When Capitalism Works

"TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about." - TOMS


Success Magazine article on TOMS Shoes
Blake Mycoskie's Blog

The Right to Love

- Ever since “And Tango Makes Three,” a children’s book detailing the story of two male penguins and the baby chick they hatched, has been published, in 2005, more people have requested the book’s removal each year from schools and libraries than any other book in the United States, according to the American Library Association [..] Now the authors of the book, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, have their own baby Tango. In February, the gay couple, who live in the West Village, had their first child. - Read full article: "A Baby for the Gay Authors Behind the Daddy Penguins" By Jennifer 8. Lee

- But if homosexuality occurs among animals, does that necessarily mean that it is natural for humans, too? And that raises a familiar question: if homosexuality is not a choice, but a result of natural forces that cannot be controlled, can it be immoral? - Read full article: "Love That Dare Not Squeak Its Name" By Dinitia Smith

- Rob Calhoun and his partner, Clay Calhoun, of Avondale Estates, Georgia, have two adopted children -- 4-year-old daughter Rainey and son, Jimmy, who is 18 months old. The children share the same biological mother.

"We're not moms, we're not heterosexual. We're not biological parents," Rob Calhoun said. But "we're totally equal and just as loving as female parents, as straight parents, and biological parents."

"Love makes a family, not biology or gender," he added. - Read full article:"Gay Adoption: A new take on the American family" By Taylor Gandossy

Another Day in Paradise

“She calls out to the man on the street
"Sir, can you help me?
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?"
He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there
Oh think twice, it's another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise...” - Another Day in Paradise (Lyrics by Phil Collins)

“When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.”

“Love begins at home , and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the action that we do.” - Mother Teresa of Calcutta


Turn around , someone may need your help. Not all of us are saints or a missionaries, ready to fly to Chad, but pay attention and you'll see someone who is down, a friend, a co-worker, a sibling. Be there for them. According to the Talmud to save one person is to save the World. A young person may need a mentor, a child may need a parent, a sick person may need comfort. Don't look the other way!

A man who turned around...

Last summer, my family and I were desperately searching for a cure for my sister Barbara. Many doors were shut on us, because of insurance reasons. My sister needed to prove that she was able to cover treatment costs, before being considered as a research patient.

Finally, Dr. Penson opened a door to hope. I spoke -- and cried my heart out -- to him on the phone. Two days later Barbara was on a flight to Boston, ready to start a treatment recommended by Dr. Penson.

The first time we met Dr. Penson was during a visit on August 2008. I was struck right away by his humanity and people-skills. He asked Barbara about her hobbies and what she enjoyed doing in life. It was only later in the discussion that he started talking about her disease and possible medical treatments. He wanted to meet Barbara as a person, first, then as a patient. We met him as a man, first, then as a doctor.

I am thankful to Dr. Penson for turning around and paying attention to someone I deeply love.

Heidi's Story

Heidi is a cancer survivor. She describes on the Livestrong blog how she won the battle with the disease and how this fight has changed her life. Read Heidi's story on Livestrong


Patrick’s beautiful life came to an end, but his courage and story will continue to live on in our memories.

Emotional Capital

How important are characteristics such as self-realization, assertiveness and people-skills in management and leadership? How important is for a manager or anyone in a leadership position to show reliance, confidence, empathy and let transpire a sense of optimism to people? As a Project Manager, I believe it is fundamental in my professional area. A highly qualified subject matter expert: Dr. Martyn Newman, wrote a terrific book on this topic: Emotional Capitalists: The New Leaders, Wiley, 2008. The book is quickly becoming a best seller.

Read:

Great post on emotional capital from the "Leading Answers" Blog

Martyn Newman’s “Emotional Capitalists: The New Leaders”:

Assess your Emotional Intelligence – free test

A World Without Poverty

Muhammad Yunus runs Bangladesh's Grameen Bank, a leading advocate for the world's poor that has lent more than $5.1 billion to 5.3 million people. The bank is built on Yunus' conviction that poor people can be both reliable borrowers and avid entrepreneurs.
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thenewheroes/meet/yunus.html


Partnership with Danone

The mission of Grameen Danone Foods speaks for itself: to reduce poverty by bringing health through food to children using a unique community-based business model. http://muhammadyunus.org/content/view/146/128/lang,ja

A joint venture launched by DANONE and Grameen (the “Bank of the poor”) in March 2006, Grameen Danone Foods is a business—and as such must turn a profit—but its priorities are reversed.

Junus Interviewed in Chile

A Wonderful Life - Michael J. Fox

By: Lisa Ocker - Success Magazine, July 2009 Issue

Michael J. Fox seems at peace, even grateful for lessons learned from Parkinson's disease. He's inspiring millions with a new book and a hit TV special. But his journey has not been easy.

Read full article (Success Magazine)

Virgin Entrepreneur - Richard Branson

By: Mary Vinnedge – Success Magazine, June 2009 Issue

The 20-something Richard Branson racked up a résumé that would impress no one: high-school dropout with poor reading and math skills. Failed get-rich-quick schemes. Long-haired, barefooted hippie. Struggling business that led to two arrests and a night in jail on suspicion of tax evasion. But as he turns 59 in July, Branson’s life seems as golden as his locks. Worth about $4.4 billion, he ranked as the 236th richest person in 2008, according to Forbes.

Read full article (Success Magazine)

Weathering the Storm

By: Bruce Grieson - Psychology Today magazine, May/June 2009 Issue

Apple founder Steve Jobs describes three apparent setbacks—dropping out of college, being fired from the company he founded, and being diagnosed with cancer—that ultimately proved portals to a better life. Each forced him to step back and gain perspective, to see the long view of his life.

"I have failed over and over and over again, and that is why I succeed," said Michael Jordan. Failure destroys some people. Others rise from the ashes, only to come back stronger.

Failure destroys some people. Others rise from the ashes, only to come back stronger. This article by Bruce Grieson is a guide to surviving tough times.

• Read full article (Psychology Today Magazine)

Race of a Lifetime - Lance Armstrong Leader of the Pack

By: Don Yaeger - Success Magazine, May 2009 Issue

Lance Armstrong was directionless, without passion. He called it a classic case of “Now what?” He had a job and a life, but then he got sick with cancer in 1996 and everything turned upside-down. When Armstrong beat cancer a year later and tried to return to his life as a successful professional cyclist, he was confused and disoriented. Nothing was the same and he couldn’t handle it.

• Read full article (Success Magazine)
• Watch the LIVESTRONG Challenge Video