Why the Best for the World is not always THE BEST - yet - and why you should be OK with that.
Anne Pleun van Eijsden
Founder of future proof paper industry @paperontherocks, writer
The very interesting and productive telephone conference is interrupted when, once again, my phone breaks down. After ferociously clicking it open thereby breaking my fingernail, I pull out the battery, place it back in, start up the phone and call my contact again. "I'm sorry, that was my phone, it does this regularly," I explain to him. "Time for a new one?" "No," I explain, "it's my Fairphone and I'm fine with it." Whereupon the man I'm talking to, suddenly tells me he also had a Fairphone, but decided to switch back to an Iphone due to all the teething problems he experienced with the Fairphone.
This was two weeks ago. And today it hit me:
everyone - and I mean everyone - should line up to support companies like Fairphone to become THE BEST. Because while this company is already the Best for the World - it needs time, and a lot of supporters, to become THE BEST.
As is the case with a lot of other companies that are 'Best' or 'Better' for the World.
Let's get personal. I was afraid to share this story since it hits so close to home for me and might leave my company vulnerable. But I believe it is important to share with you, my experience as an entrepreneur with a company that is also not the absolute best - yet.
Some months after starting the business, I landed the first big order for On The Rocks. I was over the moon. Yes! Someone believes in my Rockbooks to be the future of notebooks! We delivered them, and it all looked great. A week later, I received an e-mail. "We're very sorry to inform you, that some of the books are falling apart." The rocks were crumbling under my feet and I felt myself on the rocks (meaning: on the rocks 1. In a state of difficulty, destruction, or ruin). This was the end! My biggest newest client would for sure NEVER buy ANY Rockbook again!
We ended up solving the problem and replacing the broken books. And that's when it happened -
something that felt like a miracle, but should become the new normal.
The client wrote to me: "Thank you for solving the problem. And please, feel secured, that we will return with new orders. Because we believe in you, and we want to help you grow your business that is actually good for the World. So thank you, for continuing the work you do." (they did place three new orders since then)
And that is also why I am writing this article today. Startups with products or services that are good, better, best for the World, do not start with THE BEST company.
They lack volume. They lack scale. They lack reputation. They lack history. But they are the future.
And we need this kind of future. Because the old way of doing business, 'as usual', turns out to be very un-beneficial to us all. We need to raise new giants to take over and steer us in the right direction. Even if their company or product is not the most efficient or the customer support slow to respond, or the website does not work that well, or the product tends to show some teething problems, or the service is a little more expensive then the competition: stick to it. It will be worth the wait - if we all stand together.
To all sustainable entrepreneurs and endeavors focusing on solutions for a bright future: we've got your back.
Repeat after me: we've got your back.
Thank you for your time. Please by all means share your point of view in the comments, or share with people in a company you think could use a big heads-up.
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7 年I just read the article for the second time and love it. It remains a struggle sometimes to be supportive of the newbies and the inexperienced, but I love startup brands with a vision for a better world. And at the moment, in my job as a communication freelancer and in my life as a healthy food freak, I'm focussing more and more on those that are the best for our world. Thank you for sharing this and spreading some inspiration!
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7 年I love the article. At the same time : I bought the first fair phone. It has never worked properly. I loved how they replaced the battery that became double it size, they were helpful and I noticed they cared. Not just for doing their job. But other problems like that the phone would freeze or that pressing a button would have a delay of seconds to minutes never seized. My faiphone has been back to be fixed several times and every time it came back still not functioning. Eventually I bought a Samsung and stopped using the fair phone. Never had any problems. And I realise that slaves worked on the materials in my phone and people are working in poor conditions to assemble my phone. But it works. I love the idea of fair phone but if the product is not functioning then it is just a very expensive paperweight and a waste of energy and materials. If fair phone would make a phone that works and provides the service to ensure the phone keeps on working then my next phone Is a fair phone again.
Senior Treasury analyst, Treasury Manager, Treasury Analyst, Cash Manager looking for a new challenge
7 年I cannot add more to this article. 100% agree, but most of the people, including the ones with the purchase power to do it (I am not referring to the richest 1% of the world, I mean the medium class that can spend just a little bit more in this things) will just go for the cheapest without thinking in the consequences of their decisions. You just don't do a bbq with your friends and "oblige" them, everyone to bring their forks and knifes, to avoid plastic ones, and convince them to buy bio beef of veggies. I will always support these iniciatives but still the vast majority still lives in the old way.
LEAN Thinking, Sustainability & B-Coporation.
7 年Anne, a good example of the forgiveness that green brands experience from customers. Also, an example of the value that good brands offer (other than price and quality) is perceived well and offers lasting relations Good luck - Henrik Holm
Analytics Engineer at TeamViewer
7 年Dear Anne, your article has 100% support from everyone here at Fairphone that I shared it with. Thank you for your words, we agree with them heartfeltly. May good luck and, most of all, good understanding be with you and your business in the future. Best, Daniel Social Media at Fairphone