The Driving Force: Don’t Run Your Business Without It

Last week, the NY Times published a popular article called On to Plan B: Starting a Business. The piece talked about people they called accidental entrepreneurs, folks who had lost their jobs and decided to go out on their own. The story was illustrated with a photograph of one such entrepreneur, Lisa Marie Grillos, who, along with her brother started a business making chic bags for bicyclers. The bags are roomy enough to hold a wallet, keys and a cellphone and hook over the bar on the bike. In many ways, the idea seems so simple, obvious even, but I’d never seen such a thing.

Those bags–and thousands of other good business ideas–seem to be answers to the question that’s been the theme of this blog all month: How Can I Make it Better? It’s a question that calls the creative spirit into action. It certainly is the driving force for inventors and designers. But it doesn’t stop there.

I’ve been quietly studying the most interesting people that I follow on Twitter. Every last one of them seems to be passionate about making things better for their customers and for their followers on Twitter. They pass along useful links, offer encouragement, and enthusiastically rave about the success of their friends. It’s a striking contrast to the folks I see on the news ranting at public forums and rallys. It bears no resemblance to the nasty comments left anonymously on blogs or YouTube.

I’m more convinced than ever that leaving it better than they found it is the driving force behind the kinds of businesses I admire. One of those businesses is Innocent Drinks, the UK smoothie makers. Ever since I discovered them, I’ve eagerly awaited their funny weekly mailings and visit their Web site from time to time to see what’s new at Fruit Towers, their headquarters.

The other day, I received an e-mail from Cheryl Kempton, a Minnesotan-turned-Londoner, alerting me to a surprise she had sent my way. A few days later, I opened my mailbox and found a package wrapper from an Innocent Drinks veg pot. Cheryl knew I would be amused by their clever label copy. She was right.

Then Sandy Dempsey posted a terrific YouTube video of one of Innocent Drinks’ founders, Richard Reed, talking about Integrity in Business. I urge you to spend 9 minutes watching his inspiring talk about what drives this innovative company.

Then get up and make something better.