Matthew’s Blog

Three years ago at the Toronto Film Fest I saw a delightful film called Millions - A magically realism story as only a 7 year old can see it - about ethics, love, being human, and fortune in more ways than one. I just picked it up on dvd and remembered just how charming it was and realized I never posted the review of it.

Want a magical and lift your spirits movie? Rent or Buy Millions. This was one of my favorite movies of the Toronto Film Festival that year. “A heartwarming story of two little boys, faith, miracles . . . a whole lot of money.” It is a charming story told from the perspective of Damian, a 7-year old boy, who uses imagination, fantasy and faith to make sense of his confusing world. When upon receiving a gift from the sky of a suitcase full of cash he and his practical 9 year old brother need to decide what to do with it. The catch, they have seven days before the money becomes worthless as the British pound sterling transitions to euros. This is not a predictable movie, perhaps the final outcome and moral but how they get there is full of unexpected twists, gotcha moments, originality, mysticism, and heartwarming spirit. A truly lovely film. The score is wonderful, the setting is lush and green, and the little actors are enchanting. You won’t regret it.

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3734372633/

PS Keep an eye out for some really cool halos.

My work with Eat Your Elephant on Integrated Planning has made it even more clear that visions are not enough and strategic plans are not enough. All too often business planning stops at these or at strategic goals. That is not enough. Below is my latest video for Eat Your Elephant, introducing Integrated Planning and the impact of connecting head and heart in the process.

Book: Raising the Bar: The story of Clif Bar Inc. : Integrity and Passion In Life and Business
A journey toward sustaining your business, brand, people, community, and the planet.
- by Gary Erickson (founder of Clif Bar) with Lois Lorentzen.

As some of you know I have named the hunger of one of my bigger games - Sustainable Business.  Last Summer after viewing the movie  “The Corporation”, which is out on DVD now, was inspired by what could be and an awakening to how much we really don’t know as a culture of why things are the way they are.   In addition to being inspired, I found a hero/mentor in Ray Anderson, CEO of Interface (http://www.interface.com).  Since then I have been collecting and searching for information about people and companies truly working toward sustainable business.

My mother put me on to the Clif Story while she was out in California last month and as intention and creating my day would have it, lo and behold I found this book at the library in the new book section.

It’s a gripper.   It is an amazing and inspiring story about both about Clif Bar Inc. and its founder Gary Erickson.  Gary is a cyclist baker turned 25% growth business owner to borderline pauper and finally a pioneer in the world of sustainable business.  This is a very readable book.  Everything from a how to of working with funding sources to bicycle trips in the Alps to ecological business to Jazz trumpeting to hand-to-mouth existence.   It combines just the right mix of personal story and history with business models and savvy insight.

The story begins with Gary making an unconventional decision.  On the day of the $60million sale of Clif he follows his gut and chooses to go for a walk.   Upon his return he tells his partner to send the buyers home which begins the middle of this roller coaster “white road” story.   There is this brilliant chapter where he describes the “red road and white road” trekking to business theory and what it takes to be on either path.   Red roads on the map are the major highways, the fast and efficient routes between major cities and towns.   White roads are the far less direct and often more challenging routes which offer unparalleled views, joy, and direct contact with people.  The White Road is about soul and passion.  ”Stay focused on the quality of the journey, rather than the destination, and the rewards are already in your hands.” (Anon. reviewer of the book)

This is a passionate, inspiring, heart-pumping, and educational frontier book on what it does and will take to stay in integrity so that you can build sustainable business, brand, people, community and planet.  It is a must read for anyone on the sustainable business path.

I’ve been doing “vision” videos for several of the projects I have been working on. The first is for Eat Your Elephant. This fun little vid talks about taking the first steps toward your dream and invites you to come make it real at one of the One Day Public Retreats at Eat Your Elephant. The next retreat being May 10th - Register today.

Have a dream? Make it happen. Eat Your Elephant