The Days of Linear Giving Are Over

The days of “linear giving” are over — what I mean is, it’s not “I give you this, you give me that.”   That’s Linear Giving and it doesn’t always happen.

 

First, you can’t truly give with the expectation that you are going to get something in return.  It’s just not the right motivation.  And it will upset the balance of giving, turning it into something it’s not…

We need to give because we sincerely want to. Because it’s the right thing to do. It’s helpful, kind, nourishing to the world. And ultimately it does help ourselves… we feel nourished and uplifted by the mere act of being generous.

And it won’t stop there. More good will continue to come to you, in ways you never expected.  From different places, different sources, and in unique ways!  It’s truly quite exciting…to see good unfold, when we let it go.

So let’s not give and expect back. It’s not A gives to B, and B to gives to A.

It’s A gives to B.  And then A gives to C and D.  Then X, M, Q and V give back to A at different times and ways in the future.

It’s circular, spherical, timeless, unbound, everconnected giving… which is taking place, and always has been.

How Utility Companies Are Working with Supermarkets to Get You a Better Deal

What a great way to partner. Utility companies are now working with supermarkets; we can soon buy an electricity plan along with our organic lettuce, sustainably farmed fish, and fair trade coffee.

As we progress in life, it’s important to see fresh ways we can take advantage of services or partner. Deregulation brings opportunity.

The essential takeaway is that buying behavior of all kinds will be combined and strengthened. It affords us more opportunities to save time and money. Yet we also should be aware that it gives reams of information to retailers. Our lives become more efficient and intertwined, yet less private.

Check out this excerpt from the article, “Selling Electricity Over the Counter” in the Wall Street Journal. It’s interesting to see this innovation taking place in Australia, the U.K. and the United States. Tell me what you think: Would you buy a plan and gain discounts, while losing privacy?

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Wall Street Journal article:

Utilities around the globe are teaming up with retailers such as Marks & Spencer Group PLC in Britain, Coles Supermarkets in Australia and Best Buy Co. in the U.S. to sell energy and related products directly to consumers.

Retailers see a growing market in energy-conscious consumers who now shop for everything from power suppliers and energy-efficient appliances to solar panels, insulation and home-energy-management systems.

As more utilities have been forced to compete in deregulated markets, establishing alliances with retailers has helped them build customer loyalty and reduce customer churn.

Reliant has teamed up in Texas with electronics and appliance retailer Best Buy, in whose stores the utility now markets electricity plans and free home-energy monitors that help customers figure out how they can reduce their electricity consumption and save money. Similarly, Constellation, owned by Chicago-based power generator Exelon Corp., is experimenting with selling electricity plans through Best Buy stores in Illinois.

In Britain, Marks & Spencer, whose department stores feature staples from socks to scones, is selling natural gas and electricity from SSE PLC, one of the U.K.’s big six energy suppliers. Marks & Spencer also offers insulation and solar panels and provides advice on energy-efficient appliances.

In Australia, utility AGL Energy Ltd. in April linked up with Coles Supermarkets, a unit of Wesfarmers Ltd., via the Coles customer-loyalty program Flybuys. The program gives AGL residential customers rewards points for discounts on Coles purchases…Points can be used for purchases at Coles.

Which Country Wins The Day on Most Renewable Energy at 15%?

Congratulations to Germany, Iceland, New Zealand and Portugal, who lead the world in producing the most renewable energy, with more than 15% of their energy coming from renewable sources.  You are an example. I hope one day soon it’s 50%, then 100%.  Let’s think big.  For the U.S., we have a start at 2.5%, putting us at #7 among the G20 countries.

Regarding investments, South Korea had the biggest leap in investment, followed by China and Brazil. The U.S. was second in line in highest investing in renewable energy (behind China) for 2011.

The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reports that the G20 countries lead the world in utilizing renewable energy.  In 2010, these 20 countries produced more than 82% of the world’s renewable energy.  The NRDC defined it as “solar, wind, geothermal, tidal and wave electricity production.”  Wave electricity production refers to obtaining power from ocean surface waves.

It’s wonderful to ‘use the earth’ when it helps us live kindly, productively, and with intelligence.

Read the NRDC’s full report.

Photo courtesy of the NRDC.

Freedom May Come Incrementally: How UAE Helped Pioneer Philanthropy and CSR by Innovator Sheikh Zayed

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was a prominent ruler, philanthropist and promulgator of Corporate Social Responsibility, providing a great model for the Middle East.  First, he was a strategic political leader, by helping to create the United Arab Emirates, assuming its presidency, and being reelected 6 times. So he first had leadership under his belt, which then helped impact his philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility.

UAE became very prominent in philanthropy due to Sheikh Zayed’s connection between oil and philanthropic projects, which is a model for many countries all over the world.  While many countries divert oil revenues to corrupt means, Sheikh Zayed devoted much of it to strengthening the community.   He utilized oil revenues to help adopt hundreds of orphans throughout the country.  He mobilized a foundation to construct hospitals, schools and universities. These opportunities were available to all UAE citizens, and also free.  What a powerful gift to his community, constituency and country.

Beyond politics and philanthropy, he also made a solid contribution towards religion, in an age of divisiveness.   He believed his country was wedded to religion, and that the gifts provided from God should be shared, yet without fanfare to a specific individual.  So his type of giving was humble and understated.  In an age when so many seek their name on a building, Sheikh Zayed was a “quiet giver.”

This example is backed by a fundamental belief in Islamic society: Giving to the poor is requisite. Yet it also provides individual redemption: It keeps citizens pure in motive, and staves off any inclination of greed.  And the type of giving is not only a handout, but to help people live lives based on long-term sustainability, with consistent incomes.

Religion, then, plays a strong role in the motivation behind his philanthropy.  For some, this will seem an imperfect model combining religion with good works; for others it can be seen as a positive step forward in a confusing “range of Arab Springs.”

Each country is finding its own way.  It’s manifest in their voice, religion, social change, philanthropy and CSR.  Sheikh Zayed provides one example towards forward thinking, new freedoms, and advancement for society.

We should also note that Sheikh Zayed promulgated the acceptance and tolerance of other religions.  It’s a model that’s one positive step forward.   It’s something we must come to terms with many “struggling Arab Springs”: Freedom may come incrementally.  Each country is finding their own way, in their voice, religion, social change, philanthropy and CSR.  Here’s one example towards forward thinking, new freedoms, and advancement for society.

Sheikh Zayed furthered his contribution across the capital realm: He continued to innovate on the corporate front of philanthropy.  He encouraged Corporate Social Responsibility so that  it was a part of the corporate culture very early on.

Let’s see Sheik Zayed’s model as one positive example of how the Middle East’s philanthropy, values and stability can help further this new age of citizens.  Citizens such as you and me, striving to have a voice, enhanced life, and stable, kind society for all.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918 – 2004) was an important leader in the Middle East.  A member of the traditional ruling family of Abu Dhabi, he held various government positions until 1966.  At this time the previous ruler was deposed in a bloodless coup, and Sheikh Zayed assumed rulership of Abu Dhabi, with a goal to develop the country.  He was instrumental in the founding of the United Arab Emirates, and was chosen as their first president.  He was re-elected at five-year intervals for the next 30 years.  Sheikh Zayed is recognized for his comparatively liberal policies and for his charitable work, including establishing the Abu Dhabi Fund for Arab Economic Development, channeling money to forty Arab nations in need in Asia and Africa.

Social Purpose Is the New Social Status: Wear, Drive, Eat and Live Your Purpose

You are someone who is making the world a better place by changing how you live, day by day!

Enjoy your day being a great person,

Pamela

Social Purpose is the New Social Status

*   83% of respondents are willing to change consumption habits if it can help make the world a better place.

*   Twice as many people would prefer a hybrid car (67%) to a luxury car (33%). Japan and France prefer hybrids the most (89% and 84% respectively).

*   69% would rather have a brand that supports the livelihood of local producers over a luxury brand (31%).

*   70% would prefer to live in an environmentally-friendly home as opposed to 30% who would opt for merely a large house.

*   Of the people who joined a cause on a social-networking site and/or followed a cause on a micro-blogging site, 47% (88% in China) became more involved in a good cause after learning about it on a site such as Facebook or Twitter.

Source: Edelman