Community Spotlight: Five Questions with Michael Haines
As one of our most active members on the Mindhive platform, Michael Haines has shared his insight into several issues impacting the social and economic wellbeing of individuals across the globe.
Michael has over 40 years of experience in government, telecom, brewing, construction, consumer goods, car manufacturing, transport and logistics, and spatial and building modeling sectors. Having previously worked in CEO and board-level roles, he has gained extensive knowledge on the corporate, human resources and manufacturing responsibilities involved with leading a well-functioning team. Now as the founder and CEO of the not-for-profit organisation VANZI, Michael works with stakeholders across Australia to develop a governance framework for a 3D digital built environment model.
We asked Michael to share a little bit about himself and the causes that drive him forward every day.
How long have you been a part of the Mindhive community and what was it that excited you to join?
Since about April 2020. I'm always on the lookout for people who are seeking to make the world a better place and Mindhive certainly fitted the bill. I was impressed with Bruce's vision and drive.
What are you curious about?
I'm curious about the whole world, from the quantum level, through atoms, cells and every life-form that, with the physical processes of the world, provides the biosphere on which we depend... out to the far reaches of space; and at its core consciousness!
There are also several causes that I am endlessly passionate about. These include:
A universal basic income, as a way of eliminating systemic poverty.
A new, efficient and equitable tax system that reduces avoidance of tax and improves equity at a lower cost, with much less administration.
Stabilising the money and banking system to eliminate the moral hazard and the threat of bank runs, and mitigate the business cycle.
Creating a new governance framework for the 3D digital world that mirrors each person's real-world rights. Having different rights in digital models versus the real world simply complicates decision-making and increases costs, errors and delays.
The creation of local manufacturing built around the principles of the 'circular economy'.
What makes you get up on a Monday morning?
Not just Mondays... every day! Apart from family, friends and the sheer joy of life, the causes I am passionate about keep me going.
Have you ever had a wildcard moment, where you’ve learnt something new from an unusual source?
Too many to count! The wonky path that led me from one career to another has allowed me to learn new things within positions that were 'unusual' for me.
In the early days of punch card computing, I started working for the post office in their data processing branch and then moved through several assistant and secretary positions within construction and manufacturing organisations. During the following six years consulting for a wide range of national and international companies, I did a job for Toyota and discovered more from them than I could teach. I grabbed the opportunity of a full-time job to transform their administrative functions and ended up managing their Port Melbourne manufacturing plant for a few years, absorbing the principles of the Toyota Production System along the way. I then got headhunted to run a new port logistics business, using Toyota’s Just-in-Time approach for the unloading and loading of containers. I was learning more about logistics than I did not know, I did not know!
After looking to model the port operations to improve the overall flow of ships, trucks, trains and containers, I then got involved in 3D Computer Modelling. This is the space I have now worked in for the last ten years, running my own company to advance the development of a governance framework for the 3D digital world.
What a learning experience!
What needs changing in the world right now?
We have to deal with rising inequity, the role of women in the world and gender inequality, environmental degradation, as well as the automation and virtualisation of work... and poverty.
Our money system is at the core of society. Who controls the cash determines what gets made and done within the paid economy, yet 50% of the population have no direct access to money because they are young, old, incapacitated (disabled, sick, or injured), caregivers for dependents, or temporarily between jobs.
Of all the things that need to change, one of the most pressing matters is how we create and allocate money to people so everyone can meet their basic needs without destroying the incentive to work.
A universal basic income can eliminate one of the major systemic causes of poverty, particularly the lack of money to express your basic needs in the market.
Mindhive offers a community of people open to new ideas and with connections to make a difference - that is why I am here.