In Women We Trust

I Resolve -- To Keep Earth in Business*

If prior years were about green awareness, 2010 was about green market traction for companies and consumers. Next year, the market will turn full-frontal-green -- so in 2011  I resolve to buy green or buy nothing and nix the plastic packaging wherever I can. 

Because of progressive-thinking companies like Patagonia, thousands of businesses are turning into adults and taking responsibility for their eco/social-actions. Check out the video below on 1% for the Planet, it cured my cynicism.  (*BTW, whomever thought up "Keeping Earth in Business" as a tag line deserve a bonus. Love it!)

This is bigger than going green, it's about inspiring everyone around us to rethink our processes and give our lives a do-over. Need a personal mission statement, borrow Patagonia's: 

Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. 

Check out the video and see how the power of 1% for the Planet inspired Sweat Pea Bikes -- then see if you aren't like me wondering how you pull the cash together for a custom fit frame...  

(Go to Hulu.com if you want the full movie experience.)

How to write a complaint letter.

Tiz the season for things to go wrong. You can jump on one of the complaint site links on the left and vent, but before you do be prepared and professional in your communications. Below are some great tips from a site on Internet providers. 

1. Getting your complaint to the right person and for sure the correct department will hopefully hasten a response.  Typing your letter will be better than hand written, however if you are not equipped to type then make extra sure your handwritten letter is legible and free of muss.
2. Date the letter
3. Name of the Company
4. Address it as you would any letter with city, state, zip. Adding:  ATTN:  (name of person or department to whom the complaint is addressed)
5. Give the date of purchase and having a copy of the receipt and where you purchased the item is of great value, as well as the serial number and model. Be brief and to the point of what you perceive the problem to be.  Also let them know what you expect them to do about it.  It isn’t necessary to be sarcastic or rude, there may be time for that later, but to this point you have not dealt with anyone rude.  Realistically you have a malfunctioning product you want replaced, repaired or refunded.  So tell them about it.
6. Let them know how much time you will reasonably give them to handle the problem.  Include your contact information and your hours available to take their call.
7. You might want to ask if the item should be returned for exchange.
8. Make copies of all the receipts, and other pertinent information that goes with the product.
9. Don’t send your originals.  Send copies.
10. I am old fashioned enough to still sign my letters with “Sincerely Yours”, or “Yours Truly”.  It exudes professionalism on your part.  It is a tried and true closing to a business letter.

For other useful tips go here.

It's official, "Followership" is more Important than Leadership

Thanks Sande for flagging this gem that gave me pause. It notes the importance of having just one person believe in you and be willing to look like a fool for the sake of the mission...  

Halla Tomasdottier talks on feminine values and financial planning

Halla Tomasdottier quit her male dominated financial job and with Kristin Petursdottir started Andur Capital in Iceland, the country that didn't do so well in the last crash.  Not only were they successful, but their clients didn't lose everything when the market went south. The reasons she shares is perhaps why companies do better when they have more women in upper management and on their boards. 

Her talk below expands on:

• Risk Awareness
• Straight Talk
• Emotional Capital
• Profit with Principle

While she proposes that more feminine values should be used when managing others money, she also is an advocate for "embracing the beauty of balance" and creating business that is more sustainable. Translation: we need both male and female traits at the decision making tables.