Top ten steps toward becoming a localist, triple bottom line thinker
by Ajax Greene
Do you want more Localism in your life, business and community in 2014?
Great news! There are lots of ways we can have a huge impact that are
relatively easy to do and very affordable—if not free. The cumulative effects
of small changes can be awesome. An outstanding example: Independent businesses
are predicted to out-sell non-independent corporate internet businesses within five
years (that's an IBM study, no less). Your support is vital to transforming the
way the Hudson Valley does business to an economy that works for everyone
including Mother Nature. Re>Think Local is the only regional organization
advancing the cause of Localism and triple bottom line business. Below is a
road map that, if followed, will lead you to a better place without ever
leaving the Hudson Valley
Top 10 Things to do in 2014:
1. Sign up for the new GoLocal Campaign. This Re>Think Local
initiative makes it fun and satisfying to shift more of your personal and
business shopping to locally owned independent businesses.
We will show you how easy and sensible this is. What is so amazing is
that just shifting 10% of our spending to local indie businesses can create
more profit and thousands of jobs here in the Hudson Valley.
2. Relationships matter! Data proves the more connected a community is,
the more vibrant and supported the self-employed community is economically.
Attend a Re>Think Local Networking event. What you might view as casual
conversation is actually subtly building social capital that has important
impacts on the local economy. At the same time, members have repeatedly
commented on the quality of like-minded people who show up ready for deep
important conversations at our events. Be one of the cool kids; don’t be shy,
and join us.
3. Opportunity matters! Commit to one major new game-changing business
opportunity collaboration. We have been consistently saying collaboration is a
primary skill set of the new economy. In public everyone agrees, yet many of us
trip over our egos in trying to partner with others. In 2014 find for yourself
at least one game-changing opportunity to collaborate on something bigger than
you have ever done before. It’s hard work, it can be stressful, at times, but
it can be very profitable in a triple bottom line kind of way.
4. Attend a Re>Think Local triple bottom line-localism educational
event. You are an expert at your particular business, yet we can promise there
is a collective wisdom from around the country and around the world that can
help you take your expertise to a higher level. Whether you know it or not,
your customer base is getting smarter and more empowered about the importance
of socially responsible businesses. Your values can be a primary driver of your
business. Are you up to date on the latest thinking?
5. Measure what matters! Do you think you are doing pretty well
implementing your values? Great, prove it. Have your company (or LLC) take the
free B Corp survey. See how you score (confidentially) against thousands of
other companies. This is the new frontier. Customers demand good companies not
just good marketing. It's free—why not schedule the time today?
6. Place matters! Let’s keep more of our hard earned money right here in
the Hudson Valley. Sign up for the Hudson Valley Current, a Re>Think Local
sister organization offering an alternative currency. This state of the art
effort takes the form of a B2B electronic platform that allows for members from
all over the Hudson Valley to trade with each other without using up US
dollars. It's a perfect way to expand your current sales volume.
(HudsonValleyCurrent.org)
7. Opportunity matters! Ask your local government and anchor
institutions (hospitals, colleges, universities and other large nonprofit
institutions) to support a local triple bottom line (people, planet, profits)
procurement policy. These institutions are mandated to support local
communities, yet many of them are blind or ignorant of the effect their
spending has right here in the Hudson Valley. There are great examples from
around the country of anchor institutions shifting how they spend a portion of
their budget in ways that did not cost them anything extra, yet had a
huge impact on the communities they are meant to support.
8. Ownership matters! Is your money causing some of the very problems
you wish to solve? Move your money and investments to locally owned banks that
reinvest in our community.
9. Stay up to date on Localism and triple bottom line business—visit the
Re>Think Local website to get our free weekly email updates and follow us on
Facebook for amazing content on Localism and the triple bottom line. Yes, 2014
is a great time to join Re>Think Local.
10. Nature matters! We encourage you to spend time out in the amazing
nature the Hudson Valley offers. There are countless parks, bridges, rail
trails, rivers and more for you to get connected to your essence. Science shows
that time spent connecting will make you healthier, more creative, and more
prosperous. Besides it’s just plain fun.
The next step is up to you. 2014 is there for you. How will you be
different?
Posted by Chris Hewitt
on 12:39 PM.
Filed under
buy local,
Feature,
Hudson Valley Current,
Rethink Local
.
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