Episode 33 - How To Use Business To Make A Stand

Episode 33 - How to Use Business to Make a Stand

Welcome to Building a Bigger Table

The podcast for misfits, mavericks and magic makers who want to create a profitable, sustainable business that makes as much impact as it does income. 

In This Episode:

Welcome to episode 32 of the Building a Bigger Table Podcast, and I'm not going to lie, I'm going to get a little bit serious. I’m talking about a decision I made recently in my business, and more generally how we can use our businesses to make a stand. I think this is an important conversation for us as business owners, but also as consumers. 

Recently I decided to stop using Basecamp as my project management software after five years. And this decision is not based on the fact that there might be better suited alternatives out there - it is 100% based on the way Basecamp as a company has been operating recently, and a statement they made that is not cohesive with my values. If you've followed me for any time, you know what those are. It's about leveling the playing field, creating real social mobility and equity for everybody, not just equality. 

I'm not recording this episode from the position of someone who gets it right all the time, but as someone who genuinely is trying to get it right as often as possible. And as somebody who, despite her failings will always, always stand up for the things that really matter when it comes to values or morals and ethics.

When you work as hard as I do, and you do, I believe that the money we earn should be invested and spent with companies and people that support our own ethics, morals, and standards. So if you want to know how to use your business to make a stand, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

Decide on your values

You have to walk your talk

Spending is supporting

It’s not about cancel culture

Quotes:

“There's this feeding frenzy that wants to take them down because somehow some people think that if you can take somebody else, who's bigger than you down, you will take their space. That is not true. And it's not fair. And I think we should be very careful of this cancel culture and [...] feeding that fire because it is not healthy.”

“The only way you can use your business to make a stand is by actually doing it, is by saying I'm going to take my hard earned money and I'm going to go move it to a company whose ethics, morals, and standards are more aligned with my own.”

“I believe the way we hold people accountable is by holding ourselves to a higher standard. And actually backing up what we say, walking our talk. Voting with our dollars or our pounds.”

Meet Your Host:

Hi, I’m Shaa.

I’ve been called a serial entrepreneur … but I’ve never been one for labels! I’ve done SO many things in my career, including starting and scaling multiple 7 figure businesses, and am grateful for being recognised with some lovely awards - most proudly, an MBE from The Queen “for Services to Business and Entrepreneurship”.

I’ve been featured in major publications for my efforts (named one of the UK’s Top 20 Most Influential Entrepreneurs by The Sunday Times and one of the ‘Most Influential Women in the UK" by the Institute of Directors), and have written 4 straight-talking, bestselling books; Stop Talking, Start Doing; Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book, Do Less, Get More; and most recently, How To Fix Your Sh*t.

Where To Find Shaa:

Website - https://www.shaa.com/tribeworkshop

Facebook - https://en-gb.facebook.com/shaawasmund/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shaawasmund/

Clubhouse - @Shaa