A feminine response to the GFC (and a message of hope)

Posted on | December 17, 2010 |

ted-conference-halla This post has absolutely nothing to do with Digital Marketing and everything to do with running business by a set of well articulated and deeply-held Values. It is also a message of hope for all of us that believe business can be a valuable contributor to our communities, society and our planet.

Halla Tomasdottir calls it ‘Good Business’ and she is my hero. Halla is co-founder of financial services provider Audur Capital, she recently gave a talk at a TEDWomen (do we really need TEDWomen?) conference in Washington, DC. Her talk reflected upon the 4 specific “feminine” values that her company applies to financial risk, and how these women’s values are key to solving Iceland’s economic crisis.

Audur Capital’s values include Risk Awareness, Straight Talk, Emotional Capital, and Profit with Principles. The company’s approach appears to be working and Tomasdottir believes that these values could help solve the economic crisis in Iceland with the correct balance.

In Spring 2007, Tomasdottir left her position as managing director of the Iceland’s Chamber of Commerce to setup Audur Capital with her business partner, Kristin Petursdottir. They both wanted to bring greater diversity, social responsibility, and “feminine values” to the financial services industry.

I hope her TED Talk (only 9 minutes and worth every one of them) will inspire you the way it has me, we can do both ‘good’ and ‘business’, in my heart I know this, the key is being clear about the Values that drive you and your business. Worth reflecting on for a 2011 filled with Good Business.