This great article highlights Paul and Daniel’s work in funding Maiyet, a brand that is among others which are tackling poverty and global issues in a new and innovative way: via fashion. The team, their mission and their style are bound to make a huge impact on the communities they are entrenched in.
by Adeena Schlussel
Howard Schultz’s campaign to divest from all political campaigns as a sign of disgust for Washington’s political feuds, has caught President Obama’s attention. President Obama recently called the Starbucks CEO to discuss the campaign, and while Schultz emphasized that his campaign is not directed against the President, it is clear that his rally has made an impression on our nation’s leaders.
This article takes a look at that story, as well as others that demonstrate Schultz’s renowned leadership and personality traits.
Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel
This Business Week article highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with a great team. When someone is not striving for excellence and exhibits certain detrimental traits, it is important to revisit if you want them to continue partnering with them:
Harriet Green, OneVoice board member and an old friend, was just ranked in the top 50 women in world business in 2011. She is the highest ranking business woman of the UK and that is not for lack of good company!
To see more about this honor, see here!
I am a big fan of Starbucks’s Create Jobs for USA campaign and it is incredibly admirable to see business leaders take a stand for the state of our country. For every purchase of the $5 Indivisible wristband, Starbucks will donate $35 to Opportunity Finance Network, an organization that doles out grants to Community Development Financial Institutions. These organizations in turn forward money to small businesses, microenterprises, nonprofits and other community focused institutions, in hopes of- you guessed it- creating jobs.
We have never been more proud to be one of Starbucks and Howard Schultz’s partners.
Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel
With the lack of leadership in Washington, it is comforting to know there is creativity and bold leadership coming from business entrepreneurs who want to contribute towards improving society. Take a look at this article about Howard Schultz’s efforts to generate jobs for America. This is a harbinger for the increasing role that enlightened capitalists will play in the future to address social challenges we face. As business pervades more and more in our daily lives, market forces and good corporate brands will be able to play increasing leadership roles – even as politicians get co-opted by special interests and petty extremist politics.
This Wired article reveals some of the content in the much awaited bio, Steve Jobs.
For example:
Steve Wanted to go ‘Thermonuclear’ on Android
Jobs was livid when HTC introduced an Android phone that shared a number of iPhone features in early 2010. An excerpt from the book: “I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple’s $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong,” Jobs said. “I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.” He told Google’s Eric Schmidt, “I don’t want your money. If you offer me $5 billion, I won’t want it. I’ve got plenty of money. I want you to stop using our ideas in Android, that’s all I want.’’ [AP]
Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel
Last night I attended a dinner that Miles hosted with a group of very interesting people. Along the way he shared his rules for choosing partners, which I think are worth sharing:
1. Only partner with someone with whom you would want to have breakfast, lunch or dinner with a second time.
2. Only partner with someone you like, admire, and respect.
3. Only partner with someone you trust enough to make the executor of your estate.
4. Only partner with someone with whom you would want to spend a long weekend on a small boat, in a small cabin, or on a small ranch.
5. Only partner with someone who shares the same passion, dedication, and willingness to sacrifice to accomplish the common mission.
6. Only partner with someone who has the human compassion gene. Compassionate leaders motivate and inspire their employees to reach beyond their own self imposed limitations.
The news of Steve Jobs’ passing really hit me, in an unusually strong way. I don’t know if it is because he was only 56 years old, or that he was such a business icon, or that he transformed the way people live and created so much financial value and so much enjoyment for so many. Or maybe it was that in a strange way many of us felt like he was part of our extended family, as his persona and accomplishments have certainly captured our imagination and attention. He was a courageous fighter, against pancreatic cancer, for innovation, for positive change, for excellence, and for beauty.
Here is a link to his Commencement speech at Stanford.
God bless him and his family.
This New York Times article makes the important point that having the most capable, productive and creative employees are a key component to success in any business. It is important that all team members give 120% and that mediocrity never be tolerated. Thanks to our leadership team, we have the good fortune to be able to work with many great team members who work around the clock with focus and diligence.
Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel