Stories from the Community
How the Curse of Cats Improves Your Communications
You have undoubtedly heard the expression before.
"Curiosity killed the cat."
Now curiosity might be a bad omen for felines.
However, it is anything but that if you're a business seeking to create high engagement in your communications...
9 Ways To Become More Resilient
Have you ever visited a desert and wondered about the cactus and its ability to survive?
I often visit the deserts of Baja. In my wanderings, the stark and quiet beauty of this ecosystem creates an awe that defines “mindfulness.” A potent experience of stillness and balance between the mountains and sea.
And the regal cactus reigns over all...
How To Measure What Matters (Lesson from a Habitat Build)
It strikes a resounding chord in me.
And I bet I'm not alone.
Your product can only be improved and optimized when you measure what matters.
It's a point that was brought home to me a few weekends ago...
4 Keys To Mastering Outreach
OK, the jury is in. Community outreach has now been deemed one of the most powerful ways to brand and promote your product and your services. Developing relationships with organizations in your community will not only help create customer affinity but gets people to start promoting your business for you!
But the secret is not that you do outreach, but HOW you do it.
The Cure for Uninspired Thinking (Hint: 41,000 Pounds)
I hate overwhelm.
When I have too many professional challenges, personal obligations and a frazzled mindset, I feel worthless. My creative thinking, focused energy and big ideas for the benefit corporation movement can't be found for the life of me.
And the only true cure for that mental constipation was reaffirmed to me on my vacation to La Paz on Baja.
Here's the story...
The 1 Secret to Product Innovation
How many times have you heard: Yes, we listen to the customer. Yes, we are customer driven. Yes, we design our products based on the customer.
But what really happens to all that customer input?
Generally, a lengthy and robust report is generated from customer focus groups, survey and informant interviews and then...
How To Improve Your Content Thanks To a Few IPAs
"Piney...
...citrusy...
...floral...
...juniper-like...
...lemony."
If you've ever tried to describe the taste of an India Pale Ale (IPA), you know the descriptors vary.
Fact is, I've heard the majority of these adjectives as I'm lucky enough to live in a city where you see bumper-stickers on Priuses, Subarus and Volvos that read "Keep Portland Beered."
Which is to say locals get to choose from a ton of refreshing and ever-growing list of IPAs.
So what's this all have to do with upping your content?
Plain and simple, you want your words and ideas...
Lesson from the Aspen Tree: Power of Collaboration
At the heart of the benefit corporation is putting people front and center. This can mean customers, employees and key stakeholders. Collaborating with these groups is not only a good idea to boost morale, but it makes great business sense as you gain new perspectives.
Which brings us to the perfect metaphor for collaboration...
How To Create an Annual Benefit Report
When you become a benefit corporation, you must follow certain standards identified by your Secretary of State's office to fulfill the state's requirements. One of these requirements is to create and post publicly an annual “Benefit Report.” You'll find each state varies but the basic information to be reported revolves around business efforts to demonstrate social impact or "public good."
Here's the specific language regarding...
1 Question Your 2018 Customer Wants Answered Right Now
4 Keys To Connecting with Millennials
You would have had to be under a rock for the past five years to not have heard about the value of authenticity. I'm talking about authenticity as a brand and authenticity as a leader.
The reason for so much discussion is clear. Millennials, now the largest consumer group in the U.S., not only value authenticity but they demand it.
I need look no farther than at my own 20-something sons...
Lesson from Benefit Corporations: Diversity is More than Affirmative Action
Throughout the 20th century, businesses appeared homogenized. But as time passed, huge changes have occurred in our workforce and businesses. The people inside today's companies resemble nothing like those employees just a few short decades ago.
The most obvious difference: You will find greater gender and ethnic diversity across most industries.
What might not be so obvious is that diversity is a major contributing factor for business growth and success. In a recent study conducted by McKinsey Group...
Now Even Investment Firm BlackRock Favors the Philosophy of Benefit Corporations
The movement is growing. It started as a grassroots effort with small and mid-size companies, but this business model of contributing to the greater good is catching on with more influential supporters including, yes, Corporate America.
Last week, a New York Times article reported that “Laurence D. Fink, founder and chief executive of the investment firm BlackRock, is going to inform business leaders that their companies need to do more than make profits — they need to contribute to society as well if they want to receive the support and backing of BlackRock.”
Yes, you read that correctly...
How To Be Green at the Office in 2018
We love Benefit Corporations and Benefit Companies who make a commitment to People, Planet, Profit. It’s a philosophy that is good for your company, the environment and the people we serve.
Yet, sometimes it’s hard to deliver on supporting the Planet and being sustainable in our day-to-day operations. There may even be a perception that being efficient and cost-effective may deter us from going green at the office. But there are simple things that we...
Liberating the "Spirit"of Business: Benefit Corporations
There is a game-changing movement underway. It is one that has been building over the past 20 years, and it’s moving forward with energy, excitement and mass adoption.
It is the force of “Benefit Corporations."
Put simply, they promise a more authentic, honest and transparent business culture. One that delivers...
3 Ways To Measure Your Company's Soul
As the world moves at warp speed and things change in mere seconds, how do you plan for success?
How do you really know if your organization will survive in the 21st century?
Are there clues?
Metrics?
Trends?
Why Become a Benefit Corporation Now
Hope.
Hope for the environment.
Hope for social justice.
Hope for business.
And hope for the world.
You see, we believe we are at that proverbial crossroad where there is no more time. Either we stay...