Worknow_Aotearoa_NZ

The Why: Time to Reflect

I found Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted talk immensely inspiring and encouraging but it leads me to wonder why did it take me so long (15yrs) to choose my passion and talent over my need for achievement?

…we make very poor use of our talents…I meet all kinds of people who don’t think they are really good at anything…who don’t enjoy what they do they, they simply go through their lives getting on with it, they get no great pleasure from what they do, they endure it rather than enjoy it… but I also meet people who LOVE what they do…it isn’t what they do, it is who they are…their most authentic self… Sir Ken Robinson”

My talents and aspirations didn’t align because I was self centered and vain. Now, I was blessed to be raised in a family that nurtured my talents, surrounded by people that assured me that I could do anything I wanted.  The education system, with which I am now thoroughly disenchanted was  – up until  I was about 15 years old  – an environment in which I thrived upon learning and the ongoing recognition of academic, sporting and cultural achievement.

Yet for a long time now I have not lived up to the potential, that others saw in me. Despite the fact that I studied, worked and strived to become a better person, I was so self centered and focused on my own goals and achievements that I could not see opportunities to do what I most aspired to – help people and effect change – passing me by.

Over the last year, working as an aspiring social entrepreneur, I’ve recognised that I had things round the wrong way.  Even as lately as January 2009, I thought that if I could make myself “a better person” then I could help others. Yet it now seems so apparent that only by  helping others first will I ever be the person I aspire to.

The How: Helping Others Employ Their Talents

Using social networking to create a community in which people can feel OK about promoting and sharing their talents

“…natural talents: human resources are like natural resources, they are often buried deep. You have to go looking for them, they’re not just lying around on the surface you have to create the circumstances where they show themselves…” Sir Ken Robinson

This is not going to be an easy cause to gather people to and therein lies the challenge: to effect the national mind set.

We kiwi’s are not known for our self promotion, why would we when tall poppy syndrome is so alive and well in this country, ready to cut back down to size those that are too confident, too successful or aspire to lofty goals. One way I have found to overcome this barrier of talking about talents and strengths is simply to ask:

• what are your interests?
• what do you like to do?
• what are you passionate about?
• what interests would you want to share with other people?

By creating a talent profile and sharing you passion, talents, interests and values with the world we can match you with opportunities to LOVE what you.

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Our Intent

–noun
1. something that is intended; purpose; design; intention
2. the act or fact of intending, as to do something
3. the state of a person’s mind that directs actions toward a specific object.
4. meaning or significance.

“We aspire to create a world class business that helps people & effects change” Co Founders May 2009.

Social Entrepreneurship

It may be the Gen Y catchphrase du jour yet it encapsulates our endeavor to combine the best of both  “non-profit” and “for profit” business models.

Rather than being opposite ends of a scale we believe there is a middle ground where the realms of “non profit” and “for profit” business combine for the greater good.

And it would seem we are far from the only people thinking like this with terms like philantrocapitalism, natural capitalism, capitalism 3.0, venture philanthropy and philanthropreneur being coined to define the synergy.

To be always learning

Yet it wasn’t inspired TED talks that led us to think this way.  We’ve studied, watched and learned. We’ve been inspired and gained insight from those that went before us.

Our entrepreneurial spirit makes us increasingly willing to take risks,  to experiment, to make mistakes and learn from them while today’s technology allows us to connect,  share and collaborate in new, more effective ways.

Our efforts to effect change, by necessity must begin small. Yet we believe this Time Trade tool, in the hands of creative, collaborative people has the potential to transform  communities and enhance the way we work together.

“…BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE…” Ghandi

Finding my place

I have aspired to building a startup company since the day I realised that I could positively help people by creating new jobs. Thank you, Arthur Jordan (FiL) for broadening my view of the world to include enterprise development and inspiring me to purse what is now a passion for new ventures

Connecting with others

Since then I have orientated towards other successful entrepreneurs and outstanding leaders who have also taught and inspired me:-

1. Uncle Eddy & Aunty Tangee
2. Diane Blackmore
3. Richard Prout

Work Together

This includes the two talented young men with whom I have the privilege of working:

* Jamie Mac Donald
* Joshua Vial

Not Y but We – Generation Change Agents

I am inspired and excited to have met many rising stars of late and I looking forward to meeting and working along side many more of you in the future.

We do not need research or statistics to know that we, the youngest generation in the workforce, are the future of new business creation in Aotearoa.

The more we work together the stronger we are. I hope to find others that share this belief and connect us so that we can help each other.

About the Author

I was blessed with a family that taught me the importance of love and faith, adventure and trust. I am eternally grateful for the people that I love. I can never thank you all enough but I love you and I trust that love is enough.

Renee Maria Lee