As we prepare to reset our calendars and rush headlong into 2017, I thought this an appropriate time to discuss the power of zero.
Zero came to us from our early trading partners in Arabia. And it's power was so immense that Arabic Numerals displaced Roman Numerals in every facet of European society.
By the 13th Century, Italian accountants knew their books had balanced when the difference between them equaled zero and, four hundred years later, Sir Isaac Newton found the concept indispensable when cobbling together the basic laws of Physics.
Zero came to us from our early trading partners in Arabia. And it's power was so immense that Arabic Numerals displaced Roman Numerals in every facet of European society.
By the 13th Century, Italian accountants knew their books had balanced when the difference between them equaled zero and, four hundred years later, Sir Isaac Newton found the concept indispensable when cobbling together the basic laws of Physics.
Here at Color Accounting we use Zero as our assumed instructional starting point. Whether we are teaching native farmers in Zambia or investment bankers on Wall Street our approach is the same.
We start with a tabula rasa and begin teaching utterly fundamental concepts like point of view and value-creating and value-destroying activities. Advanced concepts like financial statements come later.
Farmers and bankers around the world seem to agree - this approach works. Almost all come away with a much better insight into accounting and its role in every life.
Wishing you all the Power of Zero in 2017, Peter
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