Monthly Archives: September 2019

Bits & thoughts from bits19: What can corporations learn from startups?

I am impressed by the deep and clear sense of purpose I heard startup founders at bits19 expressing.

Founders start with the question: “What impact do I want to make, for whom/what do I want to make a difference?” and then try to find solutions. The organization they build is a “means for the purpose”. Their vision guides their work.

People like Elsa Bernadotte perfectly incorporate that spirit. She started by asking herself the question: “How can we stop food wastage?”. Her answer: by founding the startup Karma. https://new.karma.life/ to deliver on her mission.

It’s this clarity of purpose that gives founders their incredible energy, determination and courage to work day and night – with #passion and their ultimate goal in mind.

In many bigger corporations leaders have lost this focus. We stopped asking ourselves about the collective purpose of our work and may loose sight of the collective impact we are aiming at having.

Start to think like a founder. Ask yourself: What impact do I want to make?

Impact includes the word Act

IMPACT includes the word ACT, as the founders of Bits & Pretzels – Felix Haas, Bernd Storm van’s Gravesande and Andy Bruckschloegl – pointed out during their opening speech at Bits19

“ImpActing” includes two dimensions for me:

1. “Acting” as a LEADER: Actions speak louder than words. Truly, our actions make a difference and I encourage you to “walk the talk” and take bold decisions.

2. “Being” a leader: Your mood, your attitude, your (un)conscious behaviours – they impact your surroundings, whether in a positive or negative way. You communicate, even when you don’t intend to. Silence is communication, too. You are casting a shadow – the “shadow of a leader”.

Thus: Be conscious of how you ARE in the moment, check if you are sending the messages you want – and spreading the SPIRIT needed to make a difference.