delicate and my resilience is being tested but you respect that and still push, which is helpful so thank you. And thank you for the common sense approach to my current financial predicament.

I feel that we are truly in world of transition. Yes on the wellbeing. This role of “poking people”. You are extremely good at it and you enjoy it. I feel that everyone benefited from this. You are a large part of that. Delivered Microland. Fantastic job. All on you. Although everything is quite hard. Never stuck in a rut. Agree that the team is too small. How do you feel being stuck with me. You thrive by talking. A personal thank you. I am delicate and being tested.

How do I help you more? Can’t answer that.

Bill Skelly
I always enjoy our conversations. I find them both interesting and stimulating which is a great combination!

I am full of admiration for the resilience you have shown in the last three years to follow your intellect and passion and push the way of working in which you believe.

It feels like there are still struggles to endure and moments of joy to embrace until your vision becomes a more enduring reality. Who knows where the destination will ultimately be? Along the way, I am certain, there will be plenty of new and exciting things that are created, explored, developed and add value to the human community.
Brilliant stuff!

It feels like a number of incubated projects did not achieve their true potential. Such as the car park sensing and so on. And I imagine that would be quite difficult for you. In parent/child that would be quite difficult as the parent to see these projects not realise their worth. And at the same time investing huge a amount into your new venture. And that in itself was an uphill struggle. Hence this in context and to applaud your resilience.

Second, very happy that you have enjoyed some time with your family. Really lovely.

Echoing some of Annabelle’s comments. Parts of this I enjoy are the intellectual and challenging topics and maintain a level of curiosity. Enjoy those conversations. While sometimes Team Police has struggled with Service support, the future is looking good.

What does your future hold? Some trials and tribulations ahead. Finding a realisation of the vision will be important over the next 12 / 18 months. Some joy and anxiety.

Full of admiration for your effort..

RP: wants to have more of a collective conversation. The definition of meritocracy is a broad one. A peer group.

Jenny Lawrence
The Interns we had over last summer (Mostly Uni people)

Deborah A who is a TCF Volunteer
I LOVE the full embracing of what is vs what we might want that Rob and Annabelle embody. I so admire their flexibility, yielding to the will of Ethos VO and divine timing, while staying in forward action and optimism. These are hallmarks of great leadership. We’ve all hit many setbacks, and I do believe the Ethos team are modeling well exactly how we can use those perceived setbacks as stepping stones, in perseverance! I also believe that they need more support, and I hope to be able to assist in that in 2025.

The project leads from our TCF projects.

**Zachary Marlow Another World is Possible **

Working with Rob and Annabelle has been tremendously inspiring that there ARE actually people in the finance world that DO care about the world and its people beyond profit. They are excellent people on a personal level, and that is felt through the project as it has grown and evolved into a vibrant community of caring but effective people doing real good. To be honest I was expecting to get funded sooner as a project in the ecosystem, but I feel the relationships and nonmonetary value are far greater, and the bringing together of all the projects and people building the commons, many commons, is more valuable. This is hard work, we are building a bridge between two worlds. This really isn’t just a fund, it’s a transformative effort to change how we fund projects that matter.

Our senior advisors.

What is your Mission?

What’s your story? Your “Why?” What change would you like to see in the World (value to society)? Why this change? Why now? What will you give in order to achieve this? How will you personally change to achieve this? Note: this does NOT have to change each time you do VE but you include it to make sure you have an opportunity to rethink for the next phase!

How can we learn to love all beings like they were our most cherished? How will future generations prioritise loving and caring for all humans and the planet with the same intensity as their own or organisational interests? How will we look after our own wellbeing better? How will each voice be heard and valued equally? These questions guide my journey without the expectation of arrival!

My mission is to challenge, question and excite consciousness linked to the above (Chief Poker!). How we can create social and environmental value as the core for all work. Everything we do. Paid or otherwise. Trust, Collaborate. Moderate. Align. The best way to do this (strategy) now seems to be to "Rebuild the Commons".

My strengths seem to be in innovation and starting things and in providing energy for others to follow. I love the "in-between spaces" between boundaries such as organisations, psychology, anthropology, sociology, technology, social value, individual interests and economics. I am a do-er who loves what we call action-research. I love working out loud, open data, open knowledge, networks, blockchain, Tech (open source, Linux, Docker, Github) and what it means to lead oneself in a networked society.

Anger as a result of disagreement is not my best self. Misalignment and disagreement however can lead to knowledge and so how to be peaceful and kind in pursuit of knowledge is an essential skill to master. I take on responsibility naturally. However, Too much responsibility can lead to too much stress. I strive to moderate my innative drive to work too hard and not have enough balance.

The meaning I derive from my family together with the social value I exchange with those I meet and working with provide the most value for me. I recognise that my health and my time at Ethos (over the past 26 years has been a gift that I cannot take for granted. I will make wellbeing activities a part of my routine.

I recognise that the world may not improve much in the round during my lifetime. That’s OK. Spiritually, I am at peace with that. “It is what it is”. I an nevertheless restless in my quest for promoting system change in an energetic and excited way. Maybe some small thing I do will have a positive effect on a future generation? I’m not looking for instant gratification.

We live in uncertain times. I believe I have a contribution to make and will strive to do so.

Section 3

Looking forward

The outcomes and deliverables in the table below don't have to mean a whole lot to everyone - although they could that's OK. This period they are really my shorthand on my commitments. I will come back to in a month and write about in my social value recognition in these areas. So you can link my narrative if you like to my first VE linked at the top.

		Social Value Outcomes
What problem can you help solve (Outcomes)	Deliverables	Organisations	Opportunities	Progress
1. Sustainment funding for Annabelle then me	A pipeline with ££ on proposals	Businesses - too many to list.	TCF measurement framework, more projects and funders
	Finish the TP Exit and royalties			Q1 2025 finish
2. Build a CoP for TCF	Cop for projects / VE traction / recruitment.	MoD and central gov suppliers to TCV > £5m	Have an actionable ESG innovation strategy. Score Higher on SV. Deliver better SV. Integrate SV across all activities.
	Webinar for seniors	Led by our 3*s
	Support existing projects	Develop online activities	Hylo or other tools
3.Secure funding for projects	develop relationship with HNWs and funders
	Daily blogs across social media platforms
4.MVP for VE Platform on blockchain	Pilot participants
	Tech platform
	Funding options
5.Powerful personal network	Intimacy with a group of 15-20 seniors who have power
	Find a group of SMEs (LGA association) to work with	LGA, SMEs		Completed - success
	Meet with Surrey and Guildford again for next steps.			Completed - success
6. Completed next VE within 3 months

I'm going to be working full time on the above outcomes other than family and stuff.
I'm only going to be paid when there is project or grant revenue directly associated to these things.
January is going to be a 'zero' month so I am have capacity to roll my sleeves up on so many things - although I don't want to divert from my core mission especially Value Exchange.
There are no conflicts of interest to manage.

Section 4

Time and Money

Most things require resources. Money is one of those. Whether fiat or crypto. How can you afford to do what you want to do? What are your options.

The infra we have developed for TCF has been funded by the EthosVO balance sheet and some royalties that we have been lucky enough to draw from TP. Funding the core sustainability is a serious priority. This is why we are now developing a more traditional pipeline. I can certainly afford to continue until the next VE but I am doing so by using my savings. I have a house and lifestyle which I wish to continue. So sustainability is a major challenge for TCF and one which I am determined to crack at some point very soon. No answers but it feels like more hard work and a bit more luck are required.

Section 5

People / Your network

"no person is an island" You need lots of people to help you work! Supporters, coaches and mentors. They work with you along the way to achieve shared goals. One of the keys to this section is to encourage you to engage with others and enlist others to support your mission.

I think we have suffered due to the small size of the TCF core team. There is an idea number somewhere less than 100 but more than perhaps 6 that could focus as a project yet retain the agility to adapt and drive to innovate. I think something like 30-50 would be a sweet number for the core of a movement which has global reach like TCF.

Other than the core of a team (or a host where we could grow numbers) the key here is outcome 5. above. Who can we work with who shares our end goals and like the approach we have as a "means" to deliver systemic change?