Human evolution has proven that the current stage is financial age. This fact means that all the decisions humans make are greatly influenced by finances. Moreover, gaining competitive edge over rivals in any sector depends on how well an individual can manipulate the most vital resource at that time. The stages in evolution that prove that the survival of humans depends on how well they can manipulate the integrative resource to gain competitive edge at a given time include stone, iron, information, and financial ages.

• Stone age. The unifying resource for human during this age was stone. Therefore, the survival of any human being was dependent on how well they could manipulate the resource. The climax of the stone age was the invention and use of fire, which gave humans competitive age over other animals. By manipulating stone, humans were also able to create tools that helped them survive and protect themselves. Besides, the fact that man could walk upright, unlike other animals, meant that they could use their hands to manipulate stone. During stone age, the best way to gain competitive edge depended on how well one would manipulate the resource to their advantage.
• Iron age. The iron age was also significant in the evolution of man. The unifying resource at this time was iron. The use iron came about after man got better ways of manipulating stone and fire. Gaining competitive advantage during the iron age was also dependent on how well one could manipulate iron. Many empires rose during the iron age, including the Persian, Roman, and Chinese, among others. The main weapons used during this age were made of iron. The epitome of iron age was the invention and use of the gun powder, which was significant in battle during the World War I and II. Therefore, the survival of humans during the iron age was depended on how well people could manipulate the resource to their advantage.
• Information age. The cold war began after the World War II. The main countries in the war were the United States and the Soviet Union. This period was known as the information age. In this stage, the best way for any human being to gain competitive advantage over rivals depended on how well they could acquire and use information. Therefore, knowledge acquisition became a priority for human beings. Most countries also developed educational policies that were meant to promote learning. In addition, countries relied on intelligence and information to gain competitive advantage in trade, and formed strategic alliances based on knowledge. The paragon of information age was invention and use of the computer. This fact means that the commodity of trade during the information age was knowledge.
• Financial age. In the recent times, most decisions are made based on the availability of finances. Emerging economies such as China are also getting stronger because of the continuous growth in their purchasing power. Current global politics also revolve around business alliances and what competing groups have to offer in terms of management of available resources. Furthermore, in order for humans to gain competitive advantage over their rivals, they have to look for ways to acquire and manipulate finances better. Various currencies have also been developed, including cryptocurrency, to enable easy use of money. Therefore, humans are currently in the financial age, which means that their survival depends on how well people can acquire and manipulate money.

Acquisition and management of resources in paramount in gaining competitive edge. Besides, humans have been able to stand out because of how well they can acquire and manipulate the available resources. Therefore, the stone, iron, information, and financial ages in human evolution have proven that survival of man depends on how well they can acquire and manipulate the consolidative resource to gain competitive edge at any given time.

Ochieng' Omolo

Founder and Managing Director at JO&AL, which is a knowledge-based company whose clarion call is to “help people and businesses get out of the cubicle and create wealth.” The company has combined different methods of making money to create effective resources for beginners and experts. The focus is to conform to the global changes brought about by information technology. JO&AL’s commodity of trade is “Knowledge”. We are a reflection of a transformation that is taking place in our national and global society. Currently, learning is continuously being redefined for formal and lifelong learners in both public and private sectors. Consequently, we deal with affiliates, advertisers, agencies, and entrepreneurs. Our private fora coach individuals interested in leveraging their careers for business.