The WorldBlu Blog

Hey everybody! There’s been a ton going on here in WorldBlu-land and I thought you might like an update. My buddy Cameron Martindell knows how busy I am but also reminded me that every post doesn’t have to be uber-deep and that you all might like to just know what’s going on. So thanks Cam for the nudge. Here’s a quick update:

As I write this I’m jammin to Earth, Wind, and Fire and Erasure (don’t laugh!) on my iPod while I fly from Atlanta to San Francisco. This week is our second of three WorldBlu Council meetings, a new thing we launched last November. The WorldBlu Council is a mastermind group for the CEOs of WorldBlu List companies and is a place where the best of the best can come together to share their democratic practices, talk through challenges and be a support and community for one another. In November we had our first WorldBlu Council meeting at Continuum, the design and innovation studio based in Boston. Later this week we’ll be meeting at the very cool Linden Lab (makers of Second Life).

We have a fantastic group of CEOs coming and even though our sessions are closed and confidential, like last time I will share some highlights afterwards. This will be my third trip out to Linden Lab in the last year. Each time I gain more and more respect for the way Philip Rosedale is running Linden Lab democratically. It’s an amazing example about the power of a fully empowered workforce to develop a very innovative and provocative product.

Our meeting is on Thursday and Friday, so during the rest of the week I’ll be meeting with some very cool folks. On Tuesday I’ll meet with Nathan Shedroff, courtesy of our mutual friend, Susan Goldstein. Nathan is the author of Experience Design and the book, Design is the Problem… and the Solution: The future of design must be sustainable and the head of the MBA in Design Strategy program at the California College of the Arts. I continue to be really into exploring the relationship between design and the future of business so I’m really looking forward to the conversation with Nathan.

Also on this theme, just last week I was in New York City scoping out cool places and partnerships for our next WorldBlu Live conference happening Oct. 16-17th. We’ve got some rad things in the works including partnerships with those on the cutting edge of business and design thinking, so stay tuned!

While in NYC I also got to hang with my very good friend Sarah Endline, CEO of Sweet Riot. We had dinner one night with our new friend Rachel Stern, CEO of Ground Report. Rachel is doing a fantastic job of democratizing the media with citizen journalism.

Back to my trip to SF – So I’m meeting with Nathan and I’m also meeting with my visionary new friend, Ingrid Vandervelt, CEO of Club E Network and host of a show on CNBC called, “American Made.” Ingrid is also a part of a small group of female entrepreneurs, which I am also a part of as well called the Billionaire Girls Club (inspired by Jon Bischke, co-founder of EduFire. Thanks Jon!) Our goal is to create enough value for the world that as a by-product we create billion-dollars businesses to inspire and help the world in our chosen areas of focus. It’s a lofty goal, but it’s fun and also purpose-driven for each one of us. Ingrid and I have talked several times over the phone but this will be the first time we get to meet in person, so I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve also agreed to launch and be the president the first Club E chapter in Atlanta where I now live, so if you’re an entrepreneur in Atlanta, let me know! I plan to launch the chapter in May.

I’m also meeting with quantum physicist Laurence Doyle. Laurance was one of my undergrad professors and is largely responsible for my love of democracy. When I was in college, Laurance recommended that I read Jack Weatherford’s book, Indian Givers. Weatherford’s book is a fantastic read focused on the fact that the American model of democracy came from the Iroquois, not the Greeks as many assume.

While in San Fran I’m also meeting with wonderful Jeff Klein, who is the executive director of FLOW, an organization John Mackey, founder of Whole Foods, started to raise awareness about “conscious capitalism.” There is a lot in common between WorldBlu and FLOW, so I’m looking forward to the conversation with him.

I also get to see my new friend Greg Scott who is the founder and CEO of Jiibe while in SF. Greg is flying in from Vancouver and will be joining us at the WorldBlu Council meeting. He’s also the newest member of the WorldBlu Global Advisory Board. Also joining us at the WorldBlu Council meeting is the magnificent Mark Dowds, co-founder of CreationStep and BrainPark. Mark, who is originally from Ireland, is flying in from Toronto and is bound to be the life of the WorldBlu council meeting!

So it’s a really full active for me (as always!) Lots of travel and lots of good stuff being planned for 2008. Meanwhile, companies all over the world are in the process of applying for the second annual WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces 2008. We anticipate a stellar list so stay tuned!

I trust all is going well for each of you. Keep the ideas, links, articles, emails, and messages and inspiration coming. I appreciate it so much!

~ t ☺