A Whole New Perspective of Leadership
ByIt seems so appropriate that I was reading Stanford University’s alumni magazine over this Thanksgiving holiday weekend(in the U.S.) and came across a wonderful article that I see directly related to a different perspective of leadership – making a difference. The article was called “Small Change – Big Payoff: Got 25 Bucks?” It has me very excited about a new way to make a difference all over the world. I suggest you go read it online now by clicking on the link above.
The article is about an amazing entrepreneurial venture, Kiva, that is dedicated to making a difference in third world countries one micro-business at a time by helping link small investors with third world entrepreneurs. It allows you and me to make a loan for as little as $25 for a specific business venture in another part of the world. It might be used to buy products at wholesale for resale, or buy goats to breed and sale, or purchase farm tools. You get to choose who and what kind of business your money helps. You also can track how the venture is going and see your money make a big difference in someone’s life. Usual payback period is 6-12 months. You don’t make any interest on this money, but who cares! You’re helping change someone’s life. When you get the loan repayed, and you might not, you can reinvest it in someone else.
What others are saying about www.Kiva.org :
‘Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.’
– BBC
‘If you’ve got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you’ve now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.’
– CNN Money
‘Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.’
– The Wall Street Journal
‘An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity…All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.’
– Entrepreneur Magazine
I’ve made loans of only $50 so far, but it is amazing how good I feel about it. I suggest you go register and make your first loan now. Where else can you make such a leveraged difference for $25!
In a place of so much gratitude for all our abundance during this Thanksgiving season,
Ed Oakley Enlightened Leadership Solutions