Thursday, October 25, 2007

Doing Well, by Doing Good

Last night’s speaker, Peggie Pelosi, spoke eloquently and with passion about how we all need to get involved in giving back. She admitted that while she’d always wanted to, she would keep saying to herself, I will do this when… but “when” was never right at that moment.

It was when she was working for USANA, that she came to realize that when companies reach out and develop their corporate responsibility muscle, that it makes a difference – not just to the charity or cause, but to the employees and the bottom line. Today’s generation particularly wants to work for a company that gives back.

In our own small way, Company of Women has been making a difference. Through our Give Change to Make Change campaign, we have raised close to $2,500 for Opportunity International, a charity that provides micro credit loans to women in developing countries. As an organization that supports women entrepreneurs in Canada, it seems a good fit and judging by the generosity of my members, they think so too. It really doesn’t take that much. We just collect change at the end of our meetings and the toonies and loonies add up. And with a small loan of $84 we are changing the lives of others.

What can you do? Which cause would fit well with your business? Think about it. Even from a business perspective it makes sense. As we agreed last night, your business can do well by doing good. Start today.

Monday, October 01, 2007

Jusk Ask

In another life I was a fundraiser. One of the first rules of fundraising is ask, and the second rule of fundraising is ask again.

I was reminded of this as I listened to Erica Ehm talking at a conference on Saturday. She was sharing that most of her successes were due to just asking for what she wanted. And when you think about it – what’s the worst that could happen – they say no, but often they may well surprise us and say yes.

As entrepreneurs, we are already risk-takers, so why not take it to the next level. Think about what you want to achieve, who could help you realize that goal, and ask – for help, for money, for support, whatever you need I really believe that it is only when we put it out there that the universe can respond. So just ask.