Thanks to Breakfast Television Toronto for hosting Bruce bright and early this morning and talking Looptail.
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Good Things Cooking at Karma Kitchen
(video via Global Oneness Project)
Ariel Schwartz of Co.Exist reports on Karma Kitchen, a Berkley, CA based restaurant with quite literally a “pay-it-forward” business model. The success of the Berkley location has resulted in the opening of four other US locations as well as two in Japan.
From the article:
Karma Kitchen opened in 2007–and not only does it ask for donations, it also is completely volunteer-run. The model is working well so far, so well that, despite charging nothing, the company is able to donate extra money. -
Good News Auto – Paying it Forward With JumpStart Program
Linda Hoang of CTV Edmonton reports on Good News Auto, an Edmonton, AB based auto shop. Owner Chris Ferland has created a unique business model with a pay-it-forward program for its customers called JumpStart.
From the article:
“Sometimes a lot of people are just one repair away from not being able to pay their rent or mortgage, so that’s the people we’re focusing on,” Ferland said.
The JumpStart program is described as offering a boost, a helping hand, or ‘jumpstart’ to customers based on income and circumstance.
Ferland says a little more than half of his sales are through regular, competitive market business.
He then uses those profits to subsidize repairs for people identified as being in need – through the JumpStart program.
Click here to read the rest of the article on CTV News Edmonton.
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Karma in Business
I was once a skeptic of the idea of karma in business. It seemed like “paying it forward” was a buzz phrase and most businesses were just out to raise stock values and make as much money as possible.
This was before I experienced a series of life and business altering events that changed my opinion on karma in business, which I write about extensively in Looptail.
Karma and the notion of paying it forward is central to what we are doing at G Adventures. One huge step in getting to this point was creating our NGO arm, Planeterra that helps local people develop their communities, conserve their environments, and provide social solutions to local business challenges in communities that our trips and travellers visit. We’re paying it forward to communities that our business touches.
Through initiatives like our Women’s Weaving Co-op in Peru, we are now helping to solve social problems and find business solutions in local communities that our travellers visit.
In addition to helping to build these sustainable community projects, we have found a differentiator for our business through Planeterra – with the help of our travellers, we have created something that makes us stand out amongst our competitors. Please visit planeterra.org to learn more about our social enterprise at work.
In fact, the title of my book Looptail: How One Company Changed the World by Reinventing Business was originally Looptail: Why Community, Culture and Karma Matter in Business . I now believe that nothing is an accident and everything happens for a reason. It’s all part of the Looptail.
This week, on Looptail.com, we are going to highlight some interesting articles around karma and the notion of “paying it forward” in business and society. We’d love to know what you think about some of these articles so feel free to comment and have your voice heard.
Peace,
Bruce -
Countdown to launch!
We’re getting set to launch the Looptail blog on August 6th!
Along with messages from Bruce, we’ll be providing interesting articles, perspectives and information about topics and themes discussed in Looptail: How One Company Changed the World by Reinventing Business.
Look for great information on karma in business, meaningful connections, social innovation, company culture, leadership and world changing ideas delivered right to this space.
We are also going to have some great contests over the next little while, so stay tuned and get ready to join the Looptail.
Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
The Looptail Team -
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Overwhelmed with his close proximity to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, most of these pictures were taken directly from Bruce’s iPhone during His Holiness’ visit to Ottawa, Ontario Canada in 2012.
Bruce in the background of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s entourage in Ottawa, Ontario.
His Holiness makes an entrance.
His Holiness looking somewhat unimpressed with Bruce’s iPhone photography skills.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s entourage during his Ottawa trip included Bruce and Richard Gere.
This shot was taken in Portland, OR in May 2013, when Bruce presented His Holiness and his team with transcripts of Looptail.
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G Adventures Finds Its ‘Why’
Here are the game-changing travel brochure pictures that defined G Adventures as more than just a travel company selling trips.
We Love Changing People’s Lives
Lead With Service
Embrace The Bizarre
Create Happiness and Community
Do The Right Thing