Category: Conscious Business

Kiva.org in Taiwan

時常造訪我部落格的人都知道，我認為一個好的部落格，不在文章的多少？而在於回應的內容品質。我非常驕傲有許多好朋友參與，讓這部落格成為我們共同體驗生命的聚會所。當您們有任何問題，我都歡迎您們在此分享。要再一次的抱歉，我用英文回答您們的問題（千萬不要怕英文。這部落格的成立就是要在台灣建立一個英文友善的網路環境。）英文只是一個工具，一個讓我們獨立尋求答案，跟世界溝通的工具。雖然我並不能給您們任何答案，但經過不斷的問對的問題，您慢慢會自己找到答案。

在最近的一次 Ppaper Business 06 中，我寫了一篇有關Kiva.org的文章，得到許多年輕朋友回響，經過他們同意後，我將其中兩人跟我的來往e-mail分享 於後，希望大家能開始對自己及對社會更有信心，不斷的問自己三個問題：

1. What do you hope to achieve in life?

2. What is important to you now?

3. What topics are you most concerned about?

用心的找出這些答案，一直在心中醞釀打量，有一天當您準備好時，就是您開始行動時。

永遠不要放棄成為一個Better Person的機會。

這是與LL有關kiva的來往信件。

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Dear Mr. Chu,

First of all, I really like what you mentioned in your blog posts and articles: you’re a businessmaker, daymaker, ripplemaker. I like the “ripplemaker” especially, because I’m always trying to be a ripplemaker. I firmly believe I can help or change others once I try to do so.

I’m a graduate student studying in NCCU(National Cheng-Chi University and majoring MIS(Management of Information Systems). I’m also a web developer with some experience.

After reading your article on ppaper business, I decided to send a mail to you. I finished my lending process on Kiva. In fact, I have a Kiva account from last year, but I didn’t try to loan until yesterday.

I think you gave me the drive to visit Kiva again and lend some small money for those people in need. I can’t agree with you more that what you said “entrepreneurship is the best way to create jobs and resolve poverty”.

I lended us$25 to a single mother who lives in Nicaragua for helping her small business. The reason why I decided to lend to her is simple: she’s a single mother who raising a child, and she can finish expected amount after my loan. I hope it would be a little helpful for her.

For your second challenge in ppaper business, I feel it’s a very interesting topic especially in Taiwan. I’ve thought about the feasibility and market in Taiwan when the first time I heard about Kiva.

As a web developer, I think building up a Kiva-like website in Taiwan is doable. In Taiwan there are some nice web services for cash-flow, and we’ve got a large Internet popularity, and the most important one is: people in Taiwan is much richer than some countries.

I think there are some concerns if we wanna build up a Kiva-like website in Taiwan:

1. Law issue. I’m not a lawyer and not a professional for laws, but I think there must be some restrictions for this model.

2. Moral hazard and risk such as frauds, bad debts. I think people in Taiwan maybe have some experience or heard about fraudulent organization. I don’t know if it would be a obstacle for promoting a Kiva-like idea in Taiwan.

However, I think the basic idea for helping somebody to start up is definitely feasible. I don’t know how did you consider the feasibility or other related issues about it?

Last but not least, I’m really glad to send this mail to dear Mr. Chu. I think I’ll send mail to you again in the future if I have some ideas about Kiva or something. 🙂

Yours sincerely
LL

Dear LL:

Thank you for your thoughtful emails. You are my Daymaker today. Your English is excellent, by the way.

The idea of my column on Ppaper Business is not to introduce Kiva but to get more people to take action and become Kiva member. It is not the money it counts, it is a way to know yourself. Why did you not loan this US$ 25 when you got excited about Kiva? This self reflection will teach you to know yourself. On the other hands, after learning this about yourself, you got involved with Kiva and loan US$ 25 and become a proud Kiva loan giver. You are on your way to do great things in the future. Now, you are thinking and doing things differently.

Look at the mirror and change the man inside.

Yes, I know there is legal issue on this in Taiwan. Kiva has even more problems in the States. However, they set up it as a non-profit and got into a gray zone when they started. Now, they have in house legal advisor to guide them to comply with the law.

I also know “104 boss” in Taiwan has the similar concept but poorly designed and poorly executed. Prosper has been shut down due to the for-profit nature of the business and the high deliquency rate.

Kiva is micro loan to the real poor people through other partners in the field. The repaid rate is so high that it has become a golden standard. They can make US$5.0 million loan a month now. What a accomplishment?

My good friend, Wendell, told me the culture thing is in the way. Taiwan is a low trust society. We are too smart to trust anyone. Please take a look on Kiva’s member list. They are all normal people with middle class income. They are happy because they want to share happiness. I believe we have enough this kind of people in Taiwan. We just need to find a way to release this powerful intention. Your talent in web design and system implementation could be a great asset for us to launch a great web based social entrepreneur. Are you that good? 🙂

Kiva is a concept. we can leverage this concept to build a web based platform to help people lift their poverty or any other causes.

Please keep in touch so we can create a think tank to use web to do good things.

Be the change, Ping

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
這是與RR有關kiva的來往信件。
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

Dear Ping,
This is the first time I try to mail you some of my thought. I’m 18 now, and studying computer science in NCCU. I’ve read ICB and ppaper since I was a high school student.
I have great interested in Web technology and business. I’ve learned related skills for 3 years and an intern Web developer in a company for 1 year. This summer, I’m dedicated to an independent website startup, and hoping that I can do something amazing.
The love of the internet is why I feel really excited as I read your article in the latest magazine.
I think Kiva is revolutionary because it show a whole different approach and possibility of charity. It reminds me of Red product project. Most of us consider doing charity to be donating something like money or time but both of Kiva and Red are not.
Actually, Kiva isn’t a new idea and I’ve learned it years before. I still remember either Kiva or Prosper was popular in 2007. In Taiwan, there is no trouble to build such a website. Any senior web developer like me can build a full functional one by himself. As far as I’m concerned, the main problem we’re faced with is that such an abnormal loan agency which perform every operation peer-to-peer and online might be illegal in Taiwan.
To be frank, the reason why I send you the mail is not only because I want to share some of my idea but also want to help you to build up a Kiva-like website in Taiwan. I’m sure that I have great ability of Web design and development. If you have any problem or just need some help, please tell me. I would be glad if I can take part in such an revolutionary project.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you and thank for your reading.
Best Regards,
RR

Dear RR:
Just a quick note to thank you for your can do spirit. I would love to meet you and connect you with other young people who are aspiring to be a web entrepreneur.
Fist thing first, I still want you to join the Nonzero Club and loan US$ 25 to a selected third world entrepreneur. I will reimburse you this amount of money when we meet later.
The idea of my column on Ppaper Business is not to introduce Kiva but to get more people to take action and become Kiva member. Richard, if you don’t take action and loan the US$ 25, you are not the person who will start a business for the good of society. It is not the money it counts, it is a way to know yourself. Why did you not loan this US$ 25 when you got excited about Kiva? This self reflection will teach you to know yourself. On the other hands, after learning this about yourself, you got involved with Kiva and loan US$ 25 and become a proud Kiva loan giver. You are on your way to do great things in the future. You are thinking and doing things differently.
Now, you know how our youth’s attitude about starting their own business. People just got infomation on what’s cool, not many of them actually take action and participate. Only through the personal experience in Kiva and engage with these poor entrepreneurs seeing them to be successul ( repaid the loan ), you will get a sense of joy and know you are a good man.
Look the mirror and change the man inside.
Yes, I know there is legal issue on this. Kiva has even more problems in the States. However, they set up it as a non-profit and got into a gray zone when they started. Now, they have in house legal advisor to guide them to comply with the law.
I also know 104 boss in Taiwan has the similar concept but poorly designed and poorly executed. Prosper has been shut down due to the for-profit nature of the business and the high deliquency rate.
Kiva is micro loan to the real poor people through other partners in the field. The repaid rate is so high that it has become a golden standard. They can make US$5.0 million loan a month now. What a accomplishment?
My good friend, Wendell, told me the culture thing is in the way. Taiwan is a low trust society. We are too smart to trust anyone. Please take a look on Kiva’s member list. They are all normal people with middle class income. They are happy beacuse they want to share happiness. I believe we have enough this kind of people in Taiwan. We just need to find a way to release this powerful intention. Your talent in web design and system implementation could be a great asset for us to launch a great web based social entrepreneur. Are you that good?
Kiva is a concept. we can leverage this concep to build a web based platform to help people lift their poverty or any other causes.
Be the change,
Ping
www.pingchu.com
www.twitter.com/pingchu
Please visit my blog and get to know me better before we meet.

Dear Ping,
I feel glad and really appreciate your reply. I’ve been once afraid that you might be unwilling to talk to such a young guy.
Today, I’m delighted to tell you that I’ve almost made my first loan on Kiva.org. To be frank, when I read your mail this afternoon, I felt a little embarrassed since I forgot that the most important thing is to participate. Thank you again for reminding me what really counts. It gave me a chance to know more about myself.
The experience of making loan is fun as well. I spent about three hours browsing the site and tried to find out the ideal entrepreneur. I chose a herbal seller in Ghana, which is a country I’ve never heard before, as my first try for I believe if I can help him, he can help other people in need in his country. That is, he can spread the goodness.
I even told my father about Kiva. He also consider it workable and was amazed by such an idea. My dad is a good man. He has donate to the charity every year. What’s more, he decided to make his first loan with me. He chose three brothers in Cambodia because he find a dream in their eyes.
However, when we want to check out. We encountered a problem that we have no paypal account. Soon as we finished signing up an account, we still need to wait for the credit card verification.
I’m looking forward to make my first loan. I’ll write more about how I feel after I successfully help other entrepreneurs in the third country.
By the way, I read a part of your blog, and would like to have a copy of daymaker. Could it be possible for me to get one in any bookstore or it’s only available in Aveda?
Best Regards,
RR

Dear RR:
“He chose three brothers in Cambodia because he finds a dream in their eyes.” Kudos to your dad for me.
It is occasionally having met a reader like you that made all my efforts worthwhile. You are my Daymaker today.
I also spent lots of time to find the right entrepreneurs to loam my money too. It is a really fun experience. You know you have been a responsible global citizen through your own effort. The world is always changed by these small group of enlightened people.
I, especially, love to know that you got your father interested in this endeavor. It must be a great father and son bonding. You will get your Paypal account soon and you will be able to explore more and help more people.
You are right on that the participation is the only way to learn. Let’s refuse to be a silent observer and let our life passing through in front of our eyes.
You can purchase Daymaker book only from Canmeng Aveda store and network. Please check http://www.canmeng.com/?p=stores for location. Thanks for your support.
Please keep Daymaker movement alive.
Love,
Ping

The Centered Cover Story: Meet The Ripplemaker

Ping Chu RippleMaker

Katherine Young interviewed me several months ago. We spent quite a long time together and I was struck by her thoroughness and professionalism. I just found out that that interview has turned into this brilliant cover story in Centered on Taipei magazine (May 09). Thank you, Katherine, Roma Mehta and Emily McMurrinfor helping us to tell our story.

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Meet The Ripplemaker

Text: Katherine Young, Images: Emily McMurrin

Yes, a ripple maker I will be,

as I cast these thoughts to you…

Pick your pebbles carefully,

Cause you’re a ripple maker too!

Denise Lanford

Meet the Daymaker

At a recent birthday dinner at Nonzero, I observed owner Ping Chu, stylishly outfitted in black and white, as he played consummate host to a group of forward thinking movers and shakers in Taipei. While skillfully engaging and tending to his guests, he made time to periodically slip back to us, nestled in a back corner, usually with someone on his arm that he wanted to make sure we “knew.” When, in the course of one of these forays, he got wind of our celebration, he grinned widely and disappeared, only to return shortly after with a decadent double chocolate cake.

Mind you – this was my first introduction to Mr. Ping Chu.

Days later in our correspondence to arrange a meeting, I beheld, under his name: “Businessmaker, Daymaker, Ripplemaker.”

You can’t help but smile when reading that, can you?

So, who is this man and where do such titles come from? After several hours with Ping and Centered editor, Roma Mehta, I feel as though I am just scratching the surface. He is indeed a maker of all sorts and through our conversations I gained a sense of this man-a man who prefers to rephrase the commonly asked, “How do I balance work and life?” to what is in his mind a better question: “How can I integrate work and life?” He spoke at a conference in November about ‘making a life rather than making a living. “ With this in mind, he aims to create sustainable and holistic businesses, where ultimately, the business doesn’t actually need him to proceed, allowing Ping to realize what he termed as his primary goal when he entered this realm – freedom. By all counts it seems to be working. He still manages without a mobile phone – though he admitted the recently unveiled iphone is awfully tempting.

Ping has arrived at his views through vast business experience and travel, paired with exacting analysis and appreciation of what works and what doesn’t in practice. A consummate storyteller, we reveled in fascinating snippets of his life, in particular, those that have shaped his values and views.

When Ping discovered the Beatles and the world they inhabited while in high school, his desire to travel was piqued. After completing his degree in Taiwan, he went stateside to do a BS in Pharmaceutical Science; at this point he thought he was all set – “I’m a pharmacist” rolled easily off the tongue. But then came a critical twist in his life – his father became ill. He put all on hold, returned to Taiwan and spent six months with his father in the hospital. In that suspended space between life and death, he found himself questioning five more years in school and a life that was, “all set.” When his father passed away, his obligations were few, and so he set out on a year of wandering. Through the United States and Europe his travels took him, and in that time, he clarified his decision not to return to his pharmacy program, or as he put it, “to step off the treadmill” and avoid the “salary trap.”

Meet the Businessmaker

Ping Chu Ripplemaker 2

Even at that time Ping was drawn to products of quality, particularly a certain black and white bottle that raised the standard on any hair care products he’d previously used. As I gazed at Ping in his elegant black jacket with its mandarin collar and crisp three button white shirt, I easily envisioned him and his excitement upon discovering the likes of Paul Mitchell, a new company offering a philosophy of hair care and real style. He paused here in the story, inspired by these memories it seemed, to offer a bit of advice to the young: Enrich your life experience for you never know what will happen. Replace the fear of uncertainty with curiosity. Ping was curious about that black and white bottle and what it represented, and so he became a Paul Mitchell enthusiast, and it seems Mr. Mitchell reciprocated!

His seemingly simple decision to use these products led to a rather extraordinary string of events. While trying out a string of jobs in the United States, from waiter to salesman, Mitchell asked Ping if he would bring his line to Taiwan. The early stages were markedly humble – with stock lining makeshift shelves in his living room and his mother labeling bottles, he set out to introduce a philosophy of hair care that was diametrically opposed to the then Taiwanese approach of having your hair washed exclusively at the beauty parlor. Ping educated and illustrated how one must give, in order to get – in this case, he showed salons that by ‘liberating’ their customers and teaching them how to take care of their own hair, they could actually increase their income by focusing on more technical, work intensive processes. Ping knew at this stage that he wanted to create a business based on trust, community, common sense and honesty. He offered all the salons the guarantee that he would buy back any product that they didn’t sell, and he brought in sales people who wanted to be part of a team. He paid them a salary, rather than making it contingent upon sales, and created the idea that success was not based on the “master sales person” but rather the integral functioning of all involved in the process. This idea that success is shared by all continues to define his businesses today.

Over time, he developed a friendship with Aveda founder, Horst Rechelbacher, who came to Taiwan annually when sourcing products. With similar philosophies and interests, theirs was a natural fit. The rest is history.

Long before Nonzero’s arrival, Ping had loved the idea of opening a restaurant that would translate the philosophy of Aveda into the culinary arena, but had no practical knowledge or idea how to approach it. He envisioned a community eatery that focused on taste through the use of organic foods, and that highlighted an aesthetic presentation.

Ping Chu 2

Nonzero, now two years old, has undergone several transformations since it opened, and if you haven’t visited lately, you’ll be tantalized when you do. Gazing at the restaurant and street front, my eyes dart back and forth – do I believe what I am seeing? Allowing my eyes to linger, I realize that the street is in fact quite lovely. Upon designing his office on this narrow alley – there is an Aveda Salon on the street as well – Ping resolved to, “stop complaining how ugly Taipei is and do something about it.” With that, he gave his designer free reign to emphasize the outside view, the goal being to offer “a gift to the neighbors.” The ripple of this action inspired the health food store/restaurant across the street to make their own effort to beautify the block by placing a table and benches outside their shop. Now, the rest of us get to revel in a quaint stretch of downtown Taipei, complete with an outdoor iron sculpture. When the corner building (now Nonzero’s location) opened up, the owners, residents on the street and witnesses of the street’s transformation, approached Ping, “I want you to have it. I’ll wait for you.”

Ping put the idea out into the universe as only a good ripplemaker can and in due time met the critical component, an experienced restauranteur, who could help him transmit the dream into reality. “I have a great space,” he told him – “help me.” Nonzero was born. He has dreamt into reality the most prepossessing watering hole. The style, be it shabby chic, rough luxury or recycled beauty, is tasteful and accommodating. Glass shelving shows off French porcelain and serves to divide the two rooms, while natural light streams in. Both intimate and larger community style tables grace the restaurant, the latter crafted from handsome pieces of wood and stay true to Ping’s vision of offering ‘liked minded’ a meeting point to engage and share ideas.

The day’s vegetables are on display in an open refrigerator at the back, and recently our waiter encouraged us to peruse the offerings before selecting, reminding me of meals in a rustic Italian trattoria. All produce is sourced locally, and much boasts special distinction– organically grown by Pierre Loisel – on the menu. Ping’s experience of the last two years has inspired some changes both in the physical layout of the space and the menu. We were there recently for the latest unveiling, which continues to include all dishes ala carte and as well as set menus for 700nt, 900nt and 1500nt. Our appetites were sated and our taste buds tickled with the 700nt menu: homemade bread for dipping in a beautiful French olive oil and aged Italian balsamic; hearty mushroom soup; traditional Panzanella (Italian bread salad); perfectly cooked risotto (free range chicken or local mushroom) followed by an Aveda like herbal tea infusion. As local Taiwanese mushrooms were the specialty of the day, we also opted to savor one grilled. It arrived on a rustic wooden cutting board accompanied by a pungent pepper spread. The elegant simplicity of the food; the thoughtful service, including a visit from the able chef; the warm atmosphere – they all intertwine so seamlessly that we shook our heads in disbelief when we finally wandered out late into the evening.

Meet the ripplemaker.

Ping expressed gratitude often for the luck that he has had in his life; certainly, luck has played a role, but infused, no doubt, with a forward thinking approach to business and living. Aveda has a dedicated and ‘critical number of customers that support it,” allowing him to engage and support many other ideas and beliefs close to his heart, Nonzero being one of them. The soiree when I first met Ping was, in fact, part of his broader vision to inspire intellectual discourse in Taipei. And indeed the group that night gathered together, around his community tables, sharing ideas and discussing the future. He takes this quest on in many ways-his blog, his restaurant, his involvement in BQ (the Big Question) and his support of TEDxTaipei. Through each he aims to inspire active communication and dialogue and to raise consciousness. Kindly, he has also provided a venue where such folk can convene.

The effects from Ping’s beliefs and actions seem to be reaching greater distances these days. His blog reads – Be inspired Get involved Take action – he certainly seems to embrace this credo on a daily basis.

To Be Of Use by Dave Smith

幸福工作法則: 愛．趣味．有意義

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.

.

To be of use

The pitcher cries for water to carry

and a person for work that is real.

– Merge Piercy –

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Eco- preneur (環保創業人)

看了Dave Smith的部分中文稿 (我特別在google Book Search上讀了他的原文)，我心中不但激動不已，更馬上想到一個我的Creative Action Hero (創意行動英雄)－Pierre Loisel劉力學先生 (《有機心生活》，咖啡田文化出版)。

這篇推薦序是我向劉力學致敬的短文，也是我向全台灣有機農人致謝的努力。坦白說，我並不知道Dave Smith，但我對他的另一個合夥人Paul Hawken卻是非常熟悉，他的書《商業生態學 》(The Ecology of Commerce，新自然主義出版)，是永續企業經營倫理的啟蒙書之一。

我真希望有更多人開始認識Dave Smith與Paul Hawken。這些創業人的人生歷程，他們沒有建立不得了的世界級大企業，但他們卻是許多新一代Eco-preneur (環保創業人)的典範英雄。
除了精采的前半段關於Dave的半自傳外，Dave跟我們分享了他對自己的慶幸：

『我很慶幸我這一生都能將我的專長、價值觀和人生目標充分運用在我選擇的工作中』。

最重要的是Dave一再一再的提醒我們每一個人，我們都有這種自己創造自己命運的覺醒，關鍵在於「我選擇的工作」。

小型在地企業

Dave告訴我們：

『我最喜歡的職場是：懷抱某個社會目標或使命，能提供有用的產品與服務。也能為工作創造意義的「小型」企業。』

這也是我在經過二十年後，一直在實驗的挑戰。如何創造出這樣能獲利的「覺醒企業」 （Fred Kaufman的《Conscious Business》，天下文化出版），能讓每個人在自己選擇的工作中自我實現。我不能說我已找到了。但基本上我認同Dave所說的，沒有「缺席」的投資者（Absentee Ownership）的小型「在地」企業是比較容易永續經營這種覺醒企業（我特別不用「社會企業」一詞）。
我的好友劉力學是第一個用實際行動、科學實驗的精神與方法，提出台灣未來的一個出路：

用廚餘堆肥發展台灣的有機農業。

我在2005年肯夢AVEDA第一屆的悅日人節中曾頒一個悅日人獎給劉力學，讓他知道他是我們的創意行動英雄。在台灣我們有劉力學提倡跟Dave在這本書上所說的在地有機農人。劉力學跟Dave一樣都是永續農業的拓荒者及先驅。

Dave提出了社區認養農業的概念，用社區信合作社及直接公開發行股票給顧客、經銷商來籌資(Direct Public Offering，DPO)，「將食物跟消費者建立關係，不是跟市場維持關係」。因為網路、合購、認養、宅配等新的思維，相信Dave及劉力學的遠見，會成為目前大量化、工業化農業的另一種新興選擇。

Dave的書提醒了我們：

  • 為什麼這麼多人埋怨陷入(trapped)一個沒有意義的工作，但卻不知道當我們減少自己的物質慾望，願意只拿一半的薪水，會給我們真正的自由，尋找到更有意義的工作嗎？
  • 為什麼年輕人把成功定義成擁有財富、成為名人？
  • 會有越來越多的人，願意多付一點錢，支持對社區有幫助的在地企業及合乎人道環保的產品。
  • 以社區為主的農業(Community Based Farming)是人類未來必須要走的一條路。因為目前以石油能源為主的生活及文明一定會面臨挑戰。

Eco-chic & Eco-intelligent 環保風格&環保智慧經濟

在1988年，剛從美國回台，我第一次去花蓮「鹽寮淨土」參加區紀復先生 (《愈少愈自由》，心靈工坊出版) 的簡樸生活，被區先生的發心發願所感動。但我也向他提出我對簡樸生活的不同看法。每一個人對簡樸的定義不同，而且不可能每個人每天都能過區先生的簡樸修行生活。但只要我們能從不污染身體開始，我們就不會污染這個地球。因此只要我們儘可能不用以石油為主的化學合成產品，我們就會減少污染身體，地球也會有修復的機會。我不認為這是零和遊戲(Nonzero Sum Game)。

Fashion、愛美不是壞事，是一種自我表現，讓自己與眾不同（在原始社會即有這種fashion statement），或讓自己認同某一種身分及價值（我知道我在為自己的事業強辯）。但真正的事實是我們要讓下一代的年輕人，能從「愛」、從「美」、從「設計」、從「創意」中接受這種不污染自己即不污染地球的「利己」(self-interest)開始。我無法要求我女兒過區先生的簡樸修行生活，除非她有一天發心發願，自己決定。最後，我與區先生達到默契，我們用不同的生活方式、不同的消費選擇，達到共同的目的，讓地球能有修復的機會。

二十年來，我一直在實驗如何讓我團隊的工作夥伴有合理的薪資、透明的財務、20%利潤分享，把生活跟工作結合，雖然公司沒有賺到大錢，但一直維持「慢」成長，而我也一直堅持新創獨立的小型企業，不求大、不求快，做自己專長、有熱情的事。

我相信會有愈來愈多有才氣的人會進入在地小型企業，先選擇降低對財富、名望、物質的需求，才能不求百萬年薪、股票選擇權。但堅持能用到自己的專長，發揮自己的熱情，能創造更高的社會、環保意義。

重要的是，我們的社會有沒有足夠的這種覺醒在地小企業。

如果沒有，為什麼不由您開始呢？

謝謝您Dave、劉力學、區紀復 － 我們的創意行動英雄。

BQ Conference


Chu Ping talks about making a life rather than making a living from BQConference

我在2008年11月，一個偶然的機會，認識一群年輕人（Jason， Keli， Eric， Kevin）希望能以美國TED的模式在台灣用問大問題的方式, 成立Big Question。推動一個新的覺醒運動。在兩天的會議中：

我個人認為這是一個難得的機會，讓台灣能有更多的人參與這種積極正向，衝擊智慧，探索知識的會議。雖然當天參與的人僅有兩百多人，我深盼在未來有更多的人願意參與。


Pierre Loisel and Chu Ping Q&A from BQConference

如果您願意，可來信告訴我下次ＢＱ要再舉辦類似會議時，你可優先報名參加。我強力要求您們走出自己的舒適圈，多認識些有同樣理想的新朋友。

2009-03-28 Update

Our TEDxTaipei event is featured on TED website now. http://www.ted.com/pages/view/id/263

Check it out.

大陽台生活（2）Terrace Living

我在ICB雜誌及自己的Blog裡，有一篇文章“大陽台生活”得到許多人回響。我知道在台北市寸土寸金的地方基本上是不可能有任何開發商做這種嘗試。除非一個有遠見的瘋子決定用建立一個最獨特大計劃來向世界證明台灣也能有世界級地標性大型公寓住宅計劃。

我曾自己想過，如何能建立一個高密度，大型公寓（如此才能降低價格），當時就想到只有用交替層疊不規則的方式設計，如此才能每戶都有大陽台。

最近好友告訴我紐約市將有一個Herzog & de Meuron（北京奧運鳥巢體育館的設計師）所設計的一棟住宅公寓。

現在，我們知道，許多 事不是不可能，只是願不願意。

56 Leonard Tribeca Condo by Herzog & de Meuron

快樂營利社會企業 For-profit Social Enterprise

最近有機會跟一些年輕人談到“營利社會企業”的另一種可能。我一直相信會有更多優秀的人，思考如何將他的長項特質跟社會使命結合，而不願成為高薪工作的奴隸或囚犯。能在NPO（非營利組織）或NGO（非政府組織）找到工作當然很好，但仍然受限於基金會的董事及政府對非營利組織的管制，失去對自己命運的控制。快樂營利社會企業會是許多人的second career的第一選擇，因為他們發現真正的快樂來自於幫助人，知道自己的付出能對社會地球的永續有所貢獻。

我跟許多人說，成功有一個常被忽略的元素就是勇氣(courage)。當我們有勇氣時，我們就可以無懼(fearless) 的面對傳統智慧(conventional wisdom)。

煩請一定要閱讀在這里我曾寫的一篇有關營利社會企業的文章，然後再繼續閱讀下面的案例。

【快樂營利社會企業案例-Case Study】

在Case Study之前必須釐清四個重要先決條件：

  1. 您與合伙人必須要有清晰的人生目標，並對財富有自己的定義。不求事業上市﹙IPO﹚，僅是想創造一個“永續”的快樂營利社會企業。﹙有社會使命的企業，不是以股東利潤極大化的企業﹚
  2. 您及合伙人，必須是在各行業的佼佼者，從事高創意、高知識、高感性的服務業，只是突然發現人生除了賺錢外，應該還有其他更大的意義。
  3. 不借錢、不做大資本投資的事，僅做能發揮自己長項的事。
  4. 在社會使命中有一個單一的熱情，想用自己的公司，全力的推動這社會使命。 因為“快樂營利社會企業” 的掘起，更需要能夠把熱情、創意、夢想、現實都整合的人。擁有這種能力的人將是21世紀最重要的人才。

目前越來越多人，開始專註如何設計一個經營模式能結合專長、興趣跟社會使命及人生意義。

  • 假設有三個人年紀30歲左右，都在廣告界、設計界、文化界或基金會做了超過10年的事，突然發現人生並不是追逐金錢而已。應該找到一個能發揮三人專長，提供三人基本生活開支，同時也能做有意義的社會公益事業。
  • 三人發現對寵物有特殊的感情﹙兩人有養狗，一個有養貓﹚，決定在有生之年推動愛護動物的社會公益事情。
  • 三人決定創立一個廣告設計公司：
    • 每人“借”100萬給公司，集資300萬台幣成立一個廣告設計顧問公司。
    • 希望在5年內，除了每人每月固定薪資外，並在年底以股利方式每年分紅，直到30０萬股本及利息還清為止。
    • 一旦當股本還清後，所賺的利潤將以50/30/20的比例分配。
    • 50%留在公司繼續投資
    • 30%投資自己成立的愛護動物基金會
    • 20%公司同仁利潤分享
    • 企業每年30%的利潤將用來固定資助愛護動物基金會。此基金會將不再靠捐助或政府支持。相信這家公司一定能吸引許多像他們一樣愛護動 物的人加入。同樣地，您可以將30%利潤永續支持在您有特殊感情的事上﹙愛滋病、舞蹈、劇場、環保、希望小學、家暴、老人院、青少年成長、閱讀…等﹚。

當然這三個人先要成為成功的生意人，將廣告設計顧問公司經營的有聲有色，每年有利潤。

我相信在創意文化後，“真實”與“信任”﹙Authenticity & Trust﹚將是企業未來最重要的競爭優勢。因此投資在“被信任”所需的強項上，將是企業分配資本投資時的重要策略。

最後我要再一次邀請所有讀者寫信給我，不管是問問題也好，或是有任何不同意見，我都期待與歡迎。畢竟，沒有互動就沒有參與，沒有參與就沒有擁有，唯有擁 有，你才會真心改變。

家庭作業Home Assignment:

您認為甚麼樣的人適合創立這種“快樂營利社會企業”？您適合嗎？如果目前不適合，未來有可能嗎？如果有可能，那您明天起要做甚麼准備？

比免費更好 Better Than Free

Kevin Kelly 是我在90年代 Wired雜誌中所認識的一個很奇特的人物，他並沒有讀過任何大學，年輕時跑到亞洲做一個專業攝影師，每次他的任何想法都深深地影響著我。他是少數幾個在 數位化的Network Economy(網狀經濟)中，我認為擁有大智慧的人，他有兩本書影響我很大：一本是1998年的《New rules for the new economy》，另一本是1995年的《Out of control》。如果您沒有看過這兩本書，您不能認為您了解什麼是New Economy(在90年代非常流行的新名詞)。

Kevin Kelly 的許多想法一直到目前仍是有影響力的，我們現在所看到的Open source movement、User generated contents(UGC)如：Youtube、Facebook、Wikipedia 都是他有名的hive mind(像蜜蜂巢一樣的心智—集體的智慧)概念。我一直認為我們可以、而且應該從成功的網路數位經營模式中學習，並建立一個實虛共存的混合經營模式。

最近我看到Kevin Kelly在他的個人網站www.kk.org中分享了他最新的想法，看完後我就有股衝動，想讓仍有理想主義特徵的年輕讀者，可以接觸到世界級大智慧者的最新想法。

絕大多數的企業，仍在以價格便宜為主要的競爭方式，消費者也仍以〝好康〞為決定購買的主因，若僅以這種價格取向的消費文化，很難產生出真正有質感的世界級 創意產品；但如果只一味以降低價格為競爭方式，那還有什麼比〝免費〞更好的呢？這也是我為什麼被Kevin Kelly《Better than free》的文章主題所吸引。

When copies are free, you need to sell things which can not be copied.
(有什麼不能輕易複製的呢？) 我們都已經知道〝信任〞不能複製，更不購買，〝信任〞是要經過時間才能「暫時」獲得的。Kevin Kelly認為有八件「原製性」(8 Generatives)事情是比免費更好的，讓人們會願意付錢購買。

1. Immediacy 即時性
人們願意付錢比別人先體驗一些經驗，為什麼不能將新產品以高價，讓願意先體驗的顧客先行購買呢？目前流行的方法是〝免費試用〞，這是不知道可以用「Immediacy」來建立新的價值。

2. Personalization 個人客製化
如果餐廳能讓客人自己帶些自己買的食材，餐廳可以為他製作專屬他的菜色，但是客製化一定要有親密的關係，而且雙方都珍惜這種客製化機會及關係，不願輕易放棄。

3. Interpretation 解說權
大家都知道的一個老笑話，軟體本身免費，但說明手冊會很貴。在未來製藥公司將免費替您做基因測試，但您要付高價才能知道基因的意義，及如何使 用基因資訊。

4. Authenticity 真實性
因為太多的複製品，往往會使人更珍惜原裝真實，因此如何找出方法讓人知道您是真正的原製品反而變得越來越重要。

5. Accessibility 隨時隨地都可以取得
擁有權是一個過時的財富表徵，尤其是數位化的產品，目前這種概念也推廣到
私人飛機及其他高價奢侈品。目前有許多網站替您儲存您的音樂、喜歡看的網
站、私人資訊，您可以隨時隨地上網取得。

6. Embodiment 親身實地的
音樂可以免費，但看Live演唱會要付錢，在家看DVD很便宜，但仍是有人願意付錢，跟一群人在電影院裡看電影。

7.Patronage 熱心支持者
這也是我一直相信的重要理念：人是善良的，每個人都願意幫忙支持藝術家、
音樂人、創作者、生意人，因為這種參與助人的感覺是我們人類的基本需求。
重要的是，我們要讓人們很便利輕易地參與，例如最近有越來越多的音樂人在
網路讓人隨意付任何金額就可以下載他們的音樂。

8.Findability 讓人看到您
越來越多人不在乎數位化的智慧財產，看不到的創世之作是一點價值都沒有
的。目前有太多的音樂、太多電影、太多傑出部落格都是免費的，因此如何讓
人看到，不但很重要而且有價值。

從Kevin Kelly的文章中我們可以看得出，未來需要不同的技能在一個〝免費〞的世界中生存，很自然的，〝分享（Abundance breeds a sharing mindset.） 〞及〝大器（Generosity）〞將是一個新的經營模式。Kevin Kelly再一次提醒我們〝注意力（Attention）〞是在這麼多免費〝拷貝（copies）〞中最重要的元素，因此有愛與信任的品牌、實虛通路、獨 特的廣告，仍是爭取注意力的方法之一。雖然Kevin Kelly的這八個原製性(Generatives)，只是對數位複製品有意義，但在目前實體產品越來越便宜的現實中，也越來越會需要運用這八個原製性的 觀點（例如：地圖、基因產品、無線上網、手機、小家電、藥品）。事實上成本已經趨近零（免費），一般我們買專利藥是在買Authenticity(真實 性)及 Immediacy (即時性)，學名藥（失去專利的藥）的成本是近於零的。

Kevin Kelly歡迎大家寫回應給他，您知道有多少人寫長篇大論的回應嗎？這就是Kevin Kelly吸引人的地方，他的目的就是要〝知識人〞來到他的網頁集體分享、集體辯證。我現在也正在思考以這八個原製性(Generatives)，創造出 一個實虛共存的新生意！

（轉載自朱先生在International Creative Business (ICB) 雜誌每月專欄）

家庭作業ASSIGNMENT
1. 您可以思考在您的創意文化事業中，能否包含了Kevin Kelly的八個原製性(Generative)在〝免費〞的競爭環境中，走自己的路！

2. http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2008/01/better_than_fre.php 上網看Kevin Kelly《Better than free》的完整文章，對數位經濟有興趣的人一定要認識這位大師，也歡迎e-mail與我分享您的學習及心得。

Added on 2009-10-28
我剛發現了這個Kevin Kelly的演講，有中文字幕。

Doing well while doing good

肯邦是我的第一家公司。每年都會舉辦一次美髮設計師節。2007年10月4日我參加第11屆肯邦設計師節，那是我最驕傲的一天。因為我知道一個公司是可以同時擁有成功與靈魂。我非常喜歡這首歌 “We bring beauty to the world” ，歌詞是由肯邦公司孫希均先生所做，主唱者是一群台灣設計師。

肯邦設計師節緣起 www.hairhelp.can.com.tw

肯邦公司為國家第四屆國家磐石獎的得主，其每年皆會舉行公益美髮設計師節活動，至今己?辦過10屆，回顧十多年前，當時的肯邦公司因體認到企業及產業界有義務對社會盡一己之力而開始帶動美髮人關懷公益、環保、人文藝術、教育…等不同的層面。肯邦明白美髮產業原本具有口語傳播之力量，我們更應藉由產業原有之特性，將真、善、美的事物讓更多人知道及參與。多年來的努力竟也匯集出一股不可小覷的力量，例如曾在1997年推廣乳癌防治，當時建立了100餘家美髮沙龍宣導站，並成功的讓10餘位民眾得以早期發現並獲得治療。

2007設計師節──環保動起來

今年肯邦更有感於地球溫室效應，已嚴重地 改變我們所處的環境及氣侯，我們有責任站出來身體力行，將環保確實落實在生活中，讓越多人知道且採取行動，就是為我們及後代子孫做最最大貢獻，這不僅是國 家和政府的責任，實際上這是我們所有人的責任。肯邦並非專業的環保團隊，但肯邦代表的是一群關心環境、社會公益的企業及個人。為了加強活動的專業度並擴大 影響層面，肯邦特別邀請「行政院環保署」為此次活動的上級指導單位，另外也結合長期推動環保的民間單位─荒 野保護協會的資源，尋求專業上的資源與協助。肯邦在推動這次的環保活動之後也立即獲得各界的迴響與認同，如美髮誌、誠品台北信義店、方思整合行銷、尚虹公 關、奧堤公關等單位相繼成為此次活動的協辦單位，各方資源因公益而結合，共同為此次的關懷行動付出心力。透過這次環保活動的舉行，有為數多達550名的愛心美髮人資助金錢，以表達他們對此次活動的支持。肯邦也公開宣布，這次活動所募集的贊助款，將撥一部分給予「荒野保護協會」，肯定該機構長期投注在環境保護上的心力，其餘款項將用來捐助「中華民國身心障礙藝文推廣協會」，藉此拋磚引玉，讓該協會在今後擁有更多資源，以持續協助國內眾多的身心障礙民眾。

Socially Responsible Consumerism (SRC); For-Profit Social Enterprise (From ICB Issue 2)

「企業，尤其是中小型私人企業，可能是能改變個人及社會的最有效組織。」朱平

企業的社會責任不只是關懷社會環境而已。企業最直接社會責任是：提供一個有意義、能成長的健康環境，讓所有利害關係人(stakeholders)都因為企業的經營理念、經營方式而開始往“正向循環”(positive spiral)。
台灣有97.8%的企業都是中小型私人企業，就業人數為765萬8千人。只要我們能啟發這些中小企業經營者，讓他們知道雖然他們沒有機會成為〈天下〉、 〈遠見〉雜誌中，最有社會責任(CSR)的名單之一；但他們其實是最能影響個人社會機夠組織的人。中小型私人企業最容易改變，因為只要經營者的觀念改變， 有勇氣、決心以及行動，整個企業就可以改變，而不必再為每季的股票價值而犧牲“做真實的自己”的人生價值觀。
「朱平先生您好！今天我買了ICB雜誌，看完了您的專欄有份衝動想要訴說???或許您也看出了我的迷惘???。」
「工作已經變成不得不做的事情，一切都是無彩色的。我覺得我設計、創作了好多垃圾???。」
「記得之前我立下志向說，我將來想做的工作要能帶給人們快樂與感動??。」
「I’m not afraid of making wrong decisions, but am afraid of spending too much time on trying and fooling around…..。」

以上是我收到的年輕讀者對我上次專欄〈有意義的活著或用力的活著〉所提出的迷惑以及想法。在我一一的回信中，我都強調：其實他們都已經有答案了，所需要的僅是勇氣和行動。這是他們必須要自己學的功課，沒有任何人可以替他們學。
我一直認為在未來﹝其實事實上已經發生了﹞，隨著非營利組織(NPO)以及非政府組織(NGO)的影響力越來越大，是時候讓我們思考營利社會企業(For Profit Social Enterprise)的可能性。
不管是U2的主唱Bono及DATA共同推出“Product RED”品牌﹝www.joinred.com﹞，跟時尚聯合，提升品牌形象；為The Global Fund募款，對抗愛滋貧窮，關懷世界；還是諾貝爾和平獎得主穆罕默德尤納斯跟法國食品公司Danone合作成立工司製造yogurt營養品，以解決印度 的貧窮〔http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune-article/2007/02/05/8399198 /index.htm〕，這都是一個重要的營利社會企業(For Profit Social Enterprise)里程碑。
我個人認為，營利社會企業(For Profit Social Enterprise)最重要的價值並不僅是因為這種社會企業會將利潤回饋給特定的被捐助者﹝環保、愛滋、流浪狗、文化表演藝術???﹞，其最大的價值， 是在能真正的提供在此社會企業工作的人，找到工作的意義以及生命的價值。我也相信在21世紀一些最有創意、最優秀的人都會主動尋求在這種社會企業中工作。

We Vote with What We Buy
我們每一次的購買行為，都是一次投票。要能讓社會企業成功，消費者的覺醒是先決條件，千萬不要低估了我們每個人的影響力。如果我們每花一塊錢，都不僅是購 買產品或服務而已，而是購買這產品或服務後面所代表的價值。那麼社會企業就能得到您的消費﹝投票﹞支持，而能產生利潤，並且將這些利潤投資回饋至特定的社 會公益團體。
我真正的夢想是，有一天這些社會企業會組織整合成一個生態系統(eco-system)。每個人跟企業都互相依賴(Inter-dependent)，互 相連結(Inter-connected)，不會受到惡質的零和競爭，成為企業經營的另一種模式，這世界也會因為這種生態系統而更好。

We Create Our Future Work
當我們每個人都知道自己是有能力來選擇哪一家企業值得您的投票時，就會有愈多的Social Enterprise生存下來。誰知道？有一天您可能會在這些社會企業工作。事實上，您是用您的消費行為創造您自己，甚至您的小孩未來的工作機會。
Every purchase decision is a vote of support. Your every decision tells people whom you support.

在下一期專欄，我希望能用開放式討論(Open Forum)來分享我們的學習與成長。煩請用email分享您們的挑戰與迷惑，我將在專欄中跟大家分享我的看法及建議。謝謝所有寫e-mail給我的朋 友，謝謝所有寫e-mail給我的朋友，讓我感受到您們的用心以及充滿智慧的問題。讓我也有機會再年輕一次。
我要再一次邀請所有讀者寫信給我，不管是問問題也好，或是有任何不同意見，我都期待與歡迎。畢竟，沒有互動就沒有參與，沒有參與就沒有擁有，唯有擁有，你才會真心改變。

家庭作業Home Assignment:

  1. 您是一個覺醒的消費者嗎？回顧過去一個月中，您買了甚麼東西？您決定購買的原因是便宜、折扣、方便、名人推薦，還是因為您願意花時間認識這企業，真心要支持這個企業所代表的價值而購買？

Be inspired, Get involved, Take action (from ICB Issue 3)

剛剛跟在美國的大女兒Candice通完電話，她告訴我她跟她妹妹Brandy都已經三個月不吃牛肉，豬肉，雞肉，羊肉。僅吃海鮮及蔬菜水果，我問 她們為什麼突然決定改變飲食的生活方式，是為了健康，環保，宗教的原因嗎？答案是：愛動物。我問她們為什麼仍吃海鮮呢？答案是：未來目標不吃海鮮，目前仍 吃。年青人有年青人的想法，我覺得也很好。因為她們有感動，有行動，支持自己的理念。也不擔心別人說“假道德”，“假慈悲”，“為德不卒”，想到，說到， 就做了。我恭喜她們兩個，在二十幾歲就開始改變生活方式，養成好的飲食習慣。
最近，我突然變得很受歡迎，收到許多ICB讀者的email。問我許多年青人都會有的問題，雖然我都一一回了email。但仍有許多我或是沒有答案，或是覺得我沒有資格做任何開示的問題。
其中最常問的問題是“創業”。“自己做老板，自由自在，做自己喜歡的事”，我在回信中都強烈暗示，不要急著創業，創業可能更不自由更沒時間，現在應該好好 問自己是不是僅在逃避困難，逃避責任。如果不能把目前的事弄好，寄望在自己創業時可以弄好，是不可能的。只要相信自己是可以創造自己命運，對自己負責，創 業或不創業都是自然演化而發生的。
我知道即使我在信中不鼓勵年青人冒然創業。（年青人應該花時間在學習技能，“經驗生活”。）但這種夢想自己有一天能做老板（不求人，不受氣）卻是每一個年青人在叛逆時期的最自然反應。
我是在三十八歲時才創業的，而且是在沒有預期之下創業的（Accidental Entrepreneur）因此想創業永遠不會太晚，重要的是您要非常了解自己，適不適合創業。
在ICB的讀者中，許多都是對創意文化產業有興趣的。如果在未來時機成熟想創業，我有四件事情分享。

1. Be Different 不一樣
不僅是 Be different，創造新的顧客，新的需求，新的類別 (New Category)，新的經營模式，更重要的是能改變再造原有的行業 (Re-Invent the Industry)
2. Be Authentic 做真實的自己
我最擔心看到年青人追逐名人，追逐偶像，追逐流行，追逐 趨勢，忘記了自己獨特願景及年青人應有的理想主義。只有做一個真實的自己 (不僅是最好) 才會有真的熱忱，正向的能量。
3. Be Resilient 韌性
因為堅持 ( persevere)是不夠的 ，重要的是從低潮中仍能保有“正向樂觀”的毅力，而能從新出發，這是所有創業者都有的特色。因為他們相信他們有能力創造自己的命運。
4. Higher Purpose 更高的目的
如何找到更高的目的？賺錢，有利潤，僅是有了氧氣能生存而已，問題是您生存下來的目的是什麼？這也是為什麼愈來愈多人在思考For-Profit Social Enterprise的原因。（ICB第二期我所談的主題）
我可以舉iPod, NIKE或eBay等案例，但都太遙遠，所以我舉兩個台灣最近的例子（不怕自賣自誇或廣告嫌疑）。
• 當包益民先生決定發行PPAPER雜誌時，他已決定改變台灣雜誌的設計風格，閱讀對象，訂價及通路。
• 當我在創立肯愛Nonzero非零餐廳時也已決定要改變傳統經營有機健康餐廳的模式！如何把設計帶進來，如何把cool帶進來，如何把零售帶進餐廳，如何 重新建立一個新的飲食文化，新的生活儀式，新的創意文化產業。更重要的是Nonzero非零必須要是我真實相信的經營理念。（有人要知道我為什麼要取 Nonzero非零為名字的原因嗎？可以email我。）
正如同我的兩個女兒一樣，當被啟發了，參與了，接下來就是行動。她們的決定不吃肉，包先生的PPAPER雜誌，我的肯夢Nonzero非零都是經過行動，改變才會發生的。至於會不會成功，就看每個人對成功的定義而決定了。
我要再一次邀請所有讀者寫信給我，不管是問問題也好，或是有任何不同意見，我都期待與歡迎。畢竟，沒有互動就沒有參與，沒有參與就沒有擁有，唯有擁有，你才會真心改變。

朱平
悅日人，漣漪人，生意人
23.7.2007