Provisions and Inspiration for Your Journey of Social Impact
Does the world need another newsletter? I guess we’re about to find out.
First, about the name: Godspeed - an old-fashioned term expressing good wishes to a traveler for a prosperous journey. And that's what Godspeed will strive to do: supply valuable provisions and fresh inspiration to increase your success in the quest to power social and environmental impact through business.
The regular free weekly newsletter will include news you can use, helpful tools and resources, inspirations, and oh, a little fun every now and then. The paid version will, also weekly, present articles that educate and dive deep into important issues, trends, and models for social and environmental impact. I suppose I'll also include some marketing and branding advice here and there, since that's been my stock in trade since, peering into the way-back machine here, back to the days when fax (facsimile) machines were state of the art.
Oh, and I'll also transparently chart the in's and out's of creating a newsletter business from scratch.
I've been involved in the business of social impact for 32 years and understand that our journey of building social impact businesses requires collaboration and sharing. This professional life of impact is a tougher row to hoe than that of a traditional business; our objectives are so much more expansive and this requires extra work and care. The stakeholder crops we're growing are regenerative and worth the reward of applying our talents and time to work that truly matters.
So let’s get on with it. I'm here to help. Godspeed, friends.
Russ
Cool Tools & Resources
• Conundrum. The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are one of the planet's better known frameworks for impact. And yet they really aren't broadly well known at all, especially in the U.S. These SDG flash cards from Gaia Education take us all the way back to grade school - a great tool for your team to build a better understanding of the SDGs.
• Search no longer. You really should have everyone in your company switch to the Ecosia search engine - it's simple to do and each web search generates ad revenues to plant trees in communities around the world. Plus, it's super fun and fills you with hope watching the "trees planted" counter cycle so quickly on its homepage.
• Your conversion is beginning. Ever suffer the rejection of trying to post a video on LinkedIn or other platforms when it asks for a different file format, say MP4? Cloud Converter's got you covered - a quick and easy (and free) way to convert your videos to the desired format.
From My Inbox
Well, here's one approach to email marketing...
And a witty retort from a twitter friend after I posted there...
Quick Hits
• Word up! Who says words don’t matter? Last year's climate bill (aka “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022”) had strategic language inserted that legally classifies greenhouse gasses as “pollution.” These simple word changes could make all the difference in the world for fighting carbon emissions.
• No surprise here. Research reveals that women CEOs accomplish more when tackling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Baby, it's a rocker. I know, not much of a head's up, but you REALLY should celebrate spring by joining us here in Boise for the world's first Certified B Corp music festival, Treefort Music Fest. Now in its 11th year, it gets routine raves from homies and visitors alike. March 22-26 .
Trivia Time
Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia made big news last year when his family donated 100% of the shares in the company to a trust and a nonprofit. That's a great jumping off spot to his humble dirtbag beginnings. What was the first commercial product he made and sold?
1. Synthetic pile jackets
2. Climbing pitons
3. Rugby shirts
Find the Most Meaningful Work of Your Career
Maybe it's time to clean up your career with a job in clean water? Our partner One Work has you covered with meaningful work that goes beyond a paycheck, a cubicle, or a weekly team Zoom call. Check out this week's job opportunities; they're cool and refreshing:
• SOURCE- technology that pulls water from thin air. Senior Director of Digital Marketing, Scottsdale, AZ.
• DANDELION ENERGY - geothermal heating and cooling. Operations Accounting Manager (Inventory), Remote.
• LANZA TECH - capturing and converting waste carbon emissions. Director of Total Rewards, SKOKIE, IL.
There's more! Check out One Work's full roster of purposeful jobs with mission-driven companies and organizations.
Trivia Answer
Chouinard learned how to blacksmith and hand-forge pitons for climbing, selling them first as an individual and then in partnership with Tom Frost at Chouinard Equipment. If you guessed either of the other options, you weren’t far off; Patagonia’s first clothing products were a rugby shirt (favored by climbers) and soon after its legendary synthetic pile jackets (favored by everyone).
That's it for today - have an interesting social impact tool, idea, or trivia question you'd like to share? Reply to this newsletter or hit me up at rstoddard@oliverrussell.com