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What we want to be when we grow up…..

Tags

B-Corp, L3C, social sustainability, Triple Bottom line

When I first heard about LC3’s – I was thrilled. Then I learned about B-Corps and again I said “eureka!” But alas BlueRio Strategies is just not there yet. So I can at least say when we grow up we want to be a “Certified B! or an L3C!!”

Why, you ask?

Well, it used to be that the single bottom-line was all anyone cared about. Some still do. At BlueRio Strategies we honestly believe you can affect a triple bottom-line that is ROI (profit financially driven) but also ROP (Return on people and planet – not just investment of $$$.) The Triple bottom line = People. Planet. Profit In this we hope to make a difference in our community and in the world. A sustainability entrepreneurship of sorts –responsible and sustainable – especially when it comes to social impact. Until we grow up – we hope to service those that have already chosen their path – other B-Corps and Lc3s… So what are these structures?

What is a B-Corp?
I stumbled upon this site: B-Corporation
“B-Corporations are a new type of corporation which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corps are unlike traditional businesses because they:
• Meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards;
• Meet higher legal accountability standards;
• Build business constituency for good business

What a great way to help improve triple bottom line goals.

And what is an L3C? Per Marc Lane – an expert in the field:
“The “low-profit limited liability company” (L3C) is a new, hybrid business form which can leverage foundations’ program-related investments to access trillions of dollars of market-driven capital for ventures with modest financial prospects, but the possibility of major social impact.
An L3C can have different classes of investors – - individuals, nonprofits, for-profits, and even government agencies. But foundations, primarily seeking social payoffs, take the lion’s share of economic risk yet content themselves with below-market financial returns. No wonder for-profit investors, seeing the risk-reward tradeoff shifted dramatically in their favor, eagerly commit their capital and expertise to investments they would otherwise reject out of hand. “Marc is the force behind Illinois’ Low-profit Limited Liability Company (L3C) legislation, and has been instrumental in promoting L3C legislation in other states.” says Intersector L3C Partners.

So all depending on what BlueRio Strategies evolves into when it grows up – I dream that it will make lasting impact socially at large levels!

Making Assumptions to Conserve Brain Energy

Tags

assumptions, interpersonal communication, mind, understanding others

I know first impressions count. And yet I do not take that much stock in them. I mean we are all products of our experiences and that includes the hours before we meet each other.

Consider all that can affect a person’s mood and how and why they may show up a specific way – then watch for themes and only then start – and just start – to make assumptions. How often have you said or heard a friend say, “It’s weird when I first met him – he was awesome and then it’s like he’s Jekyll and Hyde” or “She used to be so polished, I can’t understand why she has such an unprofessional and casual demeanor. She really took me off guard.”

Of course sometimes we do change. And often it was just that we had a very bad or a very good day when we first met someone. Still, it seems to me that a more powerful way to learn about another is to temper assumptions and to become adaptive in how we see others. At the point that we can digest themes or repeated behaviors is when it may serve us better to create our own interpretations of others and their intentions. Even then we can be wrong.

Someone said to me recently “I try not to question the intention of others.” And my first reaction was to respond saying – “Sure but perhaps if we all questioned more – we may understand each other better.” Upon further reflection I think I get what she is saying. We can analyze so much we misinterpret why someone acted in a particular way.

I do believe there is a middle ground. Brains and minds need to make sense of surroundings and input in a way that takes the least amount of energy. I read in a book that our brain has the ability to use about as much energy as 40-watt light bulb. If this is the case, it makes sense that we rush to conclusions. We are trying to save energy. So, sure – we may have to rely on assumptions and quick interpretation of others. It’s a safety thing – it’s a survival thing – it a human thing. Can’t we though remind ourselves that we do this because our brain needs us to and that we can make mistakes? I just think it is a good thing to remember our environment affects us every day – which means it colors our interactions with others. We are not always what we appear to be. Understanding, open-minds, forgiveness, acceptance and inquisitiveness are empowering.