3. Cycles

Think about all of the people who come together to create a blockbuster movie. Producers, directors, actors, set designers, makeup artists, musicians and others come together to make something bigger than anyone could have created alone.

We’ll use the “Hollywood Model” as an example in this paper. We believe that it’s the future of work.

In this model, diverse teams assemble to work intensively on complex projects, then dissolve and reconfigure for new opportunities. From climate research to software development, the most pressing challenges of our time require temporary coalitions of experts who can rapidly form, collaborate, and deliver results.

Yet breaking into these networks remains difficult, and proving capabilities across different projects and organizations is a well-known problem.

Let’s draw a picture of the Hollywood Model

• Purpose: Make a Movie
• Participation: Of all roles doing what they do best
• Proof: In the movie credits

None of it happens once

As you can see, this is a cycle:

Proof of your contribution - and in no small way, the relationships you made - on one movie opens opportunities to work on the next movie, setting a career in motion.

But how do people break into the industry?

If we’re building on this model, then how do people break into any industry?

Through integrated learning opportunities, people can learn the skills they need to join a project. Apprenticeship opportunities are directly connected to projects, providing ways for people to learn new skills, gain experience, and most importantly, build relationships.

Purpose drives local action. Participation creates artifacts. Proof is portable. This means that people can learn, join projects, finish the work, and move on to new opportunities.

And every time this cycle repeats, everyone in the ecosystem is more prepared to solve bigger problems.