What's Wrong With Business?

As this Forbes article shows it looks like much of what is wrong with modern "Big Business" can be laid at the door of management strategy consultants. Maybe the guys at despair.com got it right all along.

The Graythorn Group Admires One Good Deed

One Good Deed chronicles Erin McHugh's adventures while she's performing ONE GOOD DEED a day for one year in preparation for writing a book about her experiences. (She'll only be posting a couple of deeds per week on the blog so you have something to look forward to in the book.)

Bravo, Erin. Bravo! We can all do ONE GOOD DEED per day.

Cometh the Corporatocracy?

"The Supreme Court today ruled in a five votes to four decision that corporations can now spend as much as they want on political campaigns. In other words, if Exxon or Dow wants to support a candidate, they can give him or her as much money as they want... The court ruled that corporations should be given the same right to free speech as people, which is — I mean, corporations are not people, and if they were people, they’d be real jerks." –Jimmy Kimmel

The Graythorn Group Admires: SparkPeople

SparkPeople only has one tiny little goal. To improve the health and fitness of everyone, everywhere. Nothing major, right? Based on the statistics that they track it looks like they are doing a good job of it (they've counted over 6 billion calories burned and over 8 million pounds lost). So what is it they think they're doing?

At SparkPeople, our mission is to SPARK millions of PEOPLE to reach their goals and lead healthier lives. We offer nutrition, health, and fitness tools, support, and resources that are 100% free... About Spark People

Now that is truly awesome.

The Graythorn Group Admires: Devinder Sharma

There isn't anything we can say that will illustrate why we admire Devinder Sharma better than quoting his "About Me" section on his blog:

Think two decades back, think today, and think two decades ahead. Is this the direction the world should follow? Why can't we make an effort to change the popular discourse, the mainline economic thinking that has only added to global problems? This is what made me begin on a journey in search for the abandoned path to equity, justice and sustainability. My journey begins with the fundamentals -- food, agriculture and hunger. My dream takes me to a vision beyond, in the spirit of gaia and towards a gross happiness index. I too have a dream. And I know we can together change this script. A long journey always begins with the first step. Come, join me.

Kindred spirits.

The Graythorn Group Enjoys Curious Cat

Today while doing other things (which is when most good things happen), we came across the Curious Cat Management Improvement Blog. Since today's top story was a criticism of outrageous executive pay we knew we had found a kindred spirit. Curious Cat, you make us purr.

The Graythorn Group Admires: Life is Good

Certainly you are familiar with the fun and funky designs from "Life is Good." If you don't know about the company itself, go read their story. They have parlayed their gentle enthusiasm for life into a world of good, including millions of dollars for kids facing unfair challenges.

I was on their website because after years of coveting their designs I finally bought a t-shirt today at lunch (Happy Hour). I was curious what else I might find on the web and the good news is that it's more of the same.

Congratulations to Life is Good for sticking to their dreams and making something good come of their efforts. Good on ya.

The Graythorn Group Supports Project 10 to the 100th

Project 10¹⁰⁰ is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible. - Google's Project 10 the 100th

Make sure to add your ideas to help the world.

Graythorn Vision

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today about six billion people woke up and started their day. Some are rich but most are poor. Some are educated but more are not. Some are full but more are hungry. Some believe that tomorrow will be better but many have given up hope. From a biological standpoint, the human race is thriving. On a more individual basis we are surprisingly unsuccessful at using our knowledge and technology to create an improved life.

Meanwhile we continue to raid the Earth’s bounty at an alarming rate. The rain forests are disappearing. The oceans are being emptied. Rare animals are being hunted to extinction. To the best of our knowledge this little blue spinning jewel is the only life-supporting planet in a million miles. What are we doing?

Sitting here on the leading edge of our millennium we have greater technologies than our grandparents could have dreamed about. We are poised to make significant changes in how we live our lives and affect our planet. But first we have to understand that if we keep doing what we’ve done, we’ll keep getting what we’ve got.

At this point you may be thinking, “What does the state of the world have to do with creating a business?” Well, everything. The word business dates back to the 14th century and its original meaning was “purposeful activity.” What is the purpose of your activity? The best business people realize that they are part of a community first. They realize that their profits are dependent on the health and wealth of those around them. They realize that there is a reason economics and ecology share the same root word. A business is part of a greater whole, an interactive part of the social and economic environment that it both moves and is moved by. And because it is a method of wielding great power, that power must be used carefully and gently.

Good to Great

If you aren't familiar with Jim Collin's work, check out www.jimcollins.com. His focus on ethics and purpose being the difference between good businesses and great businesses really strikes a chord with us.