Tag: best practice

Socially responsible

FabrizioLeave a comment

Many companies claim that they will be changing the World – or the way the World does this and that. Few even actually understand what changing the World means.

In Finland, a local grocery chain has declared themselves “bully-free zone” (article linked in Finnish). And it’s a fantastic win.

Not because it’s their business. Not because they make money from it. Not because they are getting free publicity.

But because it makes sense.

  • Bullying is a problem, in Finland like anywhere else.
  • Bullying happens mainly at school or around schools.
  • In Finland in particular, kids go to school and back home on their own, from as early as 7. That makes the journey home-school-home a problem for a bullied kid.
  • This grocery chain has a lot of local stores, often not far from schools.
  • Stores employ familiar adults (you shop there every day), they are open long hours, they are well lighted (Finland gets long dark days in winter), and there’s typically other people around.
  • So, they promote that every employee at their grocery chain is a safe adult for kids to turn to when bullied.

It must be one of the best executed corporate social responsibility campaigns ever.

Three levels

FabrizioLeave a comment

There’s a great level of customer service. It’s personal, human, helpful, and resourceful.

There’s a basic level of customer service. It’s quick, some times robotic, a bit repetitive, not always helpful.

And then there’s a shitty level of being human. It’s arrogant, pointless, definitive, and unaccountable.

People will only remember the first and the third. Up to you where you want to be.

Take pride in boring

FabrizioLeave a comment

Most things are boring.

Like Terms of Service.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while doing them. Or be proud of them. Or make somebody enjoy them.

The guys at Wistia know this well.

Equinox doesn’t speak January

FabrizioLeave a comment

A positioning statement is not for everybody.

It’s supposed to divide, in order to conquer. It’s supposed to draw a clear line between trite practices and a new way. It’s supposed to be met with opposition, disdain, surprise, resistance – first of all, from those who are supposed to approve and support it.

If a positioning statement does not do that, it’s not a positioning statement.

This IS a positioning statement.

Love it or hate it. That’s the whole point.

Magic

FabrizioLeave a comment

Have you ever waited for your turn to speak – and I mean truly waiting, not forming-the-next sentence-in-your-mind-while-waiting-for-the-other-to-slip waiting?

Have you ever given others the time to express themselves the way they want before correcting their annoying behaviour?

Have you ever wanted for others, sincerely, something you also wanted for yourself? Have you tried to help them achieve that rather than cutting their chances with petty complaints?

Have you ever just asked a question without immediately anticipating the answer?

If you have, you know it’s magic. And it’s just what the world needs more of.