Leading by Example and Small Business Success and Community Engagement

Jeff Wasden  

 

Jeff Wasden, owner of PROformance Appeal took a failing company and turned it around to being awarded Business of the Year and Best of the Best. Wasden points out during difficult economic times businesses pull back on promotional items and professional memberships which handicap businesses. People do business with people―that is what draws business in.  Industry and community partnerships have businesses value―it can be everything to a business.  Equally as important is building a culture of involvement. Wasden noted, evaluate where you want to go, what your passion is, and join business chambers to establish yourself and not just to grow your business.  Growing your business is something that follows.  Establishing business relationships and giving back are at the forefront.

By following his interest in politics Wasden (chair of Business Leaders for Responsible Government and the Legislative Action Committee) within the South Metro Denver Chamber organized the Elevate Colorado 2010 Governors Forum, an event for business and community leaders surrounding the gubernatorial conversation featuring former Governors Bill Owens, Richard Lamm, Mayor John Hickenlooper, Dan Maes and Tom Tancredo.  Wasden commented that it was an event not to steer people a specific way but to inspire people to stand-up and do something.

www.proformanceapparel.com and www.bestchamber.com

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

“Every Conversation Is an Opportunity for Success”

  Debra Fine

 

 

Rotary is an international service organization with thousands of members.  One of those members is best-selling author and communication expert Debra Fine.  “The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills -- and Leave a Positive Impression!” has been featured on the Today Show, the Early Show, NPR, CNN, Fox Business News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Men’s Health Magazine.  Fine mentioned that small talk develops interconnected relationships and in essence is a necessity in growing any relationship; personal or business.

Fine is president of the Rotary Club Denver Southeast.  She knows "a desk is

Cover of

dangerous places to view the world," John Le Carre.  And as such Rotary’s current project is Race Across Africa a “virtual” race up the Nile River raising money for water projects in Africa; www.raceacross.org.  Rotary’s mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Rotary’s members comprise of like-minded people who follow The Four-Way Test;

  1. Is it the truth?
  2. Is it fair to all concerned?
  3. Will it build good will and better friendships?
  4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

These questions can be asked to ensure ethical projects are being accomplished.

Rotary International emblem

Enhanced by Zemanta

THE PARADIGM PROJECT― Sustainable Development and L3C Social Enterprise

Wood Walk  

A group of talented, passionate people who want to use “Paradigm” as a vehicle for connecting commercial markets in Europe and America with developing world communities in such a way that makes drastic impact on people and the environment in a sustainable way.

The Paradigm Project’s Greg Spencer has a passion for Africa and leveraging the valuable carbon market to nonprofits and communities.  “Commercial business concepts applied to nonprofits are key to successful development work,” according to Spencer.  Carbon offset projects are typically planting trees, water efficiency based, and prevention of overharvesting and deforestation whereas cook stoves increase social benefits by enabling financial redistribution, time, and increase health creating a more sustainable lifestyle.

THE NUMBERS­―

28,973 stoves sold 52,000 trees saved 14,000 tons of carbon avoided 1 million+ hours of time saved

THE COLLABORATORS―

Collaboration between investors, donors and communities such as the Clinton Global Initiative, Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves, World Vision, Food for the Hungry, and Compassion International brings these stoves to communities for $40.00 per stove.  These stoves release 60% less toxins and 50% less wood is needed equaling cleaner combustion and fuel efficiency.

For more information, visit: www.theparadigmproject.org or to read the article featured in ICOSA Magazine, visit: www.theicosamagazine.com/a-burning-desire-to-change

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

The U.S. Department of Commerce and Frederick Exports

Martha Butwin and Zach Frederick  

Martha Butwin, Senior International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Denver Export Assistance Center facilitates exporting goods and services for a variety of companies.  The Gold Key Service program (starting at $700) serves as a starting point for companies working towards exporting.  The International Partner Search (starting at $550) pairs companies who are potential partners.  Each program starts with questioners to determine a match.  An international company profile is prepared to reduce the amount of scammers.

Butwin recalls the high point in her career as working with partners, Project C.U.R.E. and CAP World Wide to provide not only medical supplies but life supplies to Afghanistan people.  To view the video “From Colorado to Kabul”, visit: www.theicosamagazine.com/videos

For more information, visit: www.export.gov

Zach Frederick, founder of Frederick Export, an export management company attributes five practices for sustainable success: 1. Management must buy into exporting, 2. Global pricing parody, 3. Knowing industry contacts, and 4. register your trademarks in every country you export to is vital, (as company control can be lost to a distributor), 5. Qualify the leads.

For more information, visit: www.frederickexport.com

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta