Be unreasonable. : entrepreneurship

WASH SERIES: Can Entrepreneurs Make a Difference?

This is the second of a three-part series focusing on water sanitation and hygiene (WASH). If you haven't read the first-part click here.

The UN's Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, replaced the Millennium Development Goals which expired this year. The new goals aim to shape political policy globally for the next fifteen years. So what’s on the agenda post-2015?

The focus of this post is on goal number 6: “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”

Now that is one big, hairy problem.

If the world if to achieve this goal by 2030, then all of us are going to have to start looking differently at how we might tackle this issue.

According to WaterAid, there remains over 650 million people without access to safe water. This is closely linked to the issue of sanitation which effects 1 in 3 of the world’s population.

So is their growth for market-based solutions in this area?

Here is a list of 5 entrepreneurs looking at the WASH crisis:

1 1) DayOneResponse

Inspired by the earthquake in Haiti, Tricia Compas-Markman decided to create the DayOne Waterbag. The bag has been used in “disaster zones in 21 countries as an all-in-one solution to provide clean water and prevent water-borne diseases”.

Image credit: DayOne Response

2 2) LifeStraw

Lifestraw is a portable, compact high volume filter for camping, group hikes and expeditions. The straw makes water contaminated with bacteria, viruses and protozoa safe to drink. LifeStraw also ensure that one school child in a developing country receives safe drinking water for an entire school year with every product bought.

Image credit:matteroftrust

3) Who Gives A Crap

Filled with toilet-humour, Who Gives A Crap makes 100% recycled toilet paper and donate 50% of profits to build toilets in the developing world.

Image credit:ispyplumpie

4 4) Sarvajal

Sarvajal is an Indian company, whose name means water for all. In 2013, they launched a series of solar powered ATMs that dispense water. Sarvajal purifies ground water at local plants and then distributes the water through ATMs.

Image Credit: morningflash

5 5) NextDrop

Addressing the problem of a constant water supply in many South Asian nations, NextDrop offers “a text service that tells users exactly when the water will run each day.” Their customers are utility companies who pay to receive data from NextDrop allowing users to enjoy the service for free.

Image credit:Forbes

Do you know of more businesses tackling water, sanitation and hygiene issues? Share them on twitter @DanushiPeiris

Until next time,

Danushi

Sources:

http://www.afr.com/business/retail/ground-zero-feedback-helps-dayone-response-respond-to-disaster-20151006-gk269w

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/03/business/india-water-atm/

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/mar/22/social-enterprise-answer-access-water-ngo-business

22:01
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HOW TO GET THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD

career

Do you want to get paid to go on vacation?

In 2009, one man did exactly that. As part of a marketing campaign, Tourism Australia created ‘the best job in the world’. They called on applicants for a caretaker role on Hamilton Island. Englishman Ben Southall was lucky enough to snag the job which paid AUS $150,000 for six months in a rent-free villa.

As Anthony Hayes (Chief Executive of Tourism Queensland) explained, “We are looking for someone to tell the stories of the Great Barrier Reef and we have come up with what we think is the dream job”.

Tourism Australia ran this competition again in 2013, but this dream job seems just that: a dream.

So how do you get the best job in the world?

Figuring out the 'best' job in the world, is of course subjective.

What makes you tick?

Hamilton Island Image credit: Hamilton Island Media

Dr Sam Prince shares a story that I believe outlines everything you need to start living your dream.

The story is about Argentina, vintage cars and following your dreams.

This is set in a suburban car park where I was actually buying some groceries and putting it in the back of my car.

Next to my car was this old, vintage car and just next to this car, was this little old backpack and I thought that the backpack belonged to the car but I wasn’t quite sure. So I left a note which said that I had the backpack, give me a call if it’s yours… and so I took it.

Later that day I got a phone call and they said indeed it is my backpack, can you return it. So when I came back to return the backpack,this guy comes out from nowhere and says “Hi! My name is Herman and this, pointing to his wife, is my wife Candy and my dream is to take that vintage car from Argentina to Alaska”. And I thought, wow! What an amazing way to introduce yourself.

And I said you know I’d love to take you out to dinner and learn more about you and your life. And so he told me about this epic journey. He actually completed his dream of travelling from Argentina to Alaska.

And I asked him probably the same questions that you’d ask him, if you were sitting across the table from him at dinner. I said how did you do it? Did you have a lot of money? And he said "no". I said you must be like an adventurer, wrestling alligators with your bare hands. And he said "err no". I said,

"Well how did you do it?” “How did you get through this with no money, no shelter and no experience and he said,

"simple… whenever I came across a stranger along the way I’d say, Hi, my name’s Herman and his is my wife Candy and my dream is to take this vintage car from Argentina to Alaska."

There’s something very powerful about that. When you actually say this, people who are not chasing their dreams want to live vicariously through you and are willing to help you in any way. Because, Herman and his wife Candy did get help, all across the Americas until they achieved their dream.

Herman's car crossing the Amazon river Image: Herman

That is how you get the best job in the world.

Herman had a powerful vision and limited resources but was able to enrol others in his idea. Some may call him a leader or an entrepreneur. I believe Herman is both of those things. But, he is also just another human being in some ways. Every single one of us has dreams, goals and aspirations.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, share them.

Until next time,

Danushi

NB: Also, if tourism Australia wants to run this competition again, consider this my formal application.

05:25
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Why You Should Cold-Email

cold email

Aristotle is famously quoted as saying:

‘the more you know, the more you know you don’t know’.

Studying a university degree called ‘Global Challenges’, has taught me that it is most certainly impossible to solve any large problem by yourself. Interdisciplinary action and a collaborative approach is key to coping with complex problems such as our rapidly changing climate.

On a much smaller scale however, I’ve noticed that reaching out to people for help on a personal level is just as important.

Whether it is finding internships or getting business advice, cold-emailing is a skill I’m looking to master.

I’ve successfully used this method in the past to source mentors and conduct interviews, but let’s face it with what to many seem like ever-filling inboxes, the struggle is real.

How can a cold-email standout?

Here is what I’ve learnt so far:

1) Google is your best friend

Before emailing the person, do a quick google search. Try and find out as much information about them as possible and make your email more personal. Also, they probably won’t appreciate you asking questions that are already available online. By doing a little background research you’re showing a genuine interest in seeking this person’s expertise.

2) Get the Subject Right

From personal experience, I usually scan my inbox when I have a lot of emails and first open those that catch my interest before moving on to the rest. Make sure you’re cold-email doesn’t go unread. Having an intriguing subject to your email can make all the difference.

3) Make it personal

If you’ve heard the person you’re emailing speak or have ready their book – mention it. Creating any sort of personal element to the email increases the likelihood of someone responding.

4) Avoid links where possible

Links can provide useful information but are sometimes necessary to avoid a lengthy e-mail. Exclude links where possible to avoid the ‘deposit money in my Nigerian bank account’ scenario. The fact is this person doesn’t know you and is sensible if they err on the side of caution.

5) Follow-up

I recently wrote an e-mail to an individual I truly admire. I wasn’t able to get to them directly but after a few follow-up attempts I ended up getting a response from the individual’s secretary. I realised that the opportunity probably wasn’t right for me at this point in my career but was grateful for a response.

6) Express Gratitude

Pretty simple really. Well done on plucking up the courage to cold-email someone. It is likely that this person is extremely busy and someone you admire/respect in some way. Make sure you let them know that you appreciate their help.

Have you tried cold-emailing before? What’s worked for you?

Let me know in the comments below.

Image credit:http://mybarnyardview.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/youve-got-mail.html

Until next time,