Last night, as I watched the Nova special chronicling the rescue of 33 miners trapped more than a half mile below Chile's Atacama desert, I witnessed, not only a heroic rescue, but the potential to create purpose-driven business. One small mining company from remote Berlin Pennsylvania realized they could harness their company's abilities and expertise to solve a problem others considered impossible. With the lives of 33 human beings hanging in the balance, they believed
So a couple of thoughts:
1. Do watch the Nova special! It's Really moving! Really inspiring! Suggestion: You may even watch it with your team, then discuss, "What can we learn from this?" (here's an excerpt)
So what drove the Center Rock miners to exhibit awe inspiring creativity? To give their all? To work until the job was done? One of keeping people alive! Of freeing people who were trapped! Of bringing those doomed men back to their dear ones! Of using their skills and equipment to do what only they could do! Psssst...
So, you don't think 2 billion people living on less than 2 dollars a day is a need?
Or millions of workers without jobs is a need?
Or millions of people in financial debt and despair is a need?
Or kids turning to drugs to find meaning is a need?
Or children all over the world who don't have a pair of shoes is a need?
Or single moms who can't provide adequate shelter is a need?
Or the fact that most people in the US hate their jobs is a need?
Etc...............................
THE TRUTH YOU MAY NOT HEAR IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: BUSINESS ON PURPOSE WORKS... FOR PEOPLE AND FOR PROFITS!! (Though as long as profits is the real motive, your purpose remains just a false front, agree?)
In the new book The Orange Code: How ING Succeeded in Being a Rebel with a Cause, author and founder of ING Direct Arkadi Kuhlmann details his company's revolutionary rise in the banking industry. He writes, "From the democratization of the automobile to the idea that computers should serve people rather than the other way around, the most successful businesses—not just the ones that made money, but the ones that made a difference—each built themselves around a higher sense of purpose, and then elevated their brand to sit at the right hand of leadership as its spiritual guide."
Kuhlmann concludes, "While the idea of a business as a cause—with a brand as its constitution—might seem idealistic and even naïve in theory, it's not anymore. The level of success achieved by ING Direct holds some important lessons and offers some much-needed inspiration to a business world that could use a little of both right now."
So... would you rather work for a company that has a higher purpose? Or a company that doesn't?
Do you know anyone out there who's trapped? Who needs help? Who needs excellent products to improve their lives?
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