Making the New Year happy

My wife and I have just spent 3 great days with two of our best friends.
I have been reminded yet again of the joy of friends and family.

To make this new year a happy one, serving our friends and family first is key.

“When you seek happiness for yourself it will always elude you.
When you seek happiness for others you will find it yourself.”
Albert Einstein

To help you get this new year off to a great start I recommend Juan Mann's free hugs campaign video on YouTube.
You can watch it here and the finding joy quotes from the Founder of Simple Truths, Mac Anderson. See them here

Wishing you and yours joy in 2009.

Be remarkable
Ian
International business speaker on why doing good is good for business

Expect More From 2009

This year is the 3rd time I have been a contributing author to an ebook organised by my good friend and internet marketing guru Gihan Perera. This years offering contains 40 articles by thought leaders on how to make the best of the year. You can download it here. Enjoy!

Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers

Business and Human Rights Resource Centre

As a researcher and speaker on corporate social responsibility I am always on the look out for the latest research particularly information and insights about what is actually happening in the marketplace as different to all the rhetoric. I have not come across a better resource than the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. Find them here This organisation tracks the positive and negative impacts of over 2700 companies, in 160 countries.

Be remarkable
Ian
Strategic advisor to difference makers

Branson's a builder of our new world

I have read all of Sir Richard Branson’s books. I also regularly fly on his airlines and use his mobile phone services, so I am obviously a fan. His latest book ‘Business Stripped Bare’ is in my view his best yet. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Social Responsibility.

Branson writes “Several years ago, I realised that if Virgin really wanted to make a difference with some of the tougher issues facing humanity, we had to start pulling together everything we were doing.” The result was Virgin Unite. “Our fundamental belief is that doing good is great for business. It’s not about the ‘golden charitable cheque’ but, rather, it’s about making sure that we leverage everything we have across our businesses ... There is such a thing as enlightened self interest, and we should encourage it. It is possible to turn a profit while making the world a better place.”

May there be more Richard Branson’s leading our businesses. For more on Virgin Unite click here

You can read 43 pages of Branson's book by clicking on the arrows on the book cover below. Enjoy.


Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers

I left my wallet in a taxi and got it back!

I left my wallet in a taxi yesterday and got it back. What’s more there was nothing missing out of it. I paid the taxi driver and got out of the cab and retrieved my briefcase from the boot. Then I went to put the receipt in my wallet only to discover I don’t have my wallet. By now the taxi has gone and despite the best efforts of the hotel concierge to chase after it, all to no avail. One concierge guy was brilliant in how quickly he telephoned the taxi company and using the cab registration number on my receipt eventually got onto the driver who returned my wallet intact.

Perhaps I was lucky. Perhaps it is because of the overall honesty of the people in Singapore. Perhaps it was the speed of the concierge. The following things I know. I felt encouraged by the good of humanity, that honesty is the best policy, and that little things make a big difference.

Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers

Honouring Difference Makers

I am in Singapore today and reading the local paper brought a smile to my face as I read the announcement it's Grandparents day here in Singapore today. This is a great idea. I am not aware of this being celebrated elsewhere. I spent time reflecting on my own Grandparents and even though they are long gone, their great and positive influence is still with me. I also reflected on my own role as a Grandfather and resolved to do more.

We need to honour the Elders in our world more. They are too seldom the unsung difference makers.

Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers

Charter for Compassion - Karen Armstrong

I was inspired by Karen Armstrong’s TED Talk some tme ago. Her passion to create a charter for compassion is equally inspiring. I am sure you will be inspired to! You can view the video here

Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers