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Phase: Concepting

Name and Frame

Yearly rewards ceremonies, under different headings that companies can use to show their hard work, and those wanting the support can contact for idea's on how the companies help.

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Written by DeletedUser

This is my first time posting, so it may bit a little 'raw'.

I like having something tangible to say where I have achieved, and it’s not too farfetched to imagine businesses’ would feel the same. There are so many things that could be improved upon in this world, that sometimes it’s a problem with where to start, so by challenging the achievements into area's would help raise awareness of a variety of the issues.

ie. Best Contribution to Sustainability 2012, Village
Builder of the Year. Being held every year will make people want to do better, can be evolved as new issues come on board and are identified, separated into topics such as housing, food and so on.

Applications can be made via the companies or nominated and there could be public voting on the most inspiring stories. Also, it could help make the two ends meet, those wanting the help and those wanting to help, with a forum for sponsorship made available world wide.

How does your concept celebrate, identify or inspire for-profit businesses that act as agents of world benefit?

Many for-profit businesses, especially the larger multinational companies already have a will to help. Barclay's and Coventry Building Society for example have strong ethics on fundraising and volunteering and actually include it in the yearly appraisals for colleagues. Giving the businesses something to work towards, with idea’s being fed through the scheme connecting the support groups, and rewards to be proud of. Having yearly rewards where everyone can get involved in all the inspiring stories will help propagate more of a culture of optimism and engagement with employers. Also, with voting, many businesses will get their names out even if only one company wins. Of course, ‘doing well’ would be subjective, and some companies may find themselves begrudged anyway, (e.g. banks) but this may help rebuild relationships with consumers and clients.

How will your concept help us create or leverage stories of world benefit that are sticky and shareable?

With different areas of awards, it would help to identify would really helps, and what people are really impressed to see change in. ‘Money Active’ type campaigns from banks (various schemes are available where banks will educate [normally] young adults in various basic financial models, e.g. budgeting) are using the specialised skills in the business to make an impact for change. These small, specialised support ideals can be more effective than good-willed but half-hearted projects. As there are awards to be won in different area’s businesses can focus on what they think they can really make an impact on. The issues there is they will need encouragement to buy into the idea, I would hope positive publicity would be enough, as its more viral.

What will it take to scale your concept so that its reach is global and widespread?

Media will play a big role in getting the word out, however there will be a chain of word of mouth by those who have been impacted by the changes. There would need to be hefty sponsorship in arranging the whole idea, and the businesses would need to be impressed enough with the arrangements, beyond and philanthropic conscience to actively promote the ideals within itself. The background intention would be to channel the projects, and to show a friendly face of the businesses involved. It’s all too easy to name and shame, but the idea is to be catchy, accessible and memorable.

Inspired by (1)

The World Benefit Innovation Tournament - Creating value from a box of rubberbands
The World Benefit Innovation Tournament - Creating value from a box of rubberbands

This inspired (1)

Wiki for Business World Benefit (UPDATED: 11/16/2012)
Wiki for Business World Benefit (UPDATED: 11/16/2012)

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Photo of Ashley Jablow
Team

Hi Hannah, welcome to OpenIDEO and congrats on joining our conversation!

Your idea is actually right on track: our challenge sponsor (the Fowler Center for Sustainable Value at Case Wester Reserve University) is actually considering how they might prototype an award very much like this. To help them with their thinking, maybe you could flesh your idea out a bit more in relation to questions like:
- how would companies be or get nominated for this award?
- what would motivate or inspire companies to care about being part of this award process?
- what criteria might a selection committee use to identify the 'best' business examples from the previous year?

I'm looking forward to hearing what you come up with, and I know our sponsor is too!

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Team

DeletedUser

Hi Hannah, Ashley: Building on both this concept & the Tech Awards inspiration—there could be 2 ways that a company gets nominated—one, by an online application process (like the Tech Awards) or can be nominated by individuals (a form on the Awards website). Awards could be granted in 4-5 categories by impact areas like Environment, Education, Youth, etc. The judging criteria could be based on teasing out what ‘world benefit’ means/entails. For example: Community impact/measurable benefit, Net new knowledge/abilities created, Scalability, Sustainability, Ecological Footprint and Innovation (does the initiative create a new technology, service or process).

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Photo of Ashley Jablow
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Great builds Shivani! :)

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