I had the opportunity to visit Sokode Gbogame, Ghana to see first hand the work of Solace International—beneficiary of RichRelevance’s social efforts. The following blog are my reflections on the experience working with a primary school, a community clinic and two agricultural businesses built by Solace.
After a single week in Sokode Gbogame, Ghana, I feel my life perspective is forever changed. There must be a thousand different reasons for this shift, so I’m struggling to reduce the description of the experience into a single thought. My best attempt might be “Culture Shock.” And interestingly enough, not culture shock upon visiting Ghana but upon my return to “the first world.” Let me explain.
As I was preparing with my two godsons, Miko and Kimo, for my trip to Ghana, I constantly told them and myself to be ready for anything—to go to Ghana expecting any of the most unreal things to happen. We read books. We watched videos. We were prepared.
So, on the first day, when we saw people living in homes with aluminum siding as the roof or in shipping containers snagged off of the port, we weren’t surprised. In fact, Miko and I were so ready for anything that when our shower smelled of that wonderful “septic” scent, we didn’t pause to think that perhaps there was something wrong so we took our showers anyway (it turns out, there was something wrong, and it did get fixed) (and yes, don’t think about this too long, you’ll get sick).
Today is a day of conflict: I’m returning to work after a week working in Buenos Aires. Although I absolutely love being back in the States (and of course spending most of my weekend with my family!), I must say I really loved the experience in Argentina. Here are some random thoughts about the experience.
Today we announced a partnership with CNET, the authority on technology and consumer-electronics products. Although most of you have probably used CNET.com for product reviews or tech news, you may not know that CNET also aggregates data on more than five million products: specs, key selling features, compatibilities, and so on. Moreover, a small group in CNET built a unique recommendations technology, Intelligent Cross-Sell, specialized for this type of data. Flying way under the radar, they acquired some major customers and were delivering serious value.
Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported on a newly launched program, Palindrome Advisors, that aims to match an elite group of leaders in technology and other industries (media, advertising, entertainment, government, education, sports, hospitality, and finance) with nonprofits that need their help—all based on aligning advisor skillsets to just the right social service organization. What I 
like most about this group (and why I’ve signed up as a Founding Member) is that it isn’t just about board members giving back through financial contributions…it’s about true time and emotional investment in a cause. Palindrome helps ensure success by qualifying the match on both sides and providing community resources that drive long-term relationship success. By taking the Palindrome “Pledge,” I’ve promised to commit myself to a non-profit by serving on the board for at least one year as well as participating in the Palindrome community (something I do already :-))
When it comes to collaboration between retailers and brands, uneasy tension has been the status quo. For example, the fight for shelf space between retailer’s private-label brands and CPG branded products brings out such thoughts as “co-opetition.”
But according to a recent article in Variety, an unprecedented level of deal-making with Hollywood studios has swept up not just e-tailers like Amazon.com, Overstock.com, but also traditional retailers like Target, Walmart and Toys R Us “in the battle to nail down exclusive product pacts.”
With every new year comes an awareness that the next 365 days offer us a big wide empty canvas. We welcome it with open arms because it gives each of us a chance at rebirth, to bury the mistakes and foibles of the past year, exchanging them for unbridled potential in the new. And while we must move on from our successes of 2010, we carry the optimism that those to come may be even greater. Ah I love the new year!
This year, I’d like to challenge each of us to choose to do one small thing differently on a daily basis.