CHAPTER One: The TOMS Story
CHAPTER Two: Find Your Story
When you have a memorable story about who you are and what your mission is, your success no longer depends on how experienced you are or how many degrees you have or what you know.
A barrage of facts is simply not as powerful as a simple, well-told story. Stories resonate more than facts.
Supporters believe have bought into your story and want to be part of it.
Three questions to ask to discover your passion:
- If you did not have to worry about money, what would you do with your time?
- What kind of work would you want to do?
- What cause would you serve?
Tell Your Authentic Story to the World Over and Over
Share Your Story with Everyone You Can
Find the Influence Makers Who Will Love Your Story
Be Specific: Make sure your story is crafted to appeal to the people you really want to become your supporters and that it draws from your core strength.
CHAPTER Three: Face Your Fears
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw all the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
---Mark Twain
Everyone who succeeds battles through adversity.
Instead of focusing on fear itself, focus on what one can control, your actions. How you react to negative feelings is the key to your success.
No Matter What Happens, Win, Lose, or Draw, Never Forget That Life Goes On
Don't Fear the Unknown
Everyone Makes Mistakes
Don't Worry About What Others Think
Don't Fall Victim to the Best Idea Freeze (a decent idea with superb execution is better than a great idea with sub-par execution)
Surround yourself with enthusiastic interns and inspirational quotations and read biographies.
Think small. Think about what you do as one small step on a long journey.
CHAPTER Four: Be Resourceful Without Resources
Don't attempt to raise more money than you need, especially when that money comes with strings attached.
From day one, start giving to those in need. Incorporate giving into your business model.
Make What You Have Count
Develop a Presence Where It's Free
Forget Titles
Business Cards Mean Business
Reward Employees
pgs. 92-5: A wonderful list of great free resources!
CHAPTER Five: Keep It Simple
In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Simplicity of product design and simplicity of business model.
Do one thing and do it the best you can.
Unclutter Your Work Space
Keep a Notebook With You at All Times
Own as Little as You Can Get Away With
Schedule Everything
Combine!
Don't Let Technology Enslave You
Clean Up
CHAPTER Six: Build Trust--Internal and External
Get to know one another as friends and spend time together outside of the office.
The better your employees feel about their jobs, the better your business performs.
A leader can create a company, but a community creates a movement.
Own up to your mistakes and all room for your employees' lapses as well.
Extend more trust than you might normally be comfortable with.
Make sure employees know that making mistakes is ok, but breaking trust is not. Prune your organization of people who violate company trust.
Tips For Trust
Talk Openly With Your Staff
Give Away Autonomy
Trust That Your Employees Will Grow Into Their Roles
Always Follow the Golden Rule
Be As Open As Possible
Use Your Own Products
CHAPTER SEVEN: Giving Is Good Business
Giving attracts great employees and great partners as well. Incorporate giving anywhere you can at work. Give early.
CHAPTER EIGHT: The Final Stop
Start something!--something that matters.
Miscellaneous thoughts from the book:
- Core question: Why am I doing this?
- Kaisen: A Japanese word for small improvements every day
- The timing is never right
- Website: www.SENDaBALL.com
