Whole Foods

It took me almost a decade of "drinking the kool-aid" but I think I'm finally a believer in the theory that all good must originate from Austin! So many ideas, interesting people and interesting companies have sprung from the hills of Texas and I just can't get enough of the love for this town I call home!

Whole Foods Market is one example of an Austin idea and company. The philosophy of Whole Foods Market is to provide for the Whole Planet - giving health and well being to customers, to employees and partners, they are doing just that. Sustainable living has gone from the shadows to a way of life for the mainstream and Whole Foods is leading the charge.

Every aspect of what John Mackey has created exceeds the tenets of the Incspiration philosophy. The stores embody good design, the culture is beyond compare, with "gain sharing" that empowers the associates and a leader who believes in small business and believes that if you are true to your core as a human, you can contribute mightily to our world, whether it is through your own entrepreneurial endeavor or through working a career in a place that values your contribution.

To further spread his philosophy, John Mackey has co-founded the FLOW Project to inspire a new generation of entrepreneur and a new way of boldly seeking your mission in life. With the help of FLOW, I believe we will see more Incspirations come from the hills of Austin, changing the world of business for the better!

Sources: www.wholefoods.com, www.flowproject.org, Business 2.0 "Best Kept Secrets of the World's Best Companies" April 2006

Starbucks Soul

"A third place between home and work" - Howard Schultz

This is the vision of Starbucks Chairman, Howard Schultz - for Starbucks to become a home away from home, a place where you can find comfort and a friendly environment. Howard has succeeded. I enjoy being at Starbucks. I enjoy the smell, the environment and the energy. Howard suggested in an interview on "60 Minutes" that Starbucks feeds the Souls of its patrons. It is clear that Howard's passion and soul extends itself through the organization and I believe, to his point, that is extends to the customer. A true Inspiration.

Starbucks is the quintessential rags to riches story, the vision was and is extraordinary and the direction is still going up and to the right. The leadership, culture and design/business model is the perfect blend that all companies should seek - blend to your desired tastes.

What I appreciate so much about Howard's vision is that is was such an incredible leap from what was then "reality". He turned what once was the least expensive beverage you could order into one that costs as much as an alcoholic beverage. If you have a vision but you think it is too risky, think about Howard and his vision and get started! Perhaps nothing was riskier or more extreme than the vision for Starbucks.

Sources: 60 Minutes "The Star of Starbucks" April 23, 2006, www.starbucks.com

The Greatest Brands Of All Time!

What makes a great brand?

When we think of the greatest brands of all time, we tend to immediately think of Coca-Cola (Coke), Apple, Microsoft Windows or millions of other brands that influence our daily consumer lives.

But what about the "Greatest Of All Time" brand? I'm talking about Muhammad Ali and his slogan of "Greatest Of All Time" which he parlayed into a business named GOAT which is the acronym of Ali's famous phrase. On April 10, 2006, CKX acquired the rights to Ali's name and image, adding them to their portfolio of brands that include American Idol, Elvis Presley and more.

What is so amazing about CKX is that they took brands that had no product and are making a fortune from virtually nothing at all! Robert F.X. Sillerman and his partners have been mining the power of personality and making a fortune for themselves and their investors.

So the question for you is, "how powerful is your brand"? Is it being utilized to the fullest possible extent? There could be gold in your brand that goes beyond your products - make sure you mine it with creative insight into the power that has yet to be unleashed!

Sources: www.ckx.com, New York Times "$50 Million Puts Ali in Ring With Elvis and 'American Idol'" by Julie Bosman April 12, 2006

Creativity at Ferrari

In my personal view, no automobile embodies the concept of "art" better than Ferrari. So it was no surprise to read in the Harvard Business Review that Ferrari actively promotes creativity across the company, from executives to line workers.

Ferrari uses the following concepts to energize the organization:

• Cultural - Employees may meet for regular language lessons in English or German for free.
• Environmental - Ferrari launched a program called Formula Uomo that creates a healthy work environment in an architecturally pleasing manner.
• Design and Art - Ferrari organizes "Creativity Club" to bring in outside influences of art from music to cooking to sculpture in order to have creative professionals discuss their methods and sources of creative inspiration in their personal work.

What makes Ferrari such a good example is that they don't reserve the creative outlets for the design team and executives exclusively. They recognize, as they should, that creativity should permeate the organization. They have the insight to recognize that anyone can contribute and that their contribution can impact Ferrari at any level for the positive.

Sources: www.hbr.com

Tom's of Maine

Well, if you have not heard by now, Tom's of Maine is selling an 84% stake of the business to Colgate-Palmolive. For some time, I've been planning on a quick article of Tom's of Maine for Incspiration. Tom's has a reputation for inspiration - from the company's dedication to health, the environment and natural living to building a wonderful, family-like work environment.

My first thought on the news of the possible sale - and why I haven't written about it until now - was thoughts of disappointment. How could a company and its leadership that I look up to, "sell out"? After careful consideration, I came to realize that this move isn't one to worry about, if for no other reason than the fact that it is too early to worry about one of my corporate heroes. More importantly, Tom and Kate gave us their word that they've done the right thing for all. Based on their history, I should think we would give them a little slack.

Tom's of Maine is a wonderful example of Incspiration. Building a business on $5000 borrowed funds from a friend is inspiring but even more so when the business is built around customers health and health of the environment first before profits. Other ways Tom's has inspired us is in their dealings with their associates. Tom's is a wonderful place to work and has built over 200 jobs for folks in the small town of Kennebunk, ME. Finally, Tom Chappell continued to inspire by seeking a Theology degree from Harvard. His life and his work are intertwined and he recognizes the importance of a company having a good soul. Tom gives a nod to profit in his book "The Soul of a Business, Managing for Profit and the Common Good" but has recognized that success for any company over the long term is predicated on being true to the greater good of mankind and the planet.

Sources: www.tomsofmaine.com, www.wsj.com, Fast Company "God and Mammon at Harvard", May 2005

ANNOUNCEMENT: Apple now runs Windows!

Who would have ever thought?!?

Today, Apple announced that Apple owners using the new Intel chipset, can download software that will allow them to install and run Windows XP.

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/apr/05bootcamp.html

This is an inspired move by Apple - despite what diehard Mac addicts might say - that will boost sales of Apple products and won't hurt sales of Microsoft products either. Apple users will be able to work in XP or the Mac OS interchangably. I'm a big fan of the interoperability of the Microsoft products, as I've been using them for years but this announcement makes it easier for me to return to my roots as I was first introduced to computers by the Apple II. I'm an Apple fan in a Windows world and now that seems to have changed! I get the best design the best operation and now it appears I can collaborate with anyone, if I buy that PowerBook I've always wanted.

As of the close of market, Apple shares were trading higher. Ahh, the power of Incspiration!

Source: www.apple.com

Can Wal-Mart be an Incspiration?

Wal-Mart announced plans to enter into the organic foods market, starting with their Plano locations. There are not many efforts that qualify for inspired leadership than organic foods and organic living.

Not only is providing organic food good for the consumers and their health but it is good for the small businessperson - namely the independent farmer and ranchers. But does Wal-Mart's entry into this market signal anything positive? It is certainly too early to tell. What we can discuss is - does this put Wal-Mart on a track to become an Incspiration?

My good friend Rick entered an essay into a contest for a scholarship to benefit his MBA pursuits. The subject was "ethics in Corporate America" and, well, he chose Wal-Mart. I think we all know the reasons. Wal-Mart is the enemy of the small businessperson. Wal-Mart is considered one of the worst retailers you could ever supply to. Wal-Mart is also considered one of the worst places to work. Finally, Wal-Mart has consistently put its requirements ahead of the environment and community - whether it is clear cutting old, stately trees or trying to install parking lot lighting that well exceeds a communities established zoning standards.

The bottom line? I don't think many would stand up and side with Wal-Mart as an Incspiration but I for one won't look a gift horse in the mouth - kudos to Wal-Mart for considering organic foods and as long as they deal fairly with the farmers and support local growers - if they do all of that, then they are off to a good start on a long marathon of corporate responsibility.

Sources: Associated Press

Rabbit Wine Opener

If you are a wine drinker and gadget head, then it is likely you are one of almost three million people who have purchased the "Rabbit" to uncork your favorite bottle of wine.

The Rabbit was designed by Pollen Design for Metrokane, and was a smash hit the instant it landed in stores. The design launched Pollen into the spotlight and spawned so many copy-cats that it makes your head spin.

Analyst have credited this phenominal hit as part design and part first to market. The truth is, it was not first to market, Le Creuset produced a screwpull that was very expensive but nonetheless popular. It owned a patent that expired in 1999, allowing Metrokane to pounce. Fast forward to the launch of the Rabbit and it is easy to see that design was crucial to crushing the market and getting there "first" with good design even more important.

See the opening (vision) - inspire the market (design and value) - Win (follow through on the right business plan). It's that simple.

Sources: www.metrokane.com, www.pollendesign.com, Business Week "Scoops of Information" April 4, 2005