We're happy to be a part of the launch of TXU Energy's Local Impact platform!
We worked with TXU Energy to build a website that evolves around engaging locals in their community and seeing the impact of their dollars. Truly, a little goes a long way.
Check out TXU Energy's Local Impact here!
Also, watch below for the feature of the program and how the platform is being utilized on Great Day Houston:
-Amy Chait
I've been really impressed with Toyota's "Ideas for Good" commercials. One in particular resonates with me -- a girl driving a Prius talks about the technology of a solar paneled ventilation system that keeps the car cool. She conversationally and almost nonchalantly tells the audience that it would be a great idea to use that very same technology for cooling Medical/Volunteer tents after natural disasters. That's it. It's a simple idea using technology that has already been invented. It morphs that very same Prius technology for a different use, a GOOD use that improves the world and makes it a better place (beyond automobile luxury).
The commercial and 'Ideas for Good' campaign really got me thinking. How many times have you had an idea that could change the world? How many of you actually turned that idea into an opportunity? Your answer probably coincides with a book I'm reading called 'What I Wish I Knew When I was Twenty' by Tina Seelig.
She focuses on entrepreneurship, at looking at problems and turning them into opportunities. From the book, and from this Toyota campaign, I've gathered that we can all change the world and make it better...and most of the time it starts with an idea. Thinking outside the box (which is exactly what Toyota challenges you to do) can add value and grow something from less to more -- much more. Sometimes the best opportunities are right there in front of us, just waiting for us to seize them. We just have to see the world as opportunity-rich and include problems as opportunities.
However, it's difficult to do this. It's not so easy to identify a problem as an opportunity and turn that opportunity into value. Fortunately, Toyota is giving you, me, us, everybody an opportunity.
So - want to take the challenge?
Submit your good idea. Remember, nothing ventured is nothing gained.
- Lizette Romero
I also love the idea of taking the MLK 25 Challenge to mark the anniversary of the King holiday. The MLK 25 Challenge encourages us to pledge to take 25 actions during 2011 to make a difference for others.
There is a service project for everybody out there. We invite you to search for an opportunity that's right for you!
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" - MLK
- Lizette Romero
Last night I wandered around Half Price Books for about two hours and came across a book, "The Meaning of Life," by David Friend and the Editors of LIFE (published back in 1991).
Who knew a $1.00 clearance book could inspire of a variety of insight. One in particular caught my attention as I currently read further into sustainability practices and corporate strategy.
Robert Longo's perspective on the meaning of life and chance to save the planet illustrates the power of creative writing -- where the resonance of words can pause readers to reflect and apply the perspective in their own lenses.
No green-washing propaganda here, just a good dosage of creativity.
Enjoy:
"You're walking through the forest. There's trees falling down, animal carcasses. Then there's this rusty coke can. You can barely notice it. Now, is the Coke can nature-- or culture? Part of the underlying 'why' for our being here comes down to figuring out: What's the deal with this can in the woods? Mankind has some kind of preverse cultural addiction to negating natural processes with our own creations-- buildings and computers and bombs. But we've forgotten why we began building them in the first place. We're like the character Arnold Schwarzenegger played in the movie The Terminator: a really efficient machine whose motives got lost somewhere. Our purpose is to get back to the reasons behind our creating-- the middle ground where the medium and the message are one-- back to the human values, the responsibilites to our fellow beings, that first prompted us, passionately, to build these replacement mechanisms. Once we do that we'll have a chance to save the planet so other cats can grow up and dig the forest."
- Amy Chait
What are successful programs we are seeing in employee engagement programs for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
Those who utilize incentives in creative manners that extend beyond traditional programs and introduce performance recognition. Moreover, technology allows companies to harness the power of many stories that take place daily to motivate and inspire others.
Acknowledging this trend, we've worked with our clients to introduce a cause card feature into our CSRconnect solution that recognizes employees for their volunteer efforts (commonly known as dollars-for-doers).
To setup a cause card campaign the administrators simply:
From there the campaign can be managed with a status review of the electronic cards distributed right through the employees profile.
We're all about bringing greater efficiencies and effectiveness to our clients' programs-- so we're excited to empower them with another tool to reward and recognize their do-gooders all within their exclusive communities.
Want to learn more about CSRconnect? Feel free to visit here!
- Amy Chait
