In May 2013, Richard Branson announced that he intended
to give away half of his fortune $2Billion to charity.
I had read a number of his books as well as watched a
reality show a few years ago where contestants competed for a job with one of
his companies.
More recently, being a Boomer, I was bemused by a title
of one of his books, Screw Business as Usual. After the announcement I decided
to finally read it.
The concept of Capitalism 90412 comes from the fact
that the earth is 90412 miles in circumference and beyond that to the understanding
that every single person has the responsibility for taking care of the people
and planet that make up our global village.
Beyond this, Branson talks about a group called The
Elders. This group with membership such as the late Nelson Mandela, Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, former Secretary General of the U.N. Kofi Annan, former Secretary
of State George Schultz, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and many others,
meets and visits areas where a global initiative might benefit from their
experience, expertise and contacts.
The fact that many diseases have been eradicated in our
part of the world, does not mean that Malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV/Aids and many
others do not still cause far too many deaths to this day.
The late Audrey Hepburn when speaking for Unicef,
stated that far less than $1.00 could inoculate a child against diseases that
have long been cured in many other parts of the world. Imagine, less than $1.00
to save a life.
Anyone, who has heard or read anything about or by
Richard Branson, knows that he seems open to any or all ideas.
Most of us realize that not every idea is a grand idea.
Not every idea will make millions or billions of dollars for its creator or
partners. However, an idea, could make a large difference locally to a
community.
People acting with Branson as part of Capitalism 24902
or the Elders can, by examining their production process and business
operations, potentially make a significant difference to both their businesses and the
environment.
However for many of the rest of us, when local
initiatives and ideas, for example in communities in Africa, are implemented; they
benefit by getting a new Well, Inoculation against Diseases, Sewing Machines
for their community or other things they perceive as a need in their area.
There are, I admit, times when most of us probably feel
we can’t do much to change what we think are problems in our own lives and/or
where we live. However, we all realize by now that, not everyone wakes up with
world changing ideas or inventions.
My thinking is that, the best way to get something
done, is to Start Somewhere.
For you and me, it might be something we see we
might do locally in our own community. For Capitalism 24902 and The Elders, it
may be something in a more distant part of the world.
Regardless of what we ultimately accomplish, we are,
however, united as inhabitants of this planet. Perhaps by reminding ourselves
of this, we might develop our awareness
that, we should be able to change something, however small, for the better. Possibly because of
our contribution and efforts, we might join the catalysts for change and be one
of those Making A Difference.
A few books I might suggest for those interested in
reading further:
Richard Branson – Screw Business as Usual (incredible
insights and initiatives being made to address issues in many areas of the
world)
Almost any other of Branson’s books such as: Screw It, Let's Do It - and/or - Like a Virgin – Secrets They Won’t
Teach You at Business School
Arnold Kling and Nick Schultz – From Poverty to
Prosperity – Intangible Assets, Hidden Liabilities and the Lasting Triumph over
Scarcity.
Indur M. Goklany - The Improving State of the World –
Why We’re Living Longer, Healthier, more Comfortable Lives on a Cleaner Planet
Bjorn Lomberg – How to Spend $50Billion to make the
World a Better Place
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