SlideShare una empresa de Scribd logo
1 de 25
one person
can make a difference

Richard Brubaker
July 2012
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
one person
cannot
make a difference
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
Hospital Visit   Elderly Visit       Parent                           Painting
                                                  Elderly Tours
                                     Meeting




   Piano          Sports Clubs      Sunshine
  Program                            Home            Sports Day       Library
                                                                      Building




   Science                                        Photography Club   Mentoring
                 Urban Gardening   Performances
    Class
Students




Individuals




Corporate
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
COMMUNITY
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
IMPACT
TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step
A single step

By a Single Person

Más contenido relacionado

Destacado

Difference between a public and a private company under Companies Act, 2013
Difference between a public and a private company under Companies Act, 2013Difference between a public and a private company under Companies Act, 2013
Difference between a public and a private company under Companies Act, 2013CA Sachin D Jain
 
Formation of companies
Formation of companiesFormation of companies
Formation of companiesNitin Patil
 
One person company
One person companyOne person company
One person companyTaxmantra
 
One person company (OPC) as per Companies Act, 2013
One person company (OPC) as per Companies Act, 2013One person company (OPC) as per Companies Act, 2013
One person company (OPC) as per Companies Act, 2013Jayesh Ahuja
 
Single Member Company allied logistics
Single Member Company allied logisticsSingle Member Company allied logistics
Single Member Company allied logisticsMohsinMBA4B
 
Secretarial Audit under Companies Act 2013
Secretarial Audit under Companies Act 2013Secretarial Audit under Companies Act 2013
Secretarial Audit under Companies Act 2013mystartupvakil.com
 
Private limited companies
Private limited companiesPrivate limited companies
Private limited companiesRoneet Kumar
 
ONE PERSON COMPANY COMPANIES ACT 2013
ONE PERSON COMPANY COMPANIES ACT 2013ONE PERSON COMPANY COMPANIES ACT 2013
ONE PERSON COMPANY COMPANIES ACT 2013Proglobalcorp India
 
Incorporation of One Person Company under Companies Act 2013
Incorporation of One Person Company under Companies Act 2013Incorporation of One Person Company under Companies Act 2013
Incorporation of One Person Company under Companies Act 2013Megha Aggarwal
 
Single person pose recognition and tracking
Single person pose recognition and trackingSingle person pose recognition and tracking
Single person pose recognition and trackingJavier_Barbadillo
 
Convert private company into a public company
Convert private company into a public companyConvert private company into a public company
Convert private company into a public companySolubilis
 
kinds of compay under Companies Ordinance, XLVII of 1984 by waqas balouch
kinds of compay under Companies Ordinance, XLVII of 1984 by waqas balouchkinds of compay under Companies Ordinance, XLVII of 1984 by waqas balouch
kinds of compay under Companies Ordinance, XLVII of 1984 by waqas balouchWaqas A.K Balouch
 
Economic cooperation organization (eco) – member nations
Economic cooperation organization (eco) – member nationsEconomic cooperation organization (eco) – member nations
Economic cooperation organization (eco) – member nationshindujudaic
 
Comparing Private Limited Company and Public Limited Company
Comparing Private Limited Company and Public Limited CompanyComparing Private Limited Company and Public Limited Company
Comparing Private Limited Company and Public Limited CompanyKrishna Khataniar
 
Types of Companies under Companies Ordinance 1984
Types of Companies under Companies Ordinance 1984Types of Companies under Companies Ordinance 1984
Types of Companies under Companies Ordinance 1984Saad Mazhar
 

Destacado (20)

Difference between a public and a private company under Companies Act, 2013
Difference between a public and a private company under Companies Act, 2013Difference between a public and a private company under Companies Act, 2013
Difference between a public and a private company under Companies Act, 2013
 
Formation of companies
Formation of companiesFormation of companies
Formation of companies
 
One person company
One person company One person company
One person company
 
One person company
One person companyOne person company
One person company
 
One person company (OPC) as per Companies Act, 2013
One person company (OPC) as per Companies Act, 2013One person company (OPC) as per Companies Act, 2013
One person company (OPC) as per Companies Act, 2013
 
Single Member Company allied logistics
Single Member Company allied logisticsSingle Member Company allied logistics
Single Member Company allied logistics
 
Secretarial Audit under Companies Act 2013
Secretarial Audit under Companies Act 2013Secretarial Audit under Companies Act 2013
Secretarial Audit under Companies Act 2013
 
Private limited companies
Private limited companiesPrivate limited companies
Private limited companies
 
ONE PERSON COMPANY COMPANIES ACT 2013
ONE PERSON COMPANY COMPANIES ACT 2013ONE PERSON COMPANY COMPANIES ACT 2013
ONE PERSON COMPANY COMPANIES ACT 2013
 
Incorporation of One Person Company under Companies Act 2013
Incorporation of One Person Company under Companies Act 2013Incorporation of One Person Company under Companies Act 2013
Incorporation of One Person Company under Companies Act 2013
 
Single person pose recognition and tracking
Single person pose recognition and trackingSingle person pose recognition and tracking
Single person pose recognition and tracking
 
Convert private company into a public company
Convert private company into a public companyConvert private company into a public company
Convert private company into a public company
 
kinds of compay under Companies Ordinance, XLVII of 1984 by waqas balouch
kinds of compay under Companies Ordinance, XLVII of 1984 by waqas balouchkinds of compay under Companies Ordinance, XLVII of 1984 by waqas balouch
kinds of compay under Companies Ordinance, XLVII of 1984 by waqas balouch
 
Economic cooperation organization (eco) – member nations
Economic cooperation organization (eco) – member nationsEconomic cooperation organization (eco) – member nations
Economic cooperation organization (eco) – member nations
 
Taxation Reforms in Pakistan
Taxation Reforms in PakistanTaxation Reforms in Pakistan
Taxation Reforms in Pakistan
 
Eco Ppt
Eco PptEco Ppt
Eco Ppt
 
Company law
Company lawCompany law
Company law
 
Comparing Private Limited Company and Public Limited Company
Comparing Private Limited Company and Public Limited CompanyComparing Private Limited Company and Public Limited Company
Comparing Private Limited Company and Public Limited Company
 
SECP Law presentation
SECP Law presentationSECP Law presentation
SECP Law presentation
 
Types of Companies under Companies Ordinance 1984
Types of Companies under Companies Ordinance 1984Types of Companies under Companies Ordinance 1984
Types of Companies under Companies Ordinance 1984
 

Más de Collective Responsibility

Teaching Sustainability and Social Innovation in China
Teaching Sustainability and Social Innovation in ChinaTeaching Sustainability and Social Innovation in China
Teaching Sustainability and Social Innovation in ChinaCollective Responsibility
 
Five CSR Programmes that Every Company Must Have
Five CSR Programmes that Every Company Must HaveFive CSR Programmes that Every Company Must Have
Five CSR Programmes that Every Company Must HaveCollective Responsibility
 
Sustainability and Recalibrating the Supply Chain
Sustainability and Recalibrating the Supply ChainSustainability and Recalibrating the Supply Chain
Sustainability and Recalibrating the Supply ChainCollective Responsibility
 
Social Innovation as a Sustainable Business Model
Social Innovation as a Sustainable Business ModelSocial Innovation as a Sustainable Business Model
Social Innovation as a Sustainable Business ModelCollective Responsibility
 
Elderly in China - A Growing Problem and Opportunity
Elderly in China - A Growing Problem and OpportunityElderly in China - A Growing Problem and Opportunity
Elderly in China - A Growing Problem and OpportunityCollective Responsibility
 
Business Response to CSR/ Sustainability in China
Business Response to CSR/ Sustainability in ChinaBusiness Response to CSR/ Sustainability in China
Business Response to CSR/ Sustainability in ChinaCollective Responsibility
 
Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustaina...
Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustaina...Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustaina...
Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustaina...Collective Responsibility
 

Más de Collective Responsibility (20)

Social Innovation for Business
Social Innovation for BusinessSocial Innovation for Business
Social Innovation for Business
 
Food Sustainability in China
Food Sustainability in ChinaFood Sustainability in China
Food Sustainability in China
 
Natural Communities And Sustainability
Natural Communities And SustainabilityNatural Communities And Sustainability
Natural Communities And Sustainability
 
Teaching Sustainability and Social Innovation in China
Teaching Sustainability and Social Innovation in ChinaTeaching Sustainability and Social Innovation in China
Teaching Sustainability and Social Innovation in China
 
Five CSR Programmes that Every Company Must Have
Five CSR Programmes that Every Company Must HaveFive CSR Programmes that Every Company Must Have
Five CSR Programmes that Every Company Must Have
 
Recalibrating Business As Usual
Recalibrating Business As UsualRecalibrating Business As Usual
Recalibrating Business As Usual
 
Sustainability and Recalibrating the Supply Chain
Sustainability and Recalibrating the Supply ChainSustainability and Recalibrating the Supply Chain
Sustainability and Recalibrating the Supply Chain
 
Social Innovation as a Sustainable Business Model
Social Innovation as a Sustainable Business ModelSocial Innovation as a Sustainable Business Model
Social Innovation as a Sustainable Business Model
 
Beyond Business as Usual
Beyond Business as UsualBeyond Business as Usual
Beyond Business as Usual
 
LOHAS 2012 in China
LOHAS 2012 in ChinaLOHAS 2012 in China
LOHAS 2012 in China
 
Technology and Social Entrepreneurship
Technology and Social EntrepreneurshipTechnology and Social Entrepreneurship
Technology and Social Entrepreneurship
 
Corporate Volunteering in China
Corporate Volunteering in ChinaCorporate Volunteering in China
Corporate Volunteering in China
 
Elderly in China - A Growing Problem and Opportunity
Elderly in China - A Growing Problem and OpportunityElderly in China - A Growing Problem and Opportunity
Elderly in China - A Growing Problem and Opportunity
 
LOHAS and Green Consumers in China
LOHAS and Green Consumers in ChinaLOHAS and Green Consumers in China
LOHAS and Green Consumers in China
 
Business Response to CSR/ Sustainability in China
Business Response to CSR/ Sustainability in ChinaBusiness Response to CSR/ Sustainability in China
Business Response to CSR/ Sustainability in China
 
One Person Can Take One Step
One Person Can Take One StepOne Person Can Take One Step
One Person Can Take One Step
 
CSR In China: An Overview
CSR In China: An OverviewCSR In China: An Overview
CSR In China: An Overview
 
Retooled leaders for sustainable times
Retooled leaders for sustainable timesRetooled leaders for sustainable times
Retooled leaders for sustainable times
 
Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustaina...
Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustaina...Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustaina...
Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustaina...
 
Developing NGO Partnerships in China
Developing NGO Partnerships in ChinaDeveloping NGO Partnerships in China
Developing NGO Partnerships in China
 

Último

UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISINGUNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISINGlokeshwarmaha
 
Ethical stalking by Mark Williams. UpliftLive 2024
Ethical stalking by Mark Williams. UpliftLive 2024Ethical stalking by Mark Williams. UpliftLive 2024
Ethical stalking by Mark Williams. UpliftLive 2024Winbusinessin
 
Live-Streaming in the Music Industry Webinar
Live-Streaming in the Music Industry WebinarLive-Streaming in the Music Industry Webinar
Live-Streaming in the Music Industry WebinarNathanielSchmuck
 
Project Brief & Information Architecture Report
Project Brief & Information Architecture ReportProject Brief & Information Architecture Report
Project Brief & Information Architecture Reportamberjiles31
 
NewBase 25 March 2024 Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...
NewBase  25 March  2024  Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...NewBase  25 March  2024  Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...
NewBase 25 March 2024 Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...Khaled Al Awadi
 
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking Applications
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking ApplicationsUpgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking Applications
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking ApplicationsIntellect Design Arena Ltd
 
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...IMARC Group
 
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdf
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdfGraham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdf
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdfAnhNguyen97152
 
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizations
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizationsEntrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizations
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizationsP&CO
 
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agency
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agencyAnyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agency
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agencyHanna Klim
 
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003believeminhh
 
MoneyBridge Pitch Deck - Investor Presentation
MoneyBridge Pitch Deck - Investor PresentationMoneyBridge Pitch Deck - Investor Presentation
MoneyBridge Pitch Deck - Investor Presentationbaron83
 
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..dlewis191
 
Plano de marketing- inglês em formato ppt
Plano de marketing- inglês  em formato pptPlano de marketing- inglês  em formato ppt
Plano de marketing- inglês em formato pptElizangelaSoaresdaCo
 
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access
 
Tata Kelola Bisnis perushaan yang bergerak
Tata Kelola Bisnis perushaan yang bergerakTata Kelola Bisnis perushaan yang bergerak
Tata Kelola Bisnis perushaan yang bergerakEditores1
 
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...AustraliaChapterIIBA
 
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access
 
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access
 

Último (20)

UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISINGUNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
 
Ethical stalking by Mark Williams. UpliftLive 2024
Ethical stalking by Mark Williams. UpliftLive 2024Ethical stalking by Mark Williams. UpliftLive 2024
Ethical stalking by Mark Williams. UpliftLive 2024
 
Live-Streaming in the Music Industry Webinar
Live-Streaming in the Music Industry WebinarLive-Streaming in the Music Industry Webinar
Live-Streaming in the Music Industry Webinar
 
Project Brief & Information Architecture Report
Project Brief & Information Architecture ReportProject Brief & Information Architecture Report
Project Brief & Information Architecture Report
 
NewBase 25 March 2024 Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...
NewBase  25 March  2024  Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...NewBase  25 March  2024  Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...
NewBase 25 March 2024 Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...
 
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking Applications
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking ApplicationsUpgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking Applications
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking Applications
 
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...
 
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdf
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdfGraham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdf
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdf
 
Investment Opportunity for Thailand's Automotive & EV Industries
Investment Opportunity for Thailand's Automotive & EV IndustriesInvestment Opportunity for Thailand's Automotive & EV Industries
Investment Opportunity for Thailand's Automotive & EV Industries
 
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizations
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizationsEntrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizations
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizations
 
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agency
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agencyAnyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agency
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agency
 
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003
 
MoneyBridge Pitch Deck - Investor Presentation
MoneyBridge Pitch Deck - Investor PresentationMoneyBridge Pitch Deck - Investor Presentation
MoneyBridge Pitch Deck - Investor Presentation
 
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..
 
Plano de marketing- inglês em formato ppt
Plano de marketing- inglês  em formato pptPlano de marketing- inglês  em formato ppt
Plano de marketing- inglês em formato ppt
 
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024
 
Tata Kelola Bisnis perushaan yang bergerak
Tata Kelola Bisnis perushaan yang bergerakTata Kelola Bisnis perushaan yang bergerak
Tata Kelola Bisnis perushaan yang bergerak
 
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...
 
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024
 
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global B2B Panel book-unlock 2024
 

TEDx Presentation - A Single Person Can Take a Single Step

Notas del editor

  1. Good Evening everyone. How is everyone feeling? Inspired? Ready to change the world? Well, it is a real honor to be here tonight. Particularly as the last speaker, because by now you should be inspired. You should be feeling a bit like super man or wonder woman ready to change the world. You have seen the amazing work of others, and are already thinking about issues that you have a personal interest in and are wondering what it would take for you to take the same step as those who have preceded me. A fire should be brewing inside of you
  2. A fire that is fueled by a problem that has been nagging away at you for a while, and is now smoldering as you comtemplate taking action. The problem though, is that the minute you leave ths auditorium, the majority of yo uwill see that fire begin to extinguish itself. The buzzz will wear off, and your “normal” life will go on. A normal life where a couple of dollars can’t really help, where ,shutting off a light aswitch won’t cave the polar bears, and telling your boss that shark fin soup isn’t acceptable isn’t worth the risk. Because as your brain looks to find a way to take your inspiration and move it to action, your instinct to question yourselves and your abilities, will take over and all you can see is a see a stop sign A stop sing that says STOP
  3. One person can’t make a difference. It’s a stop sign that tells you that you shouldn’t, you couldn’t, and even if you did it wouldn’t make a difference. One person couldn’t possibly make a difference. The problems are too big. The dynamics too complex.
  4. So, you pass. You convince yourself that whatever idea you had is unlikely to succeed, or have any impact at all. It is a head game that I know you all know well. Which is why it is my honor to be standing in front of you. Because there was a time where I was once apathetic. Where I once turned away from action. Because I thought anything I did would simply skip off the surface. Until I took my first step.
  5. A step where I forced myself to overcome the reasons why I couldn’t or shouldn’t, and I saw the power of individuals to make a difference. It was a step that changed the path I was on to one where I am now entirely focused on helping others take their first steps.
  6. But then I arrived in Shanghai. A place that was, and still is, abuzz 24/7. It was the place to be, where everyone was looking for an angle into the China miracle. It was a time I was supposed to be focused on building experience, amassing wealth, and preparing myself for marriage by saving up for an apartment. It was time where I was working 60 -80 hours in the office, networking 2-3 days a week at lunch events, and then spending my free time blowing off steam in the pub with my friends.
  7. During this time, I was traveling throughout China. Bearing witness to the dynamic changes that were taking place across the country. Cities that were once populations of 1-3 million in size, were growing to 5 million, 10 million, and building for a lot more as china’s economic growth continued.. and I was building my China dream. To make a name for myself as someone who knew (and had access to) China. Things were going well. I had a team. I had clients. I was 30 years old and being interviewed by CNBC
  8. But I was looking for something more. A way to give back. A way to engage the local community. Volunteering had been a part of my life since I was in high school, and it was something that I found really difficult to do in Shanghai as no infrastructur existed to support community based volunteering. Sure, I could help organize a Gala dinner, or donate some money to a scholarship program, but I was looking to personally engage myself. Like I had when I lived in other cities.
  9. So without much thought, and without a real plan, I set up a website with the help of a few friends, and got started. It is a simple platform. A platform based off the U.S. HandsOn Network model, an organization that I had volunteered with in the US. one that partners students, corporates, and individual volunteers with local non-profit groups in need through a calendar based website. and have a team of volunteer managers who ensure that the experience is one full of impact for the volunteer, and more importantly the beneficiary Now, bear in mind that at the time there were very few foreigners engaged in similar activities at the time, and a culture of volunteering didn’t really exist in China. For the Chinese, at the time, volunteering was highly organized large groups with tshirt and hats that would be “engaged” for a day, or was of the retired person working for free variety. Which didn’t suit my interests, or my time availability, nor would it have for the large group of young professionals who were interested in volunteering Which presented a problem as most of the organizations we spoke with were skeptical. Didn’t understand why anyone would be interested in volunteering, and didn’t see how volunteers could help them solve problems. Even for them, one person could make a difference
  10. centered around, the actions of the individual to engage themselves at a time that is convenient for them and in an issue that they are concerned with. The platform does not force commitment, nor does it push volunteers into programs that are of no tangible interest to them. IT is a platform focused on the volunteer experience so that volunteers maintain their commitment over a longer term. Allowing the organization to maintain its commitment to its partners and over the last 8 years we have gone from a small group of friends painting walls in schools, to a platform where more than 7500 individual volunteers actively engage each year in their local community.
  11. And over time, particularly because we realized our partners needed more support, and because many of our individual volutneers were students and office workers, we began a process of developing student and corporate volutneer teams as well. Teams that, not unlike our average volunteer, have been looking for ways to give back to their community but had different time constraints and were more willing to settle into a single program. The volunteer side of our platform was scaling fast
  12. Which has over time allowed HandsOn to grow in scale. From 1 partner to 50, from 1 project a week to nearly 75 weekly projects that engage more than 400 volunteers. And where we were once simply painting schools and assisting children rehabilitate, now our volunteers are teaching math, English, and science to students, bringing activities and joy to the elderly, are ensuring that the play rooms of children’ hospitals are open and those recovering from illenss get a bit of a break to play and feel like children again.
  13. Which, when brought together, looks like this.
  14. A platform that was designed to be scalable across cities, and within Greater China has full offices in Shanghai, Chengdu, and Hong Kong, and project site in more than 10 other cities. Each similar by design, in that they engage local volunteers, but each with their own local flavor as program partners are brought online based on the local needs to the community.
  15. Which is ultimately what this platform is about. Community. Building bridges so that individuals can give back to their community, step by step, and rebuild some of the fissures that have come with dynamic growth over the last 15 years as more than 400m ppl have moved to China’s cities. While at the same time expanding the mindset of the volunteer to have a deeper understanding of community, and their role in it. These are people who were once apathitic, but now through volunteetring are able to see how individual action could make a difference. Even if that differnece was a small one.
  16. And with that. Honestly speaking, I could have said to myself that I had done my part. I had built, managed, or incubated four affiliates across Greater China, engaged more than 20,000 volunteers who donated countless hours of their time for the community. Had I wanted to I could have wrapped a bow around it, updated my LinkedIn profile, and proably won an award or two for my “innovative” efforts to match community need with volunteer capacity.
  17. instead what I found was that the more time I spent with HandsOn and the more time I spent traveling for work, the more I began to understand the fact that my work had just begun. I was seeing where the gaps between China’s rapid economic transformation was beginning to take its toll in other areas, areas that were once far outside of my professional scope, but concerning none the less as I began to question the sustainability of China’s model.
  18. It wasn’t that I was concerned about the polar bears, or saw a link to the wider discussion on climate change. In fact, Al gore and polar bears for me were too intangible or emotinoal for me that didn’t offer a place for me to take my first step. I just saw a system that was barely able to feed itself, keep the lights on, or manage its waste. The movement of people and raw materials, the issues of water, the failures of supply chains. The speed of the economy were creating problems that were growing larger and more tangible by the day. At some point a larger failure was going to occur. A failure that would have a far wider impact than just China There was more for me to do. There were more steps for me to take.
  19. The process is a path that I have set out as I myself have over time been flummoxed about the best path to take when tacking some of the most difficult/ largest issues that we as mankind face. Environmental destruction. Social degradation. Economic implosions. There is no silver bullet, or single platform, that I have seen that would fix any of these problems separately… much less when trapped onto a single eco system. For me it is a puzzle, with many pieces. Which has led to a process whereby I am constantly looking for next step, big or small. Incremental and disruptive. Which creates cycles of studying the terrain, aligning interests, and doing my best to move forward towards a single goal. Buiolding platforms, capacity, and developing a legacy that ultimately will have an impact on the world has become my sole focus. A focus that I have only grown more passionate about over time
  20. It lead me to Shut down my “traditional” consulting practice, and recalibrate everything I was doing so that I could better understand the problems that China face, and proactively help others take steps forward to solve some very difficult problems. I hired a new staff, built a new website, rebuilt my client portfolio. None of which was very easy, because I was once again taking a first step. It was a far more difficult step, because to have an real impact, I needed to put myself between a number of different stakeholders at any one time and get them to work together. Again, there were many who said I couldn’t, I shouldn’t, and even if I didnt’ I couldn’t make a difference. Yet, 3-4 years in the process now, I am speaking with global CEOs about the strategic implications of sustainability in China, I am building programs that engage employees and government agencies at the same time to create innovative science programs across 20 cities, and helping other socially minded entrepreneurs learn how to maximize their efforts and build organizations with impact as the opportunities for products and services grows in China In essence, I am now acting to help others build capacity to take their first steps.
  21. It is a process that has also led me to join the China Europe International Business School as an Adjunct Professor of Sustainability and Responsible Leadership for 4 months a year I teach 200+ MBA students about sustainability though a project based course. A program where they not only learn about the issues of sustainability and responsibility of leaders, but engage in an off campus project whereby they addresses an issue of sustainability as they define it. Students who have partnered with multinational corporations, government agencies, and local NGOs to act on issues of economic environmental, and society instability. TO build business plans for Shanghai’s food bank, to take their school off the grid, to improve elderly care, and .. It is program that was once met by heavy skepticism and pushback from students who felt that their time was better spent studying finance, marketing, and operations, but as the issues of environment, society, and economic grow in tangibility, the projects have born fruit, we have begun to see a change in our students. A change that we believe will alter the way that they as individuals lead other. In the corporate environemtn, or in the family unit.
  22. Because that is what this has always been about for me. Impact. Develpoing platforms that have a positive impact on the communities I serve, the students I teach, and the firms I advise. For me, tt started with a single step of developing a website, and at times seemed like im running an obbstacle course at marathon speeds, but ultiamtely thorugh this process.. A process started by a single “normal” person was a lasting legacy that has engages thousands of volunteers each year, changing the way that stakeholders work together, and reclaibrating the minds of future business leaders. It is process where hurdles exist. Sometimes brick walls, where you will hear that you shouldn’t, you couldn’t, and even if you did… it wouldn’t matter. But this is where your resolve is important, and where even in the worst of times it is important to have something beyond passion catalyzing you. It has to go deeper than that, and no matter what, you cannot question your ability to change the world. Because the reality is that you can, even if you are early in your career, straddled with debt, and a “foreigner” to your environment. As we have seen through each of the presentations tonight, a single person felt compelled to take a step forward to action. To be a part of the solution. Instead of debating whether or not they should of, they could of, or what impact they would have. Yes. At times you lose sleep. Yes. At times your team loses sleep. But ultimately, it is all worth it because when the focus is clear, the tasks are tangible, then goals are achieved. Impact occurs. The world is changed.
  23. So, as we wrap up this evening of stories of inspiration and action, please remember that none of the presentations would have been possible without someone taking that first step. Seeing someone in need. Extending their hand. And in each case, they are having an impact on the world. Saving sharks, delivering food, ensuring ancestral land rights, feeding and educating girsl who otherwise would have very different futures, and engaging volunteers to bridge and repair issues of community Each started with a single step A single step by a single person
  24. Thank You