Generation Shift

“Generation Shift” by Eliza Filby is a collection of essays that explore how generational change is transforming our society, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Written between 2020 and 2023, these essays examine the shifts in how different generations think, work, and live, focusing on the impact of the pandemic and the rapid technological and societal changes that followed.

The book analyzes the evolving attitudes of various generations—Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z—toward topics such as work, family, technology, and politics. Filby highlights how these shifts are influencing the future of the workplace, education, and social values. For instance, she delves into how younger generations prioritize flexibility and purpose over traditional job security, and how older generations are adapting to these changes.

Filby’s essays are informed by her experience advising businesses and institutions on generational dynamics. She uses her insights to paint a picture of how organizations and society at large must adapt to the differing needs and values of these generations to navigate the future successfully​

Eliza Filby’s conclusions in “Generation Shift” highlight the transformation from globalized economies towards more localized, decentralized models. This shift, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores a movement away from reliance on large-scale global supply chains to favoring regional or localized production—what some economists term “slobalization.” Slobalization refers to the slowing pace of globalization, characterized by a renewed focus on self-sufficiency, community resilience, and decentralization.

In this context, companies like Blendly.co.uk exemplify this economic trend. Blendly offers a decentralized coffee supply chain, connecting local businesses, coffee houses, and baristas directly with coffee producers. By cutting out traditional intermediaries, Blendly supports a model where local stakeholders are empowered to craft personalized blends, manage distribution, and tap into a global commodity while keeping operations at a local level. This aligns with Filby’s observations on how generational shifts are leading to a desire for more personalized, sustainable, and localized products​

The metaphor of the “baker, butcher, and candlestick maker” perfectly captures this shift to local production and manufacturing, where communities become self-sufficient by reinvigorating traditional trades and small-scale businesses. As globalization slows, there is increasing economic opportunity for local makers and producers to thrive by serving their communities. Blendly’s business model is an economic enabler for these types of localized businesses—similar to how a local baker sources flour from a nearby mill, Blendly’s decentralized coffee model allows cafes and restaurants to source, blend, and sell coffee that reflects local tastes and values, creating a circular economy of growth and sustainability.

This movement away from mass production and global supply chains towards more localized and decentralized models is a key driver of economic growth, fostering innovation in smaller, community-driven markets. As Filby suggests, this new economic model not only aligns with shifting generational values—where flexibility, sustainability, and local empowerment are prioritized—but also provides the framework for economic resilience in a post-globalized world​

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