In this video, Liz talks about why she would encourage somebody to be a part of the economy of giving compared to an extractive business, explaining the fulfillment of basic human needs and the sense of purpose created from helping others. Discussion Questions What might be a difference in the driving force behind decisions in an economy of giving business …
EoC Lifestyle
This video shows that the Economy of Communion is not just about how a business makes money, but about how people live and work together. It talks about creating a workplace that feels like a family, where employees, customers, and even pilgrims are part of a real community. There’s a strong focus on unity, harmony, and building relationships. The video …
Providence
This video talks about how providence played a role in starting or growing a business within the Economy of Communion. Ann explains that they needed help but didn’t think they could afford to hire someone. The person they hired ended up being exactly what they needed, and she describes it as providence, almost like she was sent at the perfect …
Loving your Enemy and Competitor
This video explains how the idea of “loving your enemy” connects to the Economy of Communion. It shows that love isn’t just personal, but that it can also shape how businesses operate. In the EoC model, businesses focus on relationships, fairness, and helping others, not just making the most profit. Loving your enemy in this context means choosing generosity and …
Harms of Extractive Business
In this video, Liz talks about how modern business is extractive when it creates needs for consumers instead of working to solve existing needs, businesses and technology progress with the sole intent of creating more wants and needs for consumers. Discussion Questions What are some examples you can come up with on a certain business/industry that creates a new need …
What Drew Me to the EoC?
This video explains how Ann first discovered the Economy of Communion before starting her business. During a year off, she learned more about the Focolare Movement and how to live the Gospel in everyday life. After going to an EoC meeting and hearing stories about providence and trusting God in business, she decided this was how she wanted to start …
What Do Yours Competitors Say About You?
John Mundell, President and Founder of Mundell and Associates, recalls a story of pitching to a client. Part of the pitch was providing a list of people they could contact as references. This included both clients and competitors. After the presentation, the state attorney explained that he called all of the competitors and had never heard such positive remarks about …
Employees and Freedom
Management works better when you create a minimal-policy framework that empowers people to use judgment and act autonomously—rather than being micromanaged—so they can grow, take ownership, and make decisions independently. Discussion Questions What are common ways managers will micro-manage employees? What are the risks of giving employees more autonomy? How can those risks be minimized? What are the pros and …
Money Isn’t Everything
Joan describes her disdain of a model of business which sees accumulation of money as the end-all of everything. EoC provided a way to see that business could be much more than just making money. Discussion Questions Money is great, but money was not the main motivator for many entrepreneurs who became phenomenally wealthy. What are the other motivators which …
Good Spreads on its Own
John Mundell, president and founder of Mundell and Associates, recalls instilling EOC values in the interns that work with him. He tells a story about the interns encountering a barista having a bad day at a coffee shop. They took matters into their own hands, stopped and talked to her, and discovered it was her birthday. They went out to …