Article: The TOMS Movement
I read an article today about TOMS on their website. To date the TOMS community have been able to put shoes on the feet of more than 1 million children through their One for One business model. But the company isn’t stopping there, today they announced that they are moving into providing eye care as part of the One for One model. Brilliant!
Here’s how it works:
Here are some things that jumped out at me while reading this article about TOMS.
1. Never underestimate the power of your community.
When what you do resonates with your community amazing things can happen. Take the time to find the simplest most powerful form of what you do. For TOMS it’s the concept of One for One that has resonated with it’s community. Note: just because things aren’t happening the way you envision them doesn’t mean it’s time to throw in the towel. You may need to scrap your idea or you may need to go to work on it stripping it down to a powerful simple concept that your community can embrace.
You have joined us in turning a shoe style that no one wore, into a top seller. And a business model that people thought was crazy, into a global movement. How did we get here today, now giving beyond shoes? Well, our customers. TOMS’ customers have given over one million pairs of shoes to children in need.
2. Sometimes you discover what’s next.
Far too often people try to make decisions from the boardroom without spending enough time among the people they are trying to serve. The reality is, sometimes you don’t decide what’s next but discover it. With the strong One for One model securely in place, the next step for TOMS would be a matter of discovery.
While Blake (TOMS Founder) was placing some of these shoes on children’s feet it became clear that the concept of One for One™ had become a powerful way to meet a basic need worldwide. Surrounded by extreme poverty and recognizing that there were still unmet needs beyond shoes, Blake realized that TOMS not only could meet more needs…TOMS should meet more needs.
How do we discover what’s next? It’s simple, have the courage to be present and patient.
3. Develop partnerships
Don’t fear partnerships. Once the idea came to Blake as to how TOMS could help, they went and learned all they could and in the process found a partner to team up with. The key is, finding a partner that resonates with your values. For TOMS it was about sustainability.
And we found – and learned from – our amazing first Sight Giving Partner, Seva Foundation. Founded over 30 years ago, Seva has been building and supporting sustainable eye care programs in developing countries – helping prevent blindness and restore sight, training locals in the eye care profession and educating communities about eye health. Their approach – responsible, respectful and geared toward sustainability – is what we always look for in our One for One™ giving. We worked together on a plan to reach the poorest of the poor with eyeglasses, surgery and medical treatment for sight-threating conditions.
Be patient. Be diligent. Don’t settle and when you find the people who resonate with you, don’t be afraid to partner with them!
Read the full story here.
Be Interesting
While waiting to get the oil changed in my car, I couldn’t help but notice Guy Fieri on the food network. I’m not a die hard foodie but I am pretty generous with my attention if something is interesting and Guy’s show was interesting. Plus, I was hungry! We could all learn a bit from Guy and the way he builds his experience.
1. Be You!
Guy doesn’t look like a typical chef but it’s doesn’t feel gimmicky either. You get the idea that he’s not being anyone but himself. The way he talks, his passion for food and good times all feels like the person he is. He may be one heck of an actor, but I think the audience would never know.
2. Add Your Own Flava
Every part of his show has his touch. His flavor is as much a part of the food as it is part of everything else you see. His refrigerator is fire engine red with a racing stripe and a race car number on it. His ovens match that look too. Behind him is a pool table, a pin ball machine, a flat screen TV and a small jam band area with a drum kit, keys, guitars etc. It feels like the place where friends come and eat good food, enjoy a game and then rock out. I’m not saying everyone needs to turn their places of business fire engine red, I’m saying that works for Guy and you have to find your own. Don’t be afraid to add your flava!
3. Know/Find Your Audience
Guy is not just teaching tips to better cooking. He is captivating and bringing you in to this experience. There is no question though, that Guy is geared toward a specific audience. I don’t think my mom would resonate with his show as I did. So while points 1 & 2 are vital you can’t win big unless you know your audience! Much of the problems people have is that they haven’t quite found their audience. Most people don’t just decide to do something and hit it big. It isn’t a “build it and they will come” for most people. It can be a much longer process of tiral and error until you find that sweet spot.
The reality is, Guy is among a slew of Chefs and cooking shows on TV right now. There are countless chefs in the world, many who may be able to cook better than Guy, but to me being able to cook better is only a piece in the experience puzzle. Guy has figured out that the whole puzzle includes all the little details most people would rather not care about.
How can we build better and more interesting experiences?
The Pushers
Photo by 15 Frames
Who are the people in your life that push you?
Push you to be better. Push you to be present. Push you to be thinking. I think every one needs someone that pushes them to greater things. There is a difference though between pushy people and people that push you. Generally, PUSHY people are focused on personal needs. People that PUSH are focused on YOU. The latter is what I want to focus on.
What’s at risk if we don’t have people in our lives that push us to something greater? For starters, we risk becoming just average versions of ourselves when so much more is possible. “Pushers” see value in us even when we don’t see it in ourselves, they offer perspective and move us into situations they know we’ll do well in. In the end, we’re usually glad they did. People that PUSH understand (consciously or unconsciously) that “people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”
Behind the greatest athletes are coaches who push. “One more lap, fifty more shots” all of which in the moment may not feel great but beneath the surface of sore muscles and exhaustion a transformation occurs. Athletes get stronger and better and those that push know this. Tiger Woods, as accomplished as he is, still has a guy who travels with him everywhere that speaks into the mechanics of his swing and his game because he values the perspective.
Remember this, the door to accomplishment is always labeled push.
Truth be told: I have moments when I doubt my own abilities but I have people that push, guys like Alejandro, Ron and my family. They keep me grounded, on my toes and call my bluff any time I try to weasel out of healthy challenges. I’m thankful for it.
Do you have people in your life that push you to greater things? I’m interested in knowing how they push you. What do they say? What areas do they push you in? Икони
Leadership vs. Management
Exclusive interview with Seth Godin from GiANT Impact on Vimeo.
The Creative Matters eBook is Here!!!
We all know that the work of Creating something from nothing is as exhilarating as it is exhausting. And every now and then we need a little inspiration, perspective, encouragement, and a good kick in the pants.
That’s why I’m so stoked to be a part of a new ebook for all of us Creative Contributors called, “Creative Matters.” It’s a series of essays and manifestos by a bunch of Creative leaders in the trenches, working it out week to week. So many great voices (including yours truly) contributed their thoughts and insights into this simple and crazy idea that “We are Created by a Creative God to Create.” Let’s Delete “Copy & Paste” and do the work God put us on this planet to do!
I really loved being a part of this project and what it’s gonna do, and the best part is…IT’S FREE!!!
Download it here and spread the love.
Jarrett Stevens and the wonder folks at Clark get it. I think this is just the beginning of some very cool stuff coming from this group and I can’t wait for it. You can also check out the new Creative Collective website which has some great content.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt: Mobile Growing Faster Than “All of Our Predictions.”
Volkswagen Commercial: The Force
As the Superbowl approaches, die-hard football fans gear up for a little gridiron action. But each year it seems like the anticipation for the Superbowl commercials grow too. This year Volkswagen decided to release one of their commercials a week before the Superbowl. With nearly 4 million views already it’s definitely gaining some buzz. Check it out here!
