3 Ways Social Media Has Been Leveraged For Mass Collaboration

We live in a world that forces us to acknowledge the suffering of others, more now than at any time in human history.

Thanks to the omnipresence of social media sites and apps, John Donne’s adage, “No man is an island,” is more meaningful than ever before.

In a season of back-to-back crises featuring destructive hurricanes and earthquakes arriving with assembly line frequency — as well as ongoing civil wars sending waves of refugees abroad — social media sites and apps have become tools for driving awareness, coordinating relief efforts and emergency response, and steering donations.

On-Site Reportage

Serious coverage, such as in Houston during Hurricane Harvey or in the Florida Keys during Irma, was occasionally hindered by the nature of the 24-hour news cycle and its decisions on how to report the storms. The network news model remains a stale one with on-the-scene reporters and increasingly incoherent coverage on the progress of the storm, minute by minute, hour after hour.

As helpful as some of the information presented can be, it often fails to convey the real plight suffered by those caught up in the fury. Often, to cover a “human interest” angle, reportage gets hampered by items of comical activity such as water skiing down a flooded highway or people getting knocked over by 6-foot waves. The prevalence of such images, especially when posted on trusted news sources, can only serve to trivialize and downplay serious threats to life and limb.

The reality of the recent hurricanes and their destructive aftermath could best be understood through status updates and tweets and live video feeds using apps such as Instagram and Periscope. Such apps served to inform others of the progress of the storm through their communities and the havoc wrought by wind, rain and wave.

Even during mass shooting situations, such as the Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat were used to post information to the public at large as the attack was being carried out. In the aftermath, friends and family could hear word from survivors that they were safe and found secure shelter.

Checking In

As mentioned before, social media updates and live videos allowed for family members to know if survivors of an incident found safety or were rescued.

Facebook developed “Safety Check” in 2014, a status update function on its site used in the event of a disastrous situation. It’s activated when “enough people post about an incident.” If in the affected area, the user will get a prompt to go to Safety Check to let others know you are safe, as well as the safety of others you may know to also be in the area.

Safety Check was helpful in finding and directing survivors of the Paris terror attacks in 2015, and of the Manchester Stadium bombing this past May.

There was some criticism in the aftermath of the bombing when the feature was enabled two hours after the attack. Despite this hitch, friends and family were made aware of the safety of their loved ones. The usefulness of Safety Check has proven indispensable once the chaos subsides.

Digitizing Donations

As soon as the first images from a troubled area grab our attention, the empathic response kicks in: “There must be something I can do!”

As our phones are how we keep pace with events as they unfold, our response is dictated by how quickly we translate response into action.

One form of action is donations by text, where a text message is sent as directed and a percentage of your phone bill goes towards a targeted charity.

A significant number of monetary donations were sent this way in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake. After the Red Cross had set up a donate-by-text program, $43 million in donations were collected this way.

A CNN article cites a recent Pew Research Center study on mobile giving, in partnership with American Life Project, released a study based on interviews with 863 people who donated to Haitian relief that found that the donations were made on impulse, with three quarters stating that was the first time they’d ever donated using a text message.

There are an increasing number of apps that turn our daily interactions into charitable giving. Apps such as Tin Box, Share the Meal, and Donate a Photo make it second nature to donate charitably. Each app has its own unique approach to enabling users to act: Tin Box, as part of their effort as an intermediary between public, corporations, and charities, has users donate $1, that is sponsored by a corporate partner; Share the Meal, a UN World Food Program initiative, is “one hundred percent voluntarily funded” and directs funds to alleviate hunger in famine-wracked places; Donate a Photo, a Johnson & Johnson app, has users select a cause, share a photo, and Johnson & Johnson donates $1.

Crowdfunding has also proven to be a powerful fundraising tool. Some small businesses devastated after Hurricane Harvey were using KickStarter, GoFundMe, and other sites to bring attention to their difficulties encountered covering what insurance reimbursements couldn’t cover and finding the money to rebuild. Crowdfunding in most cases brought donations from mostly family and friends, as well as strangers willing to do their part in the recovery effort. With most people willing to make a transaction using a credit or debit card, donating can be as second nature as online shopping.

Crowdfunding is also a very popular way for celebrities and large corporations to build momentum for favorite charitable causes. On board for post-Hurricane Harvey crowdfunding, using the site YouCaring.com, were football player JJ Watts and his Houston Texan teammates, and the Houston Astros baseball team. Between their campaigns, they raised over $37 million. You can also find campaigns begun by pop star, Ricky Martin, for hurricane aid relief in Puerto Rico, and Mexican soccer players, Javier Hernández and Miguel Layún, running a campaign to aid Earthquake victims in Mexico on the site. These charities are also well on their way to reaching their goals. CrowdRise, a site that has recently partnered with GoFundMe, has performed fundraising duties for corporations such as Revlon, Viacom, and international aid groups, including UNICEF and Human Rights Campaign.

The fact that these sites are being used by major international aid organizations speaks to their growing importance in keeping funding channels flowing.

Facebook is determined not to be ruled out in the crowdfunding arena. It has been working to perfect the ability to steer users to causes whose ideals and goals are in harmony with theirs, as well as enable ad hoc fundraising. The “Fundraiser” function, much like page creation on Facebook, allows you to create a fundraising page, invite friends, and observe and manage donations as they come in.

Directing Rescue and Relief Efforts

Real-time reporting may inform the public as to the status of friends and loved ones, but updates can also be used to direct rescue efforts. An NPR report on rescue efforts noted how during Hurricane Harvey, the 911 system was overwhelmed to the point that volunteers created a Facebook group for those in need of rescuing to post to. Twitter blasts were also used to communicate information to local news media.

In the aftermath of the recent earthquakes in Mexico, volunteers out of Mexico City bridged the gap between victims and emergency resources. Teams of tech savvy citizens using Google tools created a database to coordinate services and supplies where they were needed, dispelling misinformation and confusion on the ground.

Helping Hands

Life on earth is obviously not without its hazards.

It can be expected that at any given time, any one of us will be affected by a disaster, man-made or natural.

Our technology is the one variable we have in navigating the tumult.

With social media and apps, we can let the whole world know the extent of the devastation, but we can also let our family and friends know we are safe. Charitable apps and sites let us inform survivors that we are touched by their situation and are willing to reach out with a helping hand.

More and more, we’re discovering how social media as an extension of rescue and recovery has been able to surmount the post-disaster confusion and chaos, allowing for first responders and volunteers to increase the range of their rescue efforts.

It is true that there can be drawbacks to social media use during disasters, such as misinformation and rumor. Over time, with developers learning from the data, these hurdles will be overcome. Social media is meant to build community and community awareness. As catastrophes make it clear how much we need each other, social media sites and apps will continue to prove their value in keeping us connected during an emergency.

Mass collaboration is an amazing concept with tremendous power. Once you have reached the masses you might want to know how to use your data for more impact. Check out How Can You Leverage Your Data Now for Better Growth and Impact

Interview with Rick Alexander: Everything You Need to Know About Benefit Corporations and Legal Structures

Exclusive interview with the head of Legal Policy at B Lab, Rick Alexander.

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In this interview we talk with the head of Legal Policy at B Lab, Rick Alexander.  This is such an important discussion as we all need to understand how to approach legal structures for our startups. This has been a big learning curve for Change Creator and I think this discussion will help you gain a lot of clarity.

Rick is also the author of a great book called, Benefit Corporation Law and Governance: Pursuing Profit with Purpose.

He understands we have to rewire how we think about business and is on a mission we align very closely too. We highly recommend diving into this book and interview.

If you’re not familiar with B Lab, here’s the download…

B Lab is a nonprofit organization that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for goodTM. Its vision is that one day all companies compete not only to be the best in the world, but the Best for the World® and as a result society will enjoy a more shared and durable prosperity. B Lab drives this systemic change by:

1) Building a global community of Certified B CorporationsTM who meet the highest standards of verified, overall social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability;

2) Promoting Mission Alignment using innovative corporate structures like the benefit corporation to align the interests of business with those of society and to help high impact businesses be built to last;

3) Helping tens of thousands of businesses, investors, and institutions Measure What Matters, by using the B Impact Assessment and B Analytics to manage their impact—and the impact of the businesses with whom they work—with as much rigor as their profits;

In this interview we touch on topics like

  • How should you form business legal structure
  • Is it OK to start as an LLC and than change later?
  • What is a Benefit Corporation?
  • What is the difference between C-corp and B-corp?
  • What is most relevant for someone just getting started?
  • What do investors look for and why?
  • Why is he trying to rewire people’s brains about how we approach business?
  • Where can you find lawyers who understand B-Corp and the future of legal?

Listen to a boatload more interviews here

How Can I Matter?

how do i matter

Life. It’s saturated in mystery. The more you learn the more you realize how little we, as a species, really know.

But right now, we’re living during some very exciting times. Does every generation say that?

Regardless, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is happening as you read this. And, whether you know it or not, it will affect you.

This is the revolution of artificially-intelligent robots, self-driving cars, blockchain technology, neuro-technological brain enhancements, genetic editing.

The evidence of dramatic change is all around us and it’s happening at exponential speed.

This matters because it’s creating a tremendous amount of opportunity that never existed before. Opportunity for people just like you to design whatever life you desire.

But what will you do?

You were born.

You are here now.

You are part of it all.

“We are all connected; To each other, biologically. To the earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe atomically.” Neil deGrasse Tyson

So, yeah, you matter!

The decisions you make and actions you take, they all matter.

But how can you matter in a good way? To have purpose in this little life.

For Starters, Give Yourself Permission to Matter

I hate writing stuff like that because it always comes off as fluff BS. But it has to be said. Here’s why. Birth is like a lottery, who the hell knows what culture, area of the world or family you will be born into.

If someone is born into a bad situation where year after year they’re neglected mentally and physically they will deeply struggle to see their self-value. They can still be successful, hyperactivity fills the void, but at the same time that person can be completely destroyed inside due to lack of self-value.

You have to see the bigger picture and acknowledge that nobody can replace you. You are part of something bigger and you do matter. Nobody can take that from you.

Just give yourself permission to matter so you can take action and you’re already on a new trajectory.

Tap Into Your Story

If you want to have a meaningful life you have to get to know yourself. I’m talking about inner exploration.

It’s essential to understand your own life story to start uncovering your path or purpose. Whatever you want to call it. The idea is to get on the right track so you can do something meaningful.

A process we use for this in our mentorship program is called self-inventory.  We break down the story into key motivational factors and life pillars.

Below is a quick example of the life pillars.

How you interpret the events of your life impacts how you see yourself and the world around you.

Not only is it meant to help you reflect on your life and develop a positive and meaningful life story but it also helps you understand what is most important to you. It’s a guiding light.

Are you on the right track?

Foster Great Relationships

This requires a full book to really cover the topic but let me drop some key insights to demonstrate why it’s so important.

When people have a baby it changes their world. It gives them purpose. They matter to that little bundle of joy who relies on their care. It’s a beautiful thing.

Putting the effort out to create positive relationships not only drives your success in life but you matter to people and it’s the key to your happiness.

Let me back that up. There was a 75 year study by Harvard that found the 1 secret to living a fulfilling life. Can you guess what it was? Duh, it’s good relationships! They make you happier and healthier.

Don’t be shy or lazy. Stay connected, build new relationships. Help others do better in life. Offer your care and services.

Be of value to the people you engage with around you.

Do Work That Matters and Use Your Time Wisely

We interviewed Tony Robbins for Change Creator Magazine and he said something that just stuck in my mind.

“The most sacred gift that you can give, besides your love, is your labor. So find something that you’re here to play for that’s more than just yourself.” Tony Robbins

Tony is an incredible inspiration and his book Awaking the Giant Within is a one that I highly recommend.

There is one thing in this world you cannot get more of – time!

How you spend that time is important to your fulfillment and the world.

We have families and bills and sometimes feel stuck doing shit work to manage those things. You’re a rockstar already for taking one on the chin and doing what you got to do, but guess what, if you want, you can still get on a track to wake up pumped to do something that actually matters to you and a lot of others.

Is it easy to make the transition, no. Is it worth it, hell yes!

Remember what I said in the beginning of this article about the fourth revolution and more opportunity than ever? There has never been a better time to create your own unicorn life that gives back to society and makes cash.

Don’t have experience doing what you want to do? Start volunteering on the side, get a side gig, take a new job with a social enterprise playing the space you want to be in. The hard truth is that you usually have to straddle two jobs for a while to make a transition.

You might say, I don’t have any time. Don’t have time…or won’t make time? Do me a favor and track your TV time everyday for 2 weeks and let me know how many hours. Or let me know what time you get up and sleep. I woke up everyday at 330-4am to do side hustle work, then took a train from Philly to New York City for work. Came home at night, went to gym, spent time with my family, and repeated next day.

Ask yourself this question? Are you on the path to become who you want to be 10 years from now?

If you say no, then decide to start making changes now to change your path.

When the pain of not doing something about your life becomes worse than doing something to make a change, you will start your process.

Conclusion

You already matter to the world but what you decide to do every day will determine the way in which you matter to the world and yourself.

The world needs you to spend your time wisely.

I write this article with a lot of passion and honesty. These are things that I have lived and heard from some of the top thinkers in the world.

I’m sharing them now to inspire you to live your truth and find more happiness through the actions you take and the way you see the world.

Share this with someone you think might like a little motivation today. Together, we can change the world!

[earnist ref=”leadership-of-tomorrow-with-se” id=”33616″]

What Is the One Thing I Can Do to Seem More Confident Around Powerful People?

What Is the One Thing I Can Do to Seem More Confident Around Powerful People?

This is one of the most popular questions we get here at Change Creator. With all the major influencers out there, it can be quite intimidating to start a business, a movement — or both.

A lot of you have told us that you feel you suffer from impostor syndrome.

Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon, fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a concept describing individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a “fraud”. (Definition from Wikepedia.)

Impostor syndrome should never hold you back from making the world a better place, from starting that business that you are deeply passionate about, or from getting out there and starting a movement.

We’ve all had those moments of doubt and insecurities. All of us have been there, but you know what? We all had to start somewhere too.

Let’s face it. Life is an exciting adventure, right? You never have to stop learning if you don’t want to.

If you want to, you can enjoy every bumpy adventure along the way in your journey, including those times when you feel like a full-fledged imposter.

If you don’t want to feel like an amateur (even, if by definition, you are), what is the one thing you can do to seem more confident around powerful people?

The answer is simple:

Be curious.

Curiosity is the one trait that I see in every, single big-time success story.

If you want to mix and mingle with the ‘big wigs’, just be curious. Ask questions! Be genuinely curious in what they are doing instead of rushing in to brag about the work you are doing!

A genuine curiosity will take you far in life. Don’t just take this advice from me, this shit is the real deal. In fact, Dale Carnegie talks about this principle in his classic, powerful book: How to Win Friends and Influence People.

My dad made me read this book when I was 12. Yes, 12. Thanks, dad! I have probably re-read it a dozen times since. It is a true classic. One of the principles Carnegie talks about is the art of conversations (often with super powerful people). His advice is to let them talk more than you talk. People will go away feeling that you really listened to them, that you had an amazing conversation if you just let them talk about what they got going on.

I would add, don’t just listen. Be curious. Ask questions. Ask advice. Don’t be afraid that you will look naive, or underqualified — your genuine curiosity will overcome that anyway.

Let’s face it. We all start somewhere. If you are not where you want to be in life, that’s okay. You can get there. Building solid relationships with others is vital. Sometimes you’ll be in a room with some serious heavy-hitters. You can overcome that feeling of dread, and inadequacy with one genuine moment of curiosity.

So get out there folks! You can do it!

How to Really Reach Out to an Investor (And Not Waste Their Time)

This article was written by Luni Libes and originally posted at https://lunarmobiscuit.com.

Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes is sometimes hard, especially when you are a first-time entrepreneur and you are reaching out to an investor.  Here are a few tips to help:

1- Wasting time.

If your words make you sound like you’ll be a waste of time, most investors will not even both to reply to you.  If your words are in fact wasting time, those words might not even be read.

Here’s the opening paragraph of a message I received on LinkedIn:

Its my pleasure connecting with you . Actually I have a very good Business Project & looking for investor. It has been brought to my attention that you are a strong investor. I have been told of several businesses that got their start with your backing. At present, I am seeking investor help for my project, the business project which I have has a great demand & a very good prospect & as well as very much profitable.

And another:

Let me take this moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart for accepting my invitation.I’m working on my product MVP which would complete by December 2017 using Agile scrum approach. It’s going to be an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based social media and search engine. At the moment, I have hired a UX/UI designer to develop logo and wireframe. Needless to say, I’m spending my own $money to create an MVP for investors like you. I have prioritized the features based on product market fit pyramid and performed an extensive features mining exercise with my team.

2- Build excitement.

You are so excited about your startup (or project) that you are taking the time to reach out to others.  Remember that they don’t share that excitement.  They’ve no idea what you are doing.  Before you ask them to do anything, and anything includes clicking on a website or opening an attachment, get them excited.

Does this message make you want to click the link?

Hello, my static (teaser) website is live. www.w.com. Hope, everything is great at your end. I will reach out to you if you are okay for your invaluable suggestions and input(s).Thanks.

Does this message make you want to open the attachment?

I would like to send you a proposal that is solely based on positive social impact. It has a business side to it, but then the proceeds go towards sustaining social project. Please have a look it when you have time and let me know what your thoughts are about it.

3- Provide details.

You competition for my attention is every other startup on the planet that falls within my area of interest, and my interests are broad.  The entrepreneurs who get that attention tell me something about what they are doing before asking to talk.

This doesn’t work:

Thx for joining Hope we can get in touch the next days.

Neither does this:

Thanks for accepting my invite. Looking over your profile, it shows me that you’re a leader. Let me ask you, are you open to looking at new exciting opportunities? If you’re open, let’s have a short phone conversation.

4- Area of Interest.

Every investor has areas of interest, and it’s a waste of both your time and theirs to pitch something that is obviously not a fit.

We are creating a decentralized Blockchain OTC (Over-the-Counter) Investment platform and would like to collaborate with you. Our Whitepaper and introduction video are available on our website www.io

I do understand that LinkedIn makes recommendations for connections, and that it is easier to click on all of those vs. reading who the people are and what they are interested in, but connecting to me only to pitch me a blockchain or mobile app is not a good use of time.

Problem / Solution / Ask.

The proper way to pitch is to start by explaining what problem you are solving.  Then given some details on the solution.  Then and only then make an ask.

An example of an entrepreneur doing this correctly:

My organization is tackling unemployment in South Africa.  The plan is to set up a Youth Development Center using shipping Containers where we will: teach custom build furniture using recycled pallets. Refurbish computers for computer classes. Have a pottery studio , a sewing studio, welding machine, a community kitchen.

An example of a fellow ecosystem builder:

I am active within Maine’s growing Entrepreneur/Mentoring community and would like to discuss many of the areas we have in common. I believe there is a potential for some synergies and hope we can grab some time on either Monday or Tuesday next week.

In both cases, note how they managed to provide enough details within one paragraph.  That’s really all it takes.  One well-crafted paragraph to explain what you do, to build the tiniest bit of interest and excitement by the recipient.  Just enough to get them to agree to the meeting.

I’ve worked with hundreds of entrepreneur and know that brevity doesn’t come naturally to most people, and that the style of writing taught in schools isn’t this style.  Sometimes what you need to do is forget what you were taught in school, get to the point, and do that in as few words as possible

Do Millennials Really Need Companies that Care About Money and Mission?

Do Millennials Really Need Companies that Care About Money and Mission?

The answer to this is really easy — yes they do, at least according to the data.

A recent survey done by American Express, Redefining the C-Suite: Business the Millennial Way, found that for Millennials, it is a priority for businesses to have a double bottom line, meaning profit and impact.

As for the Millennials they interviewed:

  • 68% said they want to make a difference in the world
  • 81% said that a successful business needs to have a genuine purpose
  • 78% employer should match their own values

This isn’t news to us at Change Creator as we have seen plenty of data from our own market research that suggests these numbers are much higher? In today’s political and economic environment, it only makes sense that companies and businesses are doing more than just making a profit.

But what if your company does not align with your values?

But what if the company you work for does not align with your values and you, like so many others decide that this is vital? There are many ways you can begin to implement a social impact model in your company or better yet, why not start your own purpose-driven business?

Before you tell your boss to take your job and shove it, evaluate your situation. That starts with you. I can’t tell you how many people have reached out to us for our mentorship program with a lot of really passionate ideas, but no clear direction on how their values align with their business idea. Before you commit to anything, you are going to have to do the hard work of looking inward and evaluating your values.

What do I need to do before I start my own purpose-driven business?

This is not a question I can answer in one blog, but let’s dig in anyway, shall we? There are a lot of things you can before you take that big leap. We all love a good side hustle, don’t we?

If you are working for a soul-sucking company that does not align with your values, don’t quit (just yet). Take this time to do prepare yourself and your life to take that giant leap. You don’t want to go into any business unprepared.

There are many things you could be doing to get started.

Do a self-inventory.

  • Write down your goals — think big, long-term, and short-term goals.
  • Make a list of all your financials and assets.
  • Make a list of all your resources — think friends, family, time, skills. It all counts.
  • Brainstorm some ideas. What are you passionate about? What do you read about? Start with what drives you, the mission will come.
  • Tell everyone you know what you are doing. Now is really the time to test and validate your idea in the real world, and by that I mean anywhere that isn’t inside your own head.

That’s not a huge list, right? But these things take time. The most important thing to do before you start is to plan. Plan where you want to go, how you want to get there and figure out the resources you’ll need to do it.

If you are struggling with the transition from employee to boss, or just want some help clarifying your social impact business idea, we can help. If you want to talk just stop by here and set something up.

Interview with Michael Berean: Getting Started and Breaking Through Market Saturation

Exclusive interview with the founder of Grace Innovation, Michael Berean.

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In this interview we talk with the CEO of Grace Innvoation, Michael Berean, to learn how he started his business and what it takes today to get noticed in a saturated market.

At Grace Innovation they help serious business leaders stay ahead of marketing trends and shape your narrative for solid delivery.

Michael believes everyone has a well of infinite creativity inside them. With over 15 plus years in the field of digital marketing, branding, and design, he learned that developing solid relationships, creating unique experiences, and giving people more than they expect can make all the difference.

He founded Grace Innovation in 2013, a company that focuses on creative, content, design, and social media. He also founded Puzel in 2016, a SaaS company that focuses on audience gamification.

In this interview we touch on topics like

  • Why he started Grace Innovation
  • How he got his first clients
  • Marketing tips
  • How to get noticed in a saturated market
  • Why you should give back more
  • Should you try scheduling meetups?
  • How to not miss what’s happening right now
  • Video

Want more? Listen to a boatload more interviews here

6 Best Boss Bitch Books You’ll Want to Read Today!

What defines a boss bitch? It’s a good thing.

Trust me. If you want to succeed in business, you need to harness that boss bitch attitude. I’m not just writing this for all the ladies out there — although, I love a great woman at the top. I’m writing this for anyone who wants to make things happen. It can be a long road to the top, but these books have you covered.

If you are starting from the bottom, or just want to take your business to the next level, a good book will seriously help you out. Need some inspiration? Pick up a book. Need some serious, kick-ass inspiration, read one of these books?

How can you harness the boss bitch mentality in your business?

The list below is just a start, but I guarantee you will be transformed by these books. Let’s face it. We all have those days in our lives and our business that we need to harness that warrior, boss bitch mentality.

This year, I’ve had a lot of those moments in my own business. You know, those super-tough meetings when you just have to put on your big girl pants and deal with the situation. I can tell you that every time I have one of these meetings, it’s always about money.

What is it about money and a girl in charge that makes people feel that they can take advantage? If you want to be truly successful, you’re going to have to take charge of your life. You are going to have to dig deep and find that mindset of bad boss bitch at times.

I’ve learned how to assert myself as a boss in business, but this didn’t happen overnight. I’ve also had those negotiations where I didn’t assert myself. Agreed to do something I shouldn’t have. Committed to way more than I should have. That’s not the boss bitch mentality, to be sure.

You see, harnessing that boss bitch mentality doesn’t happen overnight. But, you can speed up the process with these books.

So, get out there and make shit happen. Here are my top 7 picks for best boss bitch books that you really have to read:

First Pick: Boss Bitch: A Simple 12-Step Plan to Take Charge of Your Career

 

 

While not specifically about business, I decided to put Nicole Lapin’s book on this list because it’s full of great insights (plus I love the name, obviously).

I started this list with this pick because it’s a great starting point, as the introduction says

“You don’t need dozens or hundreds of employees to be a boss, says financial expert and serial entrepreneur Nicole Lapin. Hell, you don’t even need one. You just need to be confident, savvy, and ready to get out there and make your success happen. You need to find your inner Boss Bitch — your most confident, savvy, ambitious self—and own it.”

Being a boss should start in your own life. How you approach everything matters. This is also a great book for those of you who haven’t quite clarified your direction in life yet. The first section is all about figuring out what career choice is best for you. Although she’s talking about ‘career’, you can take many of the principles to mean ‘business’.

The final two sections of the book get more into the boss bitch mentality and what it takes to lead. If you want to be a leader in your life, this is a great book to start. You can find the latest edition on Amazon here!

Pick Two: You Are a Badass

 

 

The subtitle of this book, “How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” really says it all, doesn’t it? We all have those feelings of doubt with our abilities. We all feel ‘less than’ at times, especially when it comes to business. Those days, weeks, even months that you are building your empire can be soul-sucking.

At Change Creator, many of you have expressed this fear to us — that you feel like you are not good enough, that you are an imposter, that in some way you are lacking. I’m here to tell you that we all feel like that at times, but there are strategies you can do to overcome these fears, starting with picking up a copy of You Are a Badass.

Now, I’m not going to promise you that this book is revolutionary in any way. It’s mainstream, pop, fun, but it will give you a lift and pick me up. It’s an easy read too. It’s a little bit of fluff, mixed with some real-deal truths on how to stop making excuses and how to improve your life. It’s on the list because there is way more good in this little gem, than there is annoying, although the snappy, hip dialogue does get tiring after a while.

Pick Three: #Girlboss

 

 

When Sophia Amoruso was 22 years old, she was broke, living in San Francisco, eating dumpster bagels and working the front desk of an art gallery to buy herself some vintage clothes.

That life would soon be disrupted by a lifetime of ups, downs, and immense success. What started as a good idea to sell vintage clothes online — with proper marketing, became an empire. This is the story of how she got there and what lessons she learned along the way. If you want to start a business that matters, this book is a great inspiration. It’s witty, smart, and sassy just like a #Girlboss book should be.

Pick Four: How to be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering Life

 

 

I would never have imagined that a YouTube star’s book would make my list of boss bitch books to love, but here we are. Surprisingly, there are a lot of smart, clever gems of inspiration that will really help you harness that bad bitch mentality and be the boss of your own life, including:

  • How to let go of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
  • How to treat niceness like an item on your daily to-do list (and get more done).
  • How to schedule inspiration, not just wait for it to hit you.
  • How to continually challenge yourself to do more.

I’m not saying that this book is a revelation, but it does have a few solid, helpful tips that can lead you to a new way of taking charge of your life and business, so right there it’s totally worth it.

Her vivacious, youthful energy does come through in the book. You can also check her out in her day job here:

Pick Five: The Body Is Not An Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love

 

 

I can’t give this book enough love. It’s something every human being needs to read. According to Sonya Renee Taylor, radical self-love is the key to a better world. That’s simplifying things quite a bit, but it’s true. The systems of our world are tired and play off of putting the ‘other’ down. Racism, sexism, any ‘ism is due to the fact that we don’t radically love ourselves and see others as ‘less than’.

We met the incomparable Sonya Renee Taylor at the Socap conference in San Francisco last year. Her vivacious spirit oozes out of every page of this book. It really was quite a read. There are plenty of thought-provoking moments throughout this book, which is really designed to make you think and change your perspective in life.

Read this book to learn also how Sonya became the boss bitch in her life and how she created a movement and a business that continues to grow and inspire millions of people every year. What are you waiting for? Get this book here! 

Pick Six: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

 

 

By, now, you should be sensing a pattern.

If you are not feeling more empowered already, this could be the book to get you going. Although this book was written by a dude, I’m adding it the list because it has a clear message that any girl boss needs to know — not to take shit from anyone.

This little gem has become a guiding light to many. I like its message and I think it’s a good place to end this list.

In the end, being a boss bitch is all about finding your power and doing what you know is right. It’s about becoming a better you. It’s about leading with heart and making the world a better place.

Do you have any books to add to the list? Join me at our Facebook Group and get in on the discussion!

Why Great Entrepreneurs Are NOT Normal

What is a great entrepreneur?

There are many rich entrepreneurs who have built crazy big businesses but that does not make them great.

A great entrepreneur, in my opinion, is someone that has the ability to innovate a financially successful business model around something that truly matters to them and the planet. That’s the magic and the future of business.

An example is Alasdair Harris. He won and award at from the Skoll World Forum for business, Blue Ventures, and was on the cover of Change Creator Magazine.

Harris was a scientist looking for a solution to overfishing and conservation in Madagascar. The locals livelihoods relied on fishing. He needed funding to test his conservation ideas and the locals thought his ideas were nuts. He reluctantly started the for-profit business Blue Ventures to create a sustainable revenue model that funded his mission. Now he has scaled his conservation efforts around the world.

But, why do I say great entrepreneurs are anything but normal?

Well, what is normal?

I find it odd that we live in world where everyone fights to be more normal because being normal gets us nowhere.

Normal is typically whatever a culture defines it to be.

In some cultures it’s normal to stack rings around your neck to stretch it out as much as you can.

In China it was normal to bind women’s feet so they don’t grow.

And today, it’s normal around the world to build a business for the sole purpose of profit at any cost.

Normal Behavior is For Mundane People

Doing what everyone else does is normal. But you can’t do what everyone else does and expect different results and definitely not greatness.

You’re told to color inside the lines but a great entrepreneur sees no lines or they see them and just don’t care.

They explore by pushing new boundaries. That’s how the next big disruption is discovered.

The daily routine of someone training for the Olympics and not something most could ever even bare for a few days. It’s not normal but it’s necessary to achieve something great. They think different and they act different.

Mallika Dutt was the founder of Breakthrough and I love her story because she had the courage of a lion and was like David standing up to Goliath.

Her big mission was to change how people thought about and treated women in India. Her solution was to create a pop culture music video with a message so it would reach the masses.

She was actually able to get Virgin Records on board to help with the video but they told her that nobody wanted to hear a song about abuse of women. They said it would fail so they would not pay for the development of the video, unless she changed it. She stuck to her guns and found another way to fund the video.

The music video was a great success and hit the top 10 charts in India. She also won an award for social entrepreneurship from the Skoll Foundation.

You have to be OK with being called crazy and you have to believe in ideas even when others don’t.

How about Maggie Doyne? After high school she woke up one day and decided to skip the whole college thing. She flew to Nepal and became passionate about orphan care.

She decided to take all her babysitting money she saved over the years and buy a small piece of land so she could pursue her dream of creating her own children’s home and orphanage.

Maggie Doyne went from a teenager with a backpack to building a successful foundation and beacon of hope for the children and women of Kopila Valley.

Normal Business is Bad Business

Every year a company must make more money to beat the previous year’s numbers. That means to sell more stuff which means to use more resources.

If I was Poland Springs that would mean taking more water from communities to package it up in more plastic bottles that fill our oceans and never go away. Ok maybe I hate plastic water bottles, they are the devil, but that’s me.

When the focus is to make as much profit as possible that’s when business practices go sour because it drives bad decision making which neglects people and planet.

A great example is, planned obsolescence – when a company basically makes crap with limitations so it breaks down or needs to be replaced regularly. This keeps people buying. Yeah, it’s a real thing.

Maybe you have kids and found that small pieces of toys tend to fall apart rather quickly and you have to buy more stuff.

Or you noticed that something breaks just after the warranty expires. Oops, that wasn’t on purpose, or was it?

Consider smartphones. Often discarded after a mere couple years’ use, their screens or buttons break, batteries die, or their operating systems, apps, and so on can suddenly no longer be upgraded. But a solution is always nearby: brand new models, pumped out every year or so, and touted as “the best ever”.

Can we make things last, yes, if we want to.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not just that corporations are being devious and greedy. There’s a consumer culture at hand too that makes the demands. We want cheaper, new and more. Of course, that culture was bread by corporations. You’ve never been manipulated though, right (devious laugh now)?

Yes, there is argument about jobs and economy but none of that matters when the planet we rely on is going to shit.

So while people do get more of the things they want we have to look at what the true cost is of our normal approach business is.

Conclusion

Being normal is relative and will only give you normal results. Don’t let others dictate your path and determine your destiny because progress counts on you breaking the norm.

Doing what is normal will just keep giving us the same results.

Changing the world to create a brighter future requires new radical people and ideas that push the boundaries.

So please, let your weird crazy side go wild and rebel against the norm.

Saving Women’s Lives: How Nomi Network is Taking on Modern-Day Slavery

I found out about Nomi Network because I lived a block away from co-founder Alissa Ayako Williams from 2011 to 2013. She shared with me and other neighbors ways we could be abolitionists in the fight against modern-day slavery: purchasing slave-free goods, donating to organizations working against slavery and raising awareness about human trafficking. I visited the Nomi Network pop-up holiday shop at Union Square in Manhattan then and have since collected an array of their products made by women who have survived or are at risk for human trafficking.

Why I Choose Nomi Network

I am also adding items from Nomi Network to my merch table when I have solo music gigs. By connecting workers, designers, retailers, and consumers, Nomi Network is chipping away at the problem of the horrific $150 billion illegal industry of trafficking 46 million people through their presence in urban Cambodia, in rural India, and at conferences concerned with the impact of the global fashion industry.

“You have all heard that it takes a village to raise a child, I believe it takes a network to end modern-day slavery.” Diana Mao, Co-Founder and President.

Having sourced recycled materials from its beginnings, one of Nomi Network’s newest product lines features accessories made from upcycled tires in Cambodia.  Although the country has more of the natural resource rubber than it has tire manufacturing facilities, scrap tires can serve as breeding grounds for disease-causing mosquitoes and present a risk of long-burning fires that pollute the air, soil, and water.

Each item in the collection is handmade and preserves the grooves and unique patterns of wear from the tires. According to Princy Prasad, Nomi Network’s sales manager,

“My personal favorite aspect of the collection is that we do not alter it at all…. An item once discarded, but suddenly [it] gets a second life. That is the best kind of recycling.”

Rubber is part of Cambodia’s long history of agricultural trade. The first centuries of Cambodia’s history included irrigated rice-growing, rule by Buddhist or Hindu kings, and commerce and power struggles with China, Thailand, and Vietnam.  The country was a French protectorate from 1863-1953. France established rubber plantations in eastern Cambodia in the 1920s. Similar to Cambodia’s ancient regional commercial relationship, policies and investment from China, Thailand, and Vietnam significantly impact the contemporary rubber industry.

My Nomi Traction Zip Pouch

Although rubber continues to be the country’s second-biggest export (after rice), fluctuating prices in recent years have led to clearing land for new rubber plantations in areas previously used for growing food and ecological conservation. Creating plantations and processing the rubber increase the amount of carbon and nitrous oxide in the air. This dramatic change in land use has led to disagreements between villagers living in or near potential sites for new plantations, foreign and domestic business owners, and government authorities.

As of 2011, rubber maintained a consistent place among Cambodia’s industries, while textile, wearing apparel, and footwear manufacturing had overtaken all sectors except agriculture. There are currently 600,000 Cambodian workers in the garment industry.  The government and the International Labour Organization are collaborating to improve wages and working conditions. Yet, some of these workers are victims of human trafficking.

Human Trafficking in Cambodia: A Short History

The poverty that causes human trafficking in Cambodia dates back to 1970s. After gaining peaceful independence from France in 1953, Cambodia became entrenched in the Cold War, climaxing during the Vietnam War with violence between the government’s Khmer Republic and the communist Khmer Rouge. When the Khmer Rouge took power, they killed 1.7 million people and expelled city residents to rural agricultural work.

Although the Khmer Rouge was overthrown in 1979, the 1980s were filled with guerilla warfare between opposing factions as human and economic systems languished. Through U.N. support starting in 1991, a three-party coalition government was established in 1993. The new millennium began with tensions continuing among the political parties as Khmer Rouge leaders were tried for genocide and crimes against humanity. Although the government passed a series of initiatives for labor, industrial development, women’s empowerment, and social protections by 2015, executing them all is a complex and long-term process.

Meanwhile, every stage of human trafficking happens in Cambodia: victims are taken from, taken through, and taken to the country. 201,000 Cambodians are in forced labor, predominantly as fishermen, garment workers, domestic workers, and sex workers. While policies exist to reduce trafficking, local enforcement varies, and the majority of work for survivors is done by NGOs.  Nomi Network is one of them.

Nomi Network

Co-Founders Diana Mao, Alissa Ayako Williams, and Supei Liu named Nomi Network after an eight-year-old survivor of sex trafficking they met in Cambodia. The non-profit launched in 2009 to provide training and job opportunities for survivors and women at risk of trafficking.

Their first partnership with an organization serving these women employed 23 in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. By 2012, they grew to support 80 women and established a product line with tote bags and electronics cases made from recycled rice sacks.

Their model continued to partner with shelters for survivors and social enterprises, employing 400 in Phnom Penh in 2014 as they provided training in design, quality control, and marketing. The next year, they assisted more organizations in developing product lines and investing in equipment.

Some of my favorite Nomi products.

In 2016, their offices in Cambodia began to include a comprehensive in-house education program: Nomi International Fashion Training Program. It helps workers refine their skills in reading and executing spec sheets as well as providing classes for entrepreneurs in market access, logistics, and personal development. The program also hosts networking events between U.S. retailers and Cambodian social enterprises. Nomi Network is positioning themselves to foster Cambodians not only as well-paid and well-treated producers of garments but as fashion industry leaders.

Since 2012, Nomi Network has also worked extensively in Bihar, India, a state where the caste system has significantly contributed to the 70% poverty rate.

“When a woman leaves our programs, we want them to be able to stand on their own two feet, with the tools and resources we provide. The same goes for how we work…because we hope that instead of adding to the carbon footprint, greenhouse gases, or negative impact…we change it with the positive and support a business that ushers in that change.” Princy Prasad, Sales Manager.

Helping to raise awareness and make money.

In addition to their job training, the online marketplace, and pop-up shops, Nomi Network raises awareness and advocates for ending modern-day slavery and for making supply chains sustainable. They present about forced labor, child labor, and supply chain transparency to major retailers and brands. They have sponsored a design competition at Parsons School of Design in which students design products using recycled materials and ethical production methods. They have led discussions at the UN, the White House, and the Concordia Summit.

Although less than 10 years old, Nomi is stopping generational cycles of poverty. Women whose families once sold or threatened to sell them are able to earn a living and keep their children in school. Workers have consistent livelihoods and a few have earned enough to attend college. Thousands of people have been impacted by their training and advocacy.

A few more of my personal favorite Nomi products.

If you want to buy one of their products, check out this beautiful pillow now!

Interview with Rachel Renock: How Wethos Raised $1M to Fund a Nonprofit Revolution!

Exclusive interview with the founder of Wethos, Rachel Renock.

Subscribe to this show on  iTunes  |  Stitcher  |  Soundcloud

What if you could work for yourself as a freelancer helping companies that have a social impact mission? Well, thanks to Wethos, now you can!

In 2016, Rachel Renock start the company to build a platform that connect social impact companies with socially conscious people freelancers.

In a short period of time they build the platform, proved it worked, connected with some investors who “got” what they were doing, and landed their first $1 million in funding.

Since then they have been featured in Forbes, the NY Times, NBC and more.

Wethos nonprofits range from small budget grassroots community causes to some of the largest and well-known organizations in the country. They turn applicants around in 24-48 hours with the promise that each freelancer is hand-picked based on talent and reliability for your cause.

Give it a shot! Even Rachel used her own platform at one point to make some extra cash during her journey 🙂

Some topics we discuss:

  • How she got started with Wethos
  • A big mistake people commonly make when starting a company
  • How did they validate their idea?
  • Is competitive analysis really helpful?
  • How did she approach funding and when?
  • Does funding solve your problems?
  • How do you find and connect with the right investors?

Plus much more!!

https://wethos.co

Listen to more awesome interviews here

Can Artificial Intelligence Make Your Team Even More Awesome? (3 Tips)

technology trends

This article was originally written by Jennifer Riebli and published on B the Change.

My uncle once claimed he could magically tell you the day of the week if you gave him any calendar date (day, month and year). He said he could visually see the answer in his head and swore he didn’t have any quick calculation or trick. My father was skeptical. He bet my uncle $100 that he could develop an algorithm to do the same.

The next day, my father produced a page of calculations that, lo and behold, would produce the correct answer. I was in awe; my uncle was not as impressed. But, my dad still won the money.

Understanding What AI is

Algorithms have been around for thousands of years and are an essential and critical element behind artificial intelligence (AI). Algorithms are structured, step-by-step instructions, and computers are excellent in using algorithms at exceptional speeds. Scientists discovered that computers are not only fast with completing the calculations, but that they can also “learn” from them.

This is what’s called “machine learning,” which is a subset of AI. People give the system a goal and provide feedback along the way — an error for wrong behavior and a reward for favorable outcomes. Through these reinforcement signals, the system is able to “learn” an optimal approach to achieve the desired goal.

Because computers have the ability to scan vast amounts of data, process calculations and assess probabilities at lightning speeds, machine learning is quickly proving to be an incredible advancement that will tremendously impact our lives.

3 Way AI Can Help With Team Success

Workplace learning — the ongoing leadership and skills development that takes place within a company—could stand to greatly benefit and improve with the right applications of AI. Here are a few three key ways I predict AI and machine learning will positively impact the experience of employees as learners:

1. Personalized and More Effective Learning Experiences

For many years now, the learning industry has touted the advantages of a more personalized learning experience. Now, with AI, this can be realized. Supported by back-end machine learning delivered through speech recognition and more intelligent user interfaces, the learner can experience more adaptation and tailoring to their specific needs and preferences.

Computers can do the behind-the-scenes data analysis and provide real-time feedback during a training experience, modifying a course path based on progress and response. Tests and quizzes can adapt to the learner’s inputs and intelligently recommend a tailored curriculum path. The learner gets a more efficient and personalized experience. Imagine: No more sitting in a five-day class if all the learner needs is just a portion of it.

2. Training Reinforcement

Surprisingly, we still don’t do a great job in training reinforcement. Yet, reinforcing the learning after a training event is critical to learning retention. (See my article on effortful recall for more details.) This is where machine learning and AI can make tremendous strides where humans have fallen short.

We don’t take time to reinforce learning — but computers can do it for us! Already, intelligent apps and systems are popping up in the marketplace that offer this. Like reminding us to take our vitamins, intelligent systems can engage us and help reinforce training, helping make the learning “stick” and increasing overall learning effectiveness as a result.

3. Measuring Effectiveness and ROI

Organizations have also failed in the area of measurement. With AI, we will have no excuse. Intelligent systems will be able to easily and quickly scan large quantities of data and pull from multiple sources, not just online assessments and course surveys. By correlating on-the-job activity in different existing systems with training programs, and even by matching employee profiles to create “buddy systems” and mentorships, AI will be able to help us modify training programs based on success and failure points. This will continuously improve the learning experience, so employees and trainers can focus on learning that actually produces results.

Make More Time for Meaningful Connection

All of these potential advancements will free up time for a company’s team that handles learning and development to focus on human interactions with employee-learners and think of new innovations and ideas in learning. The best strategy: Determine where computers and systems can automate the tedious tasks and analytics, so the team can provide more valuable human interactions with learners.

The potential is not far from reach: Different systems and authoring tools are already working to incorporate elements of machine learning. In addition, IBM WatsonGoogle Cloud PlatformAWS and others are providing developers with the ability to leverage these technologies to develop AI apps and engines that can feed into existing learning and development systems.

As David Clark, a senior research scientist at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, says, “I like to consider [in using AI]…what problem needs a solution.” I believe making learning more personalized, reinforced and measured are three key “problems” or areas where machine learning, AI, and all the algorithms behind the two can make a huge impact in workplace learning. And, this would ultimately improve productivity and free up time and space for humans to focus on new ideas, innovations and each other.

My father would be proud of the advancements in AI and machine learning, and I know he would gladly hand over his algorithms to a computer. As a teacher himself, he’d say he preferred the human interactions over the time-consuming grading and tedious administrative tasks that kept him from focusing on new ideas and ways to inspire and teach.

I predict that AI won’t replace the teachers, but teachers who find ways to embrace AI will outlast, and be more effective and satisfied in their work, than those that don’t.

You might want to check out, If You Have a Great Team and Want to Keep Them, Here’s What You Need to Know

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