Technology, coupled with an economy that fell tremendously in 2008 is completely changing the way we work. Or at least this is true for those of us that get to do work behind the warm glow of a screen or the grip of a phone.

Seth Godin, stated in a recent Business Insider article that the new economy of work leaves no room for an “average employee.” I tend to agree with him.

If you’re the average person out there doing average work, there’s going to be someone else out there doing the exact same thing as you, but cheaper. Now that the industrial economy is over, you should forget about doing things just because it’s assigned to you, or “never mind the race to the top, you’ll be racing to the bottom.”

Lets take this further. If you’re an average company doing average work – there is going to be someone else doing the exact same thing, but cheaper. Simply put, we are in an innovate or die environment.

However, innovation does not necessarily mean that your have to churn out a life simplifying app or revolutionary new service platform. Innovation can mean that you are distancing yourself from the pack in a way that shows your values, integrity and willingness to produce quality rather than a profit for profit’s sake.

A great example of this idea is the Butcher & Larder in Chicago. Sustainable, responsible meat supply is no new concept. If fact, it is likely how your grandparents once purchased meat. The Butcher and Larder is simply putting sustainability and quality as their innovative quality. This, in effect, has created tremendous brand identity for them in their community – removing them from the same work, less money depletion economy that Godin is referencing.

About Butcher & Larder
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The mission of The Butcher & Larder is to be Chicago’s first sustainable, all whole animal butcher shop. We custom cut meat from animals that are responsibly raised on small, Midwestern family farms. In addition, we make a variety of sausages, patés and prepared deli items such as ham, bacon and corned beef for retail sale. We offer butchering and charcuterie classes (sausage making, etc.) at the shop, and plan to periodically hold small, casual family-style dinners.

About P&S Series
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P&S (Practice & Space) is a web series that investigates people’s commitments to their craft and is filmed on location in their unique spaces. There is a growing movement of people that dedicate themselves to more sustainable, more difficult and more expensive practices in order to produce a higher quality result. This series examines these stories.

Music from Vimeo Music Store
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Psychic Soy by Morusa
Like a Movie by Nicole Reynolds