Break the rules and do things for yourself

Break the rules and do things for yourself. 

            Who said this?

a. Janis Joplin

b. Sex Pistols

c. Richard Branson

d. Gordan Ramsay

e. Howard Schultz

If you chose "e", you're the big winner. Mr. Schultz, CEO of Starbucks said this to a group of his employees and the results are staggering. The store in Seattle's trendy Capital Hill neighbourhood looks like an independent with an independent name- 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea. How can this be? Big Bucks Starbucks masquerading as an independent?  Mr. Schultz  is a very clever businessman.(google Starbucks Rebounds- blogger won't allow me to  hyperlink!)

Perhaps time for a refresher course taught by community-based economist  Michael Shuman, author of Going Local:  Creating self Reliant Communities in a Global Age (1998) and the more recent book The Small-Mart  Revolution: How Local Businesses are Beating the Global Competition (2006). Shuman writes in his blog.

Growing evidence suggests that every dollar spent at a locally owned business generates two to four times more  economic benefit—measured in income, wealth, jobs, and tax revenue—than a dollar spent at a globally owned business.

Please read Michael Shuman soon! He's one of our greatest hopes for re-igniting economically smart, vibrant communities. When is he coming to Vancouver? Hopefully soon!


Now I know he's not from Vancouver either but please google JOHNNY CUPCAKES (blogger won't allow me to hyperlink!) to really let it sink in how extraordinary it is to be a local business and the amazing impact it has on everyone in the community! 


His twitter bio says: "Dropped out of school + started a family run, ltd edition multi-million dollar t-shirt brand w/ no start-up loans, education, investors, advertising + wholesale". Worth following I'd say...
  

And a big meow to that!

Follow your Dreams or else....

I am prepared to go anywhere provided it be forward. 


~David Livingstone


A few months ago while living in my dingy Edmonton apartment I had the pleasure of viewing Dr. John Izzo's DVD Series "The Five Secrets you must Discover Before you Die." 


The series is based on interviews with individuals aged 60-105 and asks the question, "what would you do differently if you were young again?"


And the Five Secrets...

• Take More Risks
• Be More Generous
• Be more Loving
• Be more Reflective

Oops...Is that only four? Guess you'll have to read or watch the series and Dr. John Izzo's candid approach to living a fun, awesome, rich I ain't got-no-regrets life. He is the main reason I got off my butt and 
moved back to Vancouver. 

Thanks Dr. Izzo! Would otherwise still be miserable in my crappy apartment in arctic cold Edmonton..

And don't miss Jonathan Mead's fabulous blog Illuminated Mind. 

He has captured the essence of living life to its fullest without being an annoying "think positive cheerleader".  (you can follow him on twitter@jonathanmead)


(Blogger won't allow me to link his site so simply google "Illuminated Mind".)


Since returning to Vancouver at the end of December, I'd say my appreciation for the city has appreciated exponentially! 

 

In upcoming blogs, I'll be featuring local businesses, artists, writers... 

Smart, fun, daring, bold people who capture the essence of Vancouver and its' dynamic, vibrant spirit. 

And a big meow to that.

Purposeful Purchasing: Let Your Money Do the Talking

Posted by Shawna Gnutel

We've all heard the expression

money talks.
 
I saw an ad for a seminar entitled "Purposeful Purchasing" which read, "Let your money speak for you and watch businesses buy into your mission."

Guest Speaker Maggie Vilvang from (2010 Legacies NOW) is part of a consortium of disability missioned organizations in Vancouver known as accessWORKS. Maggie began her talk by explaining what Purposeful Purchasing was NOT.

1. It was not bulk buying.
2. It was not asking you to change where you buy stuff.
3. It was not about asking you to act more like a business.


Instead, Purposeful Purchasing is about moving away from a conventional charity model and moving toward 


acting more like a nonprofit
with spending power.


The Purposeful Purchasing Initiative is about disability missioned organizations in British Columbia "recognizing that every dollar spent, if spent with purpose, will advance the economic inclusion of people with disabilities." (Please read the background paper. )

According to StatsCan, social service agencies in Canada spend over 3.6 billion dollars annually. These organizations buy houses, cars, office supplies, groceries, janitor services, computers. YOU NAME IT!

So then doesn’t it make sense to position yourself as a consumer with a mission? To get started, organizations need to conduct a spend/supplier analysis- how much is being spent and where. Once that's completed you can send the supplier a letter and ask them to do a questionnaire/self assessment to rate themselves and their commitment to becoming a disability confident business.  

According to Maggie, building disability confidence in the supply chain is one of the main goals. And THINK ABOUT IT... there's no better time than during an economic downturn. Why wouldn't businesses be motivated to keep their customers satisfied and happy?

REALLY REALLY HAPPY :)

At its heart, Purposeful Purchasing uses spending as a strategy to advance mission and social change. The main inspiration for Purposeful Purchasing is based on the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC)
Buy Smart Program. The ultimate priority in VANOCs "sustainability purchasing" procurement policy, is to buy smarter, greener and with more social consciousness. So far, benefits to local communities has been substantial. Between 2003 and summer 2008, VANOC spent $1.8 million with inner-city businesses and organizations.

So whether you are an organization or a supplier, Purposeful Purchasing makes good business sense. 

And on that happy economic note, it's time to take action and usher in 2010 as an engaging year of empowerment, opportunity and positive change for you and your community.

For more information about Purposeful Purchasing, feel free to contact Maggie Vilvang: mvilvang@2010LegaciesNow.com.

 

Happy National Child Day!

posted by Shawna Gnutel


Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.


~John F. Kennedy


November 20 marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. (UNCRC) which outlines the basic human rights to which children and youth everywhere are entitled. Adopted on Nov. 20, 1989, the UNCRC has two optional protocols: the optional protocol on the involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and the optional protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and child Pornography.


KVO wishes to mark this important day and extends a special thank you and acknowledgement to all the extraordinary nonprofits and charities who protect and promote the well-being of our children.

Happy National Philanthropy Day!

Posted by Keep Vancouver Original CCO (Chief Creative Officer) Shawna Gnutel


"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"

~Martin Luther King Jr.

National Philanthropy Day was first recognized in 1986 and this year, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, has officially declared November 15, 2009 as National Philanthropy Day in Canada. This special day is marked to celebrate the extraordinary work of charities and to recognize the involvement of donors and volunteers, and their tremendous contribution to the quality of life in our communities.

As I was googling away, I came across author
Robert Urbanowski's book, Kickback. Last year, he donated copies of his book as gifts for a National Philanthropy Day luncheon. 

His story goes like this...

After five years of researching the dynamics of successful business, Robert discovered the "Law of Contribution". In his book, he discusses the key ingredients to acheiving a fulfilling, rich, happy life. There's even a quote from Brad Pitt, (the guy who everyone thinks has it all), which will pleasantly surprise you!


When I logged onto his website, I discovered the book and audio available as a FREE Download. I emailed Robert to see if there was a "catch." Here's his reply:


Hello Shawna:

There are a number of reasons why I chose to make the book available for free. Primarily, it is because this book represents a lot of work and a message that has become a passion of mine. It took me five years to write this book, and another year to get it published and into stores. The motive has never been to make money with this, but to get the message out into the world.

What I found was, when people read this book, they would contact me with very positive feedback about what the book meant to them, often asking for additional copies that they could share with friends and family.

While the book is available in stores, and on Chapters.ca and Amazon, I felt that the very best way to promote the idea and the message would be to make it available in a downloadable format, for free. It's a small action that illustrates the principle of contribution. I believe that the message is better in the hands of people, than sitting on store shelves :)

Who can argue with that?

In his book he writes that "many of the problems we experience stem from an incorrect focus."


"We focus inward when we should focus outward. Rather than "focusing inward and asking "what's in it for me" we should be focusing outward and asking "How can I give?" and "what can I contribute?"

And on that philanthopic note, Happy National Philanthropy Day everyone! Feel free to download Robert's awesome book Kickback in PDF or audio format. It's a thoughtful, excellent read! Enjoy.