Intention vs Reality
We have all seen the various statistics about the intentions of millennials. The one that fascinates me is that over half have said that they would leave a job if the organisation didn’t have a positive impact on communities.
I’ve written before about how this view isn’t restricted to millennials, however, the thing that really stands out for me about these figures is that we never see what the rate is for people who actually change their job for this reason.
Intentions are great but faced with student loans, mortgages, families as well as career – how many people have the ability to make the change? Do we have the flexibility and opportunity to follow through or is there a significant pool of people who are disengaged with their employer, wanting to change but unable to do so?
If we can find opportunities for this pool, think of the resource we would free up to do good!
Hear ye, hear ye
Those that know me, or have even met me briefly, will be aware that self-promotion is simply ‘not my thing’. It really is one of my many weaknesses.
That being the case, you will appreciate how important this post is to me.
I’ve written a book!
This post isn’t about sales nor is it about having my one minute of fame. This is me saying that I have had some thoughts that I truly believe are worth listening to. Thoughts that could make a difference to you and your communities.
Touch Point – Seven business strategies for a better world
I’m passionate about using business as a resource for doing good. It’s not hard and it’s not expensive. It just takes a little bit of thought and the desire to support the world around you.
With a bit of common sense and passion, your organisation can be a champion of your community!
This is a business book, very much aimed at the management market. It tells the story of how we can operate all of our organisations so that they can play their part in building sustainable communities, using sensible strategic and operational processes
The model that I developed focuses on seven key areas of business and provides a clear, easy to follow framework for identifying strategies to achieve both social and business outcomes.
Ultimately, the Touch Point model is just one tool that can support businesses to move into “The Zone” – the place where business and purpose collide. A place where passionate causes drive businesses and businesses enable passionate causes.
The book is currently at the printers so isn’t far away from becoming a reality. It’s taken a long time to get to this point and it’s taken some great people supporting me – but the end is in sight.
I can now cast aside any hesitation and announce to the world – I’m an author, I have written a book and if you’re in business, I think you’ll enjoy reading it!
Touch Point – Seven business strategies for a better world
The meaning of life
Once I got through the first few minutes, I found this so powerful.
I don’t normally share random things like this – but sometimes things really hit you between the eyes
Almost….
Final proof from the printer is signed off. It’s becoming very real now.
Finally!
After many (many, many, many) months, I can finally announce that my book is at the printers!
This means that I actually have to get ready to ‘conduct business’. No longer simply a blog site, I have to change things to include a proper page on the book and of course a way for people to order it.
From cruise mode to crunchy activity – your optimistic cynic has work to do…
Change
The world of business is changing, doing good is mainstream and some big names are championing the shift.
https://sway.office.com/O9j6pyRDfZmb1KIj?ref=Link
Business and doing good
In leadership, we now frequently talk about purpose. It’s mainstream and it’s powerful.
Business can be a lever for doing good in our communities, and for making a better world.
If you haven’t come across the concept of B Corp Certification previously, I urge you to watch this video. You don’t have to go down the certification route, but Bart Houlahan really does impart how powerful a genuine strategic desire to do good can be
Pondering Upon Purpose
I found myself musing business ‘purpose’ this morning. Being awake at 3:oo am leads to some interesting (or is that confusing) thinking.
To borrow and ‘repurpose’ a phrase “you don’t choose a passion, a passion chooses you”.
So many good people are out there helping organisations to identify and/clarify their purpose. To help people realise why they do, what they do – why they get up in the morning and go to work.
Passion and purpose are generally seen as different but I wonder, are they the result of conscious decisions or something within your DNA? Perhaps it’s both?
With purpose being such a growing philosophy, I just wonder how many of us are deriving a purpose from what we are already doing as opposed to doing what delivers our purpose.
An optimist may have the view that we are arriving at our purpose, either consciously or sub-consciously, because of the passion and values within our DNA.
A cynic might think we are deriving a purpose simply as a business strategy, not as an outcome for our authentic passion.
The realist could say it’s probably both.
What do you think?
Never forget
Amidst the enthusiasm for our new journeys and passions, a very old saying is worth remembering…
“Your family would rather your presence than your presents”
Your loved ones, whatever form the relationship make take, are still a big part of who you are. Never forget that, even when you are striving for a magical purpose!
The Optimistic Cynic 