My life. My rules. How a lawyer and a consultant had the courage to challenge deep-rooted corporate dogmas. (1)
A corporate lawyer limiting his employees’ billable hours and a consultant operating a pay-as-you-want pricing strategy. Sounds crazy? Or attractive? Cécile van Oppen and Sjoerd van der Velden, a sustainability consultant and a lawyer, grew tired of the existing corporate dogmas within their sectors and decided to change the rules of the game. Not just by starting their own business but by operating it in radically different way. Here’s part 1: Sjoerd’s story.
Persist, no matter how hard it gets. Insights from a social entrepreneur who turned her dream into a success
Five years ago Laurien Meuter set her first steps into the ‘doing good business’ in India hoping to change a few children’s lives by getting them into school. Today she is lifting an entire community of 700 out of extreme poverty by running a foundation and a social enterprise who’s products are sold in design shops all over the world. What happened in between? Laurien shares her learning experiences: valuable lessons to anyone who wants to follow in her footsteps and realise their own (social) dream. read more…
3 cool wool brands bringing joy to its customers ánd makers
These 3 cool wool brands know how to make their customers ánd their makers happy. Check out these woollen beauties that came to life by purpose-driven people thinking out-of-the-box, or actually, out-of-the-factory.
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Cool new concierge concept creates work and neighbourly unity
A ‘concierge service’ – taking care of errands and tasks people don’t have time for – seems a luxury most of us won’t splash our hard-earned money on. But a new French concept called ‘Lulu dans ma rue’ is the opposite of an exclusive service for the happy few. Founder Charles-Edouard Vincent’s focus is on creating work and rebuilding social connections in neighborhoods. He has set up an easy-access and affordable ‘conciergerie’ that connects locals that are looking for work opportunities and those that want a task or small job taken care off. French president Hollande is already a fan of ‘Lulu dans ma rue’.
Does the belly rule the mind? That’s what New York top chef Dan Barber is counting on
A short while ago I watched Netflix’ recently released documentary ‘Chef’s Table’ about six famous chefs and their life stories. It’s breath-taking beautiful. You don’t need to be a foodie to be moved by these people’s journeys. Each of them are compelling stories on perseverance, creativity and staying true to yourself. The episode featuring New York chef Dan Barber moved me the most. This is why.
A new trend in the products-for-your-privates business?
You have probably noticed the ‘go natural and fair’ revolution in the food industry? Well there is a similar but slightly less visible development emerging in a few other product categories too. The companies that lead this trend aren’t concerned with what you put in your mouth though. It’s other parts of your body they care about. Have you guessed it? It’s your genitals. Yikes! That’s an ugly word isn’t it?! Sorry! Privates? Anyhow, cool brands such as Einhorn , L. , Sir Richards and Yoni want to change the way we make the products-for-our-privates. In a cool way. Here’s how.
Grand mission but tiny marketing budget? Use the power of tribes
The coffee market is a pretty crowded place but radically cool brand Moyee manages to get noticed without George Clooney. How? They do what American marketing guru Seth Godin has been preaching for a while now, they assemble a tribe. Read here how Moyee inspires like-minded to spread their word.
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A dream phone come true
Imagine you could have a smartphone that is COMPLETELY customizable to your wishes, both functionally and aesthetically. Also imagine it easy to fix when broken. And easy to upgrade when technology advances, or when your needs change. Imagine a phone worth keeping instead of ending up at an African e-waste landfill – poisoning the land and the people – only 2 or 3 years after you bought it. Imagine a phone both cool and right. Sounds too good to be true? It isn’t! Read here why not.
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How to bring your mission to life with storytelling
When purpose-driven fast food brand Chipotle initially started talking about their beliefs and actions on sustainable farming, customers weren’t all that interested. Animal welfare, environmental impact and sustainable agriculture didn’t make them hungry. They just wanted a good burrito served quickly. Read here how Chipotle founder Steve Ells and his team used storytelling successfully to bring their mission to life and what is essential in doing so.
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When less is more, so much more
At Emeco, they make chairs to last a lifetime. You’re thinking: “So what? Doesn’t everybody?” Actually, no. Stylistic obsolescence – a product becoming obsolete (unfashionable) after a period of time – is what keeps the fashion and home deco industries going. Most introduce a new must-have collection every season so you will keep on buying more stuff. Read here why and how Emeco designs things – with famous designers such as Phillippe Starck – you want to hold on to. And your children after you.
