I realized that there are several things I wanted to communicate to my readers, and didn't want to post separate blogs. So, here's the list:
1. I have received an AMAZING array of Pay it Forward stories from my LinkedIn question and will be posting several in the next few days. Stay tuned.
2. With the great possibility of a check from the government *FAINT* in the near future - perhaps as early as May/June, I am seriously considering putting forth a Pay it Forward Challenge. In essence, take $50 of your check (found money is the term I would use) and Pay it Forward. Your decision on what that looks like. The best Pay it Forward application of the money will be awarded a prize (TBD).
I welcome comments on this, it's just a germ of an idea for now....
There are other thoughts banging around in my head, but I'll save them for next time.
Be safe, love strong, live your passion!
Paying it Forward,
Chuck
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
A True Example of Paying it Forward...
Some may think this is self-serving, but bear with me. I work for an amazing CEO, Ryan Allis, who is "decades younger" than I am, but none the less smarter and wiser.
His new book, Zero to One Million, has been published by McGraw-Hill. It's an awesome story of how he built our company, iContact, from 4 people to 80 in 4 years with more than $10 million in sales.
I was fortunate enough to come on board in July of 2006 as employee 27. It's been an amazing ride.
Ryan has no "agenda" other than a passion to change the world. He (as usual) says it better than I can:
I want you to know that this effort is not about me--it's about a passionate desire to change the world, raise money to reduce poverty in developing nations by improving access to education, technology, and healthcare, and share what I've learned while building iContact about entrepreneurship, opportunity evaluation, raising investment, venture capital, web marketing, product development, business planning, finding partners, building a sales team, management, hiring and retaining superstars, organizational behavior, and scaling a business with anyone that wants to learn while spreading a message of entrepreneurial possibility.
I would highly recommend Ryan's book. For more info on what Ryan's trying to accomplish head to:
www.ryanallis.com/blog
It will be worth the click!
His new book, Zero to One Million, has been published by McGraw-Hill. It's an awesome story of how he built our company, iContact, from 4 people to 80 in 4 years with more than $10 million in sales.
I was fortunate enough to come on board in July of 2006 as employee 27. It's been an amazing ride.
Ryan has no "agenda" other than a passion to change the world. He (as usual) says it better than I can:
I want you to know that this effort is not about me--it's about a passionate desire to change the world, raise money to reduce poverty in developing nations by improving access to education, technology, and healthcare, and share what I've learned while building iContact about entrepreneurship, opportunity evaluation, raising investment, venture capital, web marketing, product development, business planning, finding partners, building a sales team, management, hiring and retaining superstars, organizational behavior, and scaling a business with anyone that wants to learn while spreading a message of entrepreneurial possibility.
I would highly recommend Ryan's book. For more info on what Ryan's trying to accomplish head to:
www.ryanallis.com/blog
It will be worth the click!
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Leave it Better Initiative - a Pay if Forward Concept for travellers!
A dear friend, Lea Woodward is a LIP - not a sassy lady - but a Location Independent Professional. She travels the world whenever she wants, consulting as she goes via the net. A goal of my wife Stephanie and me is to follow her lead.
Lea is also an advocate of the Pay it Forward lifestyle. Her "take" on it is now coming to fruition, it's called the Leave it Better Initiative.
Here's Lea's description:
The Leave It Better initiative is an initiative inspired by our travels around the world.
It’s been created from the realisation that many of us are far more privileged than many people around the world who live in the places we visit and whose hospitality often makes our stay even more special.
This is our way of “giving back” and of saying “thank you”.
Every place we visit, we want to Leave It Better than when we arrived.
I would encourage you to check out Lea's LIB site and decide for yourself. I believe she's got the right idea!
http://locationindependent.com/blog/the-leave-it-better-initiative/
It's amazing to see the number of individuals who are coming forward on the Pay it Forward Chronicles. Comments are ALWAYS welcome!
Until next time,
Paying it Forward,
Chuck
Lea is also an advocate of the Pay it Forward lifestyle. Her "take" on it is now coming to fruition, it's called the Leave it Better Initiative.
Here's Lea's description:
The Leave It Better initiative is an initiative inspired by our travels around the world.
It’s been created from the realisation that many of us are far more privileged than many people around the world who live in the places we visit and whose hospitality often makes our stay even more special.
This is our way of “giving back” and of saying “thank you”.
Every place we visit, we want to Leave It Better than when we arrived.
I would encourage you to check out Lea's LIB site and decide for yourself. I believe she's got the right idea!
http://locationindependent.com/blog/the-leave-it-better-initiative/
It's amazing to see the number of individuals who are coming forward on the Pay it Forward Chronicles. Comments are ALWAYS welcome!
Until next time,
Paying it Forward,
Chuck
Saturday, January 19, 2008
LinkedIn Live Raleigh - A Pay It Forward Experience
On January 15, I hosted LinkedIn Live Raleigh, a chance for my first link connections (and a few others) to get together in person. 170 people showed up! This is the fourth event since July of 2007 when I conceived the idea, and it's grown steadily every event - from 50 to 75 to 125 to 170.
This event embodies my pay it forward philosophy. We don't charge a registration fee, the "snacks" are provided by sponsors and the place we meet (in this case an amazing restaurant called Gianni's and Giatano's) provides the space for fee.
Then there's the door prizes. This last round we had more than $750 in door prizes - all donated.
And that is where the best pay it forward story comes from today.
I arranged for Gianni's and Giatano's to provide two $25 gift certificates. When I gave them away that night I announced that this was the "Pay it Forward" door prize. One person would win both gift certificates.
The caveat? They had to "pay it forward" with one and give it to someone else. Not a spouse or relative but, as I suggested during the drawing, to someone who really needed it. "Perhaps," I pointed out, "to someone who's been out of work for a while."
The prize was awarded and I felt good about the concept. I felt BETTER when the person who won the gift certificates came up to me an hour later and reported he had already paid it forward -- to someone who'd been out of work so he could go to dinner.
Later, we gave out a $50 gift certificate to a local car dealer - for tune ups, oil changes, etc. The person who won it did not really need it, as it turns out. But more importantly, a woman standing next to him did.
Not realizing she had spoken out loud, she uttered: "Darn, I really needed that one, I have a Saturn!"
The pay it forward moment occured again, as the gentleman who won, having heard her, turned and gave the gift card to the Saturn owner, saying: "Here, I'm paying this forward!"
That is LinkedIn Live Raleigh - and I have more stories. Jobs found, business relationships started, friends for life made. Paying it Forward as we go.
What's your Pay it Forward story? I invite you to share in one of two ways:
1. Comment on this post and share your story.
2. Email me at thepayitforwardchronicles@gmail.com and I'll post the best ones.
I leave you this morning with this thought:
Paying it Forward is not difficult, in fact it takes very little thinking. So, go out today and find a way to make someone's weekend. Pay for a cop's coffee at Starbucks and thank them for what they do and tell them to stay safe. You get the idea.
Until next time,
Paying It Forward,
Chuck
Friday, January 18, 2008
A New Blog
Welcome to The Pay It Forward Chronicles.
If you already know me, the title needs no explanation. For those of you who don't know me, I invite you to visit my profile page.
The Pay It Forward Chronicles was born as a result of my efforts to live the Pay It Forward Life - giving "forward" to someone else when you receive a blessing.
I am an active LinkedIn power networker, with more than 4,300 first level connections to date. I always strive to help others and when I connect I ask them: "how can I be of service to you."
A wise friend, Dan Nelson, taught me it is easier (and much more rewarding) to bless instead of curse. Dan (and now I) truly believes that both come back on you. I would prefer to receive the blessings!
I am also creator and host of LinkedIn Live Raleigh - an in-person gathering of my first link connections that occurs every other month in the Raleigh/Durham, NC area. We have been fortunate enough to see LI Live grow from its first meeting of 50 people in July, 2007 to 170 at our last meeting that occurred this week (January 15).
This blog will offer advice on living the Pay it Forward Life, chronicle PIFL stories and a place where you can add your comments and stories, as well.
Paying it Forward,
Chuck
If you already know me, the title needs no explanation. For those of you who don't know me, I invite you to visit my profile page.
The Pay It Forward Chronicles was born as a result of my efforts to live the Pay It Forward Life - giving "forward" to someone else when you receive a blessing.
I am an active LinkedIn power networker, with more than 4,300 first level connections to date. I always strive to help others and when I connect I ask them: "how can I be of service to you."
A wise friend, Dan Nelson, taught me it is easier (and much more rewarding) to bless instead of curse. Dan (and now I) truly believes that both come back on you. I would prefer to receive the blessings!
I am also creator and host of LinkedIn Live Raleigh - an in-person gathering of my first link connections that occurs every other month in the Raleigh/Durham, NC area. We have been fortunate enough to see LI Live grow from its first meeting of 50 people in July, 2007 to 170 at our last meeting that occurred this week (January 15).
This blog will offer advice on living the Pay it Forward Life, chronicle PIFL stories and a place where you can add your comments and stories, as well.
Paying it Forward,
Chuck
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