Be-Generative News #3: Brokering the Internal Sale

Be-Generative News?is a weekly newsletter that explores innovative regenerative solutions, shares updates on Our Kinds' journey to end single-use coffee culture and offers actionable insights for sustainability leaders.

Don’t get stuck in the middle – lead from the middle

Lean into this one because I’ve got plenty of hard-earned experience here.

An ‘OH SH*T moment set in the Asia Pacific comes to mind for this story...

New mother of a 3-month-old Massive promotion First project: an international joint venture—a 7-day conference for 1,500 Aussies (mostly blokes), matched by our partners in Asia. Cultural coaching Austrade briefings Hand-in-glove support from local experts Venues locked in a year prior

This trip was all about building relationships, curating the program, meeting potential suppliers, venue inspections, customer journey mapping... Exciting!

What could possibly go wrong?

As I walked to the back of the auditorium and opened the door to the backstage, I nearly fell into a river, surrounded by a mess of building materials and wiring.

This venue was supposed to be the heart of the program—and it wasn’t going to be ready in time.

New mother Massive promotion First international project First tough conversation, where I had to consider culture, diplomacy, royalty, and every other risk you can imagine for an event of this size.

I had to make the call to cancel this contract—and fast. But first, we had to make heroes of our on-ground support team. Instead of dwelling on the problem, we involved them in the solution.

By the end of the day, we had a new plan.

We went to the leaders of our business with a solution that not only worked for our joint cohort but also strengthened the relationship with our partners. It wasn’t on anyone’s radar before, but it was exactly what we needed—and the joint venture leaders could present it positively to our most senior partners.

This turned out to be just in time, as the Asian Financial Crisis hit a month later.

?

Pivot #2 was easier because our partners knew we could pivot respectfully. We worked together and delivered a revised program in May 1998.

Leading from the middle means you lead up, down, and sideways—and you don’t have to lead alone.

Need to pivot? Bring your advisors in early, explore options, and get back out there with solutions. You will be noticed, and you will be respected.

Tip: Lean on amazing mentors

There’s no such thing as a new idea—so be Be-Generative. Seek out mentors who’ve navigated similar challenges. Talk to a few, then stay true to your values as you move forward with solutions.

Dave Martin , an experienced startup founder, climate change entrepreneur, and Our Kinds investor (with his wife Trudy), has been a constant mentor for us through the pivots we’ve had to make on this journey.

This Week In Our Kinds

We’ve been working with people who are quite literally waist-deep in the waste problem, across different sectors.

They all face the same challenge: brokering the internal sale, finding internal champions, and creating new budgets for new solutions.

How do they help their businesses understand that eliminating a single-use, high-volume culprit like the disposable cup can ease the waste load and lead to further reductions?

Our Kinds can help with that internal sale—and we are .

In our first 5 months we avoided over 40,000 single use cups and lids going to landfill. Does your business use single use cups? Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint and be ready for the plastics plan regulation? Connect with us and we’ll help you, your business, and the environment.

Community Member Profile: Mary Anne Anderson of Coralus

Mary Anne Anderson ’s LinkedIn headline says it all:

“Activator Coralus/SheEO? partnering with women innovator entrepreneurs. Thinking global, acting local. Collaborate & contribute to create change.”

I know I can call M-A when we open doors to new markets, or when I have a business conundrum. Often, the solution is within me—I just need to talk it out, and her feedback always helps me find the answer.

Photo: #vanlife with @Mary-Anne Anderson and Lisa Siganto ?of Coralus

Recommended Resource: Regenerative Financial Economy

Coralus is shifting the funding landscape developing and providing non-extractive financial solutions for female and non-binary founders.?

Female founders are more likely to be delivering solutions that are responding to “the worlds to do list” the UND SDG’s, just like Our Kinds.?

It’s easy to get involved. And its win win win. That’s Be-Generative.?

Check out Vicky Saunders post this week if you would like to see how dire the situation is that they are addressing – this time from an AI perspective.?

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

We’re not just talking about change—we’re making it happen together. Join us as we continue to build this movement and BE the change we want to see.

Three ways to get involved and support us:

1. Comment on this weekly newsletter, tag someone who might want to read it and share it with others.

2. Follow Karen Monaghan for daily posts.

3. Subscribe to our monthly Our Kinds investor update newsletter (launching soon).