Stories & Resources
The DO is made up of an astounding global community of top leaders, industry experts, young innovators and social entrepreneurs. We’ve captured just some of their stories here alongside our tools and methodology to empower you to keep on DOing.
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Case Studies
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Having built and led thriving Learning & Development teams in the US with adidas and facilitated major leadership development programs around the world, Hauke Stachow, Senior Program Manager at The DO, is excited to share his thinking behind Upskill.
In our partnership with Count Us In, The DO team felt inspired by the 16 steps towards climate actions and has tracked how we incorporate them into our own lives. Here is what some of The DO team members have been trying and their tips for a more climate friendly lifestyle.
How does the next generation of graduates and young employees approach their working lives? What are their expectations, fears and hopes? We have asked our intern and climate action community manager Oskar to answer these questions. Here’s what he and his peers have to say!
In collaboration with Count Us In and the UK High Level Champions for COP26, we’re running a set of Innovation Awards with a cash prize of €2,000 to put the best ideas around climate action into action. Apply until 31st of August!
Artist, activist, writer and communications & community manager at Be The Earth Foundation, Anne Rammi, shares her inspiration, passion and wisdom around regenerative food and the powerful tool for change that it is.
A tool that helps you first identify the different mindsets within your organization before you go about shifting them.
Introducing the our approach to peer coaching to help you mobilize your employees.
Introducing the Connection Circle tool to help you visualize the connections in your network.
Young Champions of the Earth Venture Program with UN Environment
How the Bonprix IT team found and put their purpose into action
Håkan Nordkvist is Head of Sustainability Innovation at Ingka Group (the largest IKEA franchisee, operating 367 IKEA stores in 30 markets). From building BILLY bookshelves in the 90’s to innovating and building sustainable business opportunities, Håkan is a key figure in purposeful retail around the world. Discover all about his beginnings, his current projects such as the solar panel initiative, developing new circular business models for IKEA and a whole lot more.
Oliver Lange started working at H&M eight years ago as a Store Manager and is now head of the H&M Lab Germany, designed to look into disruptive innovations within the fashion industry. With his many years of experience in retail, Oliver has plenty of insight regarding the digitalization of the fashion industry.
In this series, social innovation strategist, Joi M Sears, breaks down the mega trends that are shaping the future of sustainable, Purposeful Retail.
To be Earth’s most customer-centric company is Amazon’s purpose and it shines through in everything they do. We spoke to Florian Baumgartner, Director Consumables, Amazon Germany, about the company’s approach to Purposeful Retail, observing consistent factors over trends, and how their obsession with pleasing their customers takes form.
Founder and CEO of GDR Creative Intelligence, Kate Ancketill has consulted on best practice and strategy in retail, brands and hospitality for 20 years, working with clients like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, P&G, Hilton and Tesco.
H&M Group Chief Operating Officer Helena Helmersson has worked her way up in the H&M Group since 1997 (Update: in January 2020, she was announced as CEO of the group). Throughout the years, she has developed great loyalty for the company, and also gained valuable insights into how a modern, agile supply chain is set up, as well as what the future of retail will entail.
In this series, social innovation strategist and Free People International founder Joi M Sears, breaks down the mega trends that are shaping the future of sustainable Purposeful Retail.
Reflecting on the Business Roundtable in August, Sayo Ayodele, Partner at Leader’s Quest, shares her thoughts on the importance of creating value for all stakeholders, as opposed to just shareholders and profit. Sayo’s key takeaways include deep listening, embracing complexity, courageous leadership, and a networked ecosystem.
As a purposeful organization, establishing a truly networked ecosystem can only come about with a shared vision, values and unifying principles. Marwa Farouq, Vice President People, Organization and Culture at Teach For All, explains how collectively dismantling the organizational hierarchy has had immense impact across their global network.
How social initiatives created by local store teams at the H&M Group started a global movement for a better future
How can we talk less and DO more? Eva Vander Giessen, Program & Community Manager at The DO School, looks to her network for inspiration around some of the green initiatives that they’re bravely pushing forward.
Purpose, the motor of organizational transformation: we spoke with Yosi Sergant, Chief Cultural Organizer of TaskForce and Expert at The DO School, to discuss the role of culture in mobilizing employees to drive purposeful DOing.
Scott Goldner, Director of Individual at The DO School, reflects on how over the past 25 years in leadership and training he’s learned that the key ingredient of effective leadership is culture – particularly a culture of quality collaboration and ongoing learning.
Silvia Hernandez, GSA Future of Work Now Leader at EY, highlights the value and impact of human capital as #WeEmerge from this crisis and begin to embrace the ‘new normal’.
Multidisciplinary researcher Laurence Heijbroek shares his [UK-based] perspective on shaping the “new normal”, the drawbacks of digitalisation, and building social resilience for the future.
Kaya Dorey, a member of The DO School community, is the UN Environment Young Champion of the Earth for North America. She founded NOVEL SUPPLY CO, a conscious and eco-friendly apparel brand based in Vancouver. Kaya introduces us to NOVEL SUPPLY CO and other changemakers that are making waves in the fashion and retail industry.
Having worked in the automotive industry for over 35 years, Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of BMW AG’s Board of Management, was brought up in the age of the Faster, Higher, Farther mantra. Today, when that mantra has lost all meaning, Peter uses purpose as his orientation guideline in both his personal and professional life and throughout his mentoring efforts.
Amy DeTavis, Director of Innovation at The DO School, poses the question: How can #WeEmerge from this crisis and operate from a place of purpose rather than simply just profit? Read on to find out more.
Like you, we don’t believe in simply reacting to change; we believe in being part of it. From leadership to innovation, our programs equip individuals at all levels with the skills and mindsets to turn ideas into action. Learn by DOing – and contribute to a future that’s more sustainable, more resilient and more inclusive.
Becoming a great DOer means coming together in very diverse groups in a way that fosters trust, inspires collaboration, and creates buy-in.
Purpose is a way to empower you and your people to work together differently, and have a positive impact on your customers and the world.
Case Studies
Across different generations, there is a lot of discussion around “the youth”. Will they be able to find solutions to current topics and should they be left alone trying to do so? We believe: younger generations bring a multitude of ideas, interesting questions and important thoughts – however, they do need guidance, orientation and support in developing them. That is what we at The DO School aim to provide with our 24YOU youth development program. In this monthly article series, Alexander, Head of 24YOU, will explore his take on these big questions.
The Six Building Blocks of a Purposeful Organization are concepts designed to help forward-facing businesses foster success and overcome unexpected challenges.
Co-creation is the application of diverse talent to solve complicated problems and drive innovation.
Innovation Consultant Amalee Nsour shares her experiences working with the World Food Programme in Jordan on innovation in food security through blockchain and more. Find more from the World Food Programme on Twitter.
Writer and researcher Beatrice Francesca Orante shares her thoughts on what public sector innovation looks like during times of crisis.
After leading several successful transformations in Italy, Corrado Passera founded illimity with the aim of identifying and supporting innovative businesses that would be otherwise left without financing. With a wealth of insight on authentic and responsible transformation, Corrado provides insight on what it takes to deliver as a Purposeful Organization.
Fostering collaboration and co-creation as key leadership skills
Introducing the Stakeholder Mapping tool to help you engage your community.
Introducing the our approach to ideation and getting unstuck.
The Speed DOing activity is great for groups or individuals that are struggling to think outside the box or break out of normal routine.
Stories
In our exploration of jobs and opportunities for the next generation, we also wanted to get our community’s perspective. Mike Mulure, social entrepreneur and DOx founder in Nairobi, has been training and working with young people in Kenya for years. Here’s what he has to say.
In order for your team to get behind a new project or initiative, you need to take them along with you on the journey by building a movement.
Tools