Category Archives: New Corporate Culture

An Entrepreneur of Courage – Why We Love Liz Strauss

Liz Strauss has had the courage to voice who she is in a whisper heard round the world.

The foremost businesswoman on Twitter, she has refused to accept business as usual.

Like thought leaders before us, in the privacy of her own observations she has understood the contributions of individuals, small companies and corporations and guided them into a new direction of love, purpose and humanization.

She has  played a roll in synergizing a virtual community with concrete and evolving business principles stating,  “Build the barn, not the Colosseum.” And these “barns” have been built in cities and towns around the country, giving fuel and voice to small companies, entrepreneurs, start-ups and non-profits that my have otherwise questioned their own value or waffled under the weight of fear and self-doubt.

Each “barn” has been built one individual and one company at a time. But the cumulative effect has meant 81,500 Twitter followers resonating with and contributing to her whisper while furthering their own missions of  hope and good business.

Liz  has shaped a new community, one that I am proud to enter.  It is a difficult conversation because it demands an open heart, honest curiosity and transparency.

In a world that can harden us through atrocity, uncertainty or despair,  staying open and sensitive is not an easy task.

According to Rollo May citing Albert Camus from “The Artist At Work”, Camus tells the tale of a painter whose last work has one small word in the middle of his final canvas. It is either solidarity or solitary – the word is indistinguishable.

And this is why Liz’s work is so important.  In solitary and solidarity she has  shifted the future while giving the rest of flash lights to not only see ahead but to see each other.

Please join us this evening to hear Liz speak on how to magnetize opportunity for your company.

For more information or to purchase your ticket: http://tinyurl.com/3qtcljv

 

 

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Endorsing Entrepreneurs & Small Biz Puts Your Rep on The Line

When Big Ooga opened for business its guiding principle was to bring really good entrepreneurs and small business owners together across industry and specialty.

I’m sure you know from experience that working with new people is risky. If you’ve hired someone to provide a service, they have to meet your standards and expectations. If you’ve partnered with a professional to work on behalf of your company, they have to work at the level of quality and care that you do. It’s your rep on the line.

The commitment to finding excellent entrepreneurs and small companies takes time and discretion. This is where I choose to spend my own time because I want Big Ooga to be that kind of group.

When we consider a company for membership I speak with the business owner, review their work, talk to their references and get to know them as people and professionals. Often I work with them to find out more, so I can get inside of their process.

Then I make referrals or host their classes, knowing I can proudly put the Big Ooga name behind them.

Call me crazy but I only want to work with people who have my back and my future, people I would invite to dinner or into a project.

Call me idealistic to only want to surround myself with people who care about others’ achievements.

Now call me realistic – because that is exactly the kind of group we’ve built together.

To call ourselves a network is an injustice. But Big Honking Consortium of Mutual Respect Designed to Drive Business To Your Business is just a little crass and long-winded.

Luckily we have some pretty fantastic marketers and branders in the group – and as we move into the future you will most certainly see the right words come onto the page.

Until then, I hope you can feel the love and find your people.

A New Business Model Is Born! Today is the Day!

Call it a Village Industry, the galvanizing of an entrepreneurial community and the leveraging of our strengths, individually and in concert. My deepest gratitude goes out to Dr. Ray Benedetto, Kevin Gross, Gaye van den Hombergh, Rebecca Berneck and Craig Hickman for their strategy, vision, development and brilliance. To Ina’s Restaurant – and Ina, the Breakfast Queen. – to Apogee Strategies, Sam Tanios, Rich Rosenbaum, Loretta Caravette, Red Street Studio, Kate Marengo, Jan Wencel, Marcia Sutter, Nick Kalm, Jane Devron, Nancy Johnston, Melissa Brown, Elene Cafasso and Susan Fignar – To the Table Masters, friends, Oogans and colleagues, to the hard working entrepreneurs and their inspiration and dedication. To Maui Wowi, Jean, Beth, Carol, Mary, Bob and Mark who continue to lift the bar. To Barry Moltz, Eric, Dante and Wally and finally to my cousin Wesley.

Today we begin the next chapter in what is possible for a new American entrepreneurial engine. 

Today we plant the flag!

For more info about the event tonight.  http://www.bigooga.com/community.html 

How The Facts Are Shaping Reality – Damn it!

American cultural icons, apple pie, baseball, ...Image via Wikipedia

There is a new wave of entrepreneurs coming into the market – but the market is not robust enough to support them.

They need entrepreneurial skills but they have corporate backgrounds.

They have gone from the company of companies to solo-preneurs

There has been mass construction yet there is mass homelessness.

People need to come out of retirement – but there is no where for them to go.

There are more marketing platforms than ever before.

There is a larger market on a global scale.

There are one income households, two income households and no income households.

We are all seeking security, comfort and assurance.

We are Americans who started from scratch.

The bulk of American wealth is self-made.

If we did it once, we can do it again.

We have the freedom to invent.

The courage  to create.

The liberty to implement.

And a society that hopes we succeed.

What else do you see?

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Business from the Heart – How Great Companies Are Built – part 1

lol on a candy heartImage via Wikipedia

When you look at the media empire of Oprah, like her or not, the leadership of Obama, the purpose of Kashi, the popularity Yoga & why charity is prized – it’s all about leading with your heart.

Companies that are built on purpose began with ideas generated from love, concern and innovation.   Having just finished the amazing little book, The Go-Giver, I am struck by how the universe does indeed reward grace.  Love and generosity can drive profits, because everyone from the company to the consumers do profit.

The examples are many. There are companies built on humane treatment of animals, the desire to educate children, making aging easier for our parents, giving careers new direction or relationships a chance.

If you are in transition and thinking about becoming an entrepreneur but don’t know what to do, look inside your heart, into what you care about and where you can make a difference.  This whisper might be your first guiding direction on what company to build.  Tell us about your heart and how it has influenced what you are doing now.  Share ideas you are considering and allow us to generously comment.

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