So I put on m thinking cap.  I plugged in my heart.  I opened up my mind.  I researched (a lot).  I realized I needed a very specific niche.  My previous ideas were too general.  I needed a lazar beam of focus.

I looked at websites like Aviva Fund and the Pepsi Refresh project and saw a huge number of applications from non-profits.  They all needed some kind of renovation, and they were all hoping they could get a grant to make it happen.

Why go for the grant, I thought?  I can show them how to do that.

That moment I was gifted with my niche. I would create a system to teach and empower non-profits to organize extreme renovations.

To that end, at the end of 2010 I shifted the focus of my efforts to work directly with other non-profits.

I believe it’s the best way to make a massive difference.  Non-profits teams generally have inspirational stories.  They’ve got a common vision.  They have already been working in the community.  But many of them can use help in making renovations happen, enabling them to have a deeper local impact.

I intend to help them.

This summers makeovers will therefore focus on partnering and working with Victoria-area non-profits.

In April I’ll be putting the word out there with the intent of working with several non-profits.  If you have any suggestions let me know by placing a comment below. If you’re reading this in your email box, go to the blog and leave a comment there.

Thanks so much!
Paul

I’ve also included a pic of our future sponsor “thank you” posters.

Remember, if you need a services or goods, we’ve got about 60 categories of sponsors–companies that make our community stronger. They need your support!

What’s been going on?

We’ll, life’s been busy! I’ve been researching and making business plans.  I’ve performed a couple of speeches, created and delivered a seminar, and emceed an great community event.  Plus, there been a slew of important personal stuff–not to mention that all important “got-to-make-a-living” thing.

You know how life can gather up and divide you’re attention.  Well, my life was doing that.

As I get older (and hopefully a little wiser) I’ve come to realize that I’m most effective when my attention is not divided; I get most of my big results when the whole train that is Paul Latour is going to the same destination.

With this in mind I’ve been clearing off the plate of my life for the last two months.  I’ve been finishing all my tasks and commitments.  Finally it’s as clear as it gets.

What does this mean?  It means I’m starting my makeover run. It means I’m got my eye focused on doing some radical renovations later this summer.  March 1st is the date I start taking outward action.  There’s about ten major steps between now and the finish line, but it’s time to see if the world will respond once more.

Wish me luck.

Paul

Learning

December has mainly been a learning month for me.  I’ve had the opportunity to learn marketing and communication from Brendan Burchard, a young guru in the industry.  So, I put several important tasks aside and jumped in.

Boy, I’m glad I did.

With the information I’ve assimulated I’ll save probably a year worth of effort.  I’ve learned many valuable lessons that will enable me to spread the message of what we’ve done and what we will do.

It deserves to be spread, don’t you think?  The way the Victoria community has come together is a true example of what can be done when like-minded people assemble with a orchestrated plan.  Our world needs more examples of this.  People need to know that things can get done–and that they can do it to.

Leadership

A big challenge is reaching people.  To reach people takes authentic and strategic marketing, which is what I’ve been learning (and will continue to learn).  Thanks Brendan.

This month I have, however, still managed to finish the online, catoragized, and searchable Hero Sponsor Directory, a directory of Victoria businesses that contribute to the strength of our community.  No one should underplay the importance of companies like the ones in this directory.  Business is the engine of our society.   As such it has enormous power to create change, good change.  But it takes people like us to make good choices about where we spend our money.

So if you care about the future of your community search out those companies that care, those businesses that support the little league, the local non-pofit fundraiser, the grassroots extreme makeover.

If we won’t be the leaders in this regard, who will be?  Relatively speaking, we are some of the most afluent people in the world.  If we won’t who will?

Next time you need a service or supply, check out the Hero Sponsor Directory.

Thoughts or questions?  Please leave a comment below.

Committed to making a difference,

Paul

One of the best ways to foster positive change in this world is to spend our money with responsible businesses that support community.  Business is the engine of the world.  As such it has tremendous power.  When we direct our spending towards change-makers in the business world we accelerate change in the world.

“Can’t afford it,” you say?  “I need to keep shopping at Walmart,” you say.

Well, I say, “If not us, then who?”

Comparatively speaking, we are in the top few percentage points of wealth in the world.  (Yes, even if you’re on welfare.)  Millions would be grateful for what we throw away.  If we can’t find a way spend wisely what chance does our world have?

In my opinion, we affluent westerners have an obligation to rise to a higher standard and make good choices.

So when you go to spend money consider how the business supports community.

Have a happy holidays,

Paul

Hero Business Directory

When creating any big project or program there is invariably a big dip.

The big dip is the part of the process when nothing seems to be happening, at least from an outsider’s perspective. This is when energy wains. This is when most get demoralized and quit. It is a time when faith and stick-to-it-ness are needed in spades.

In case you didn’t know, the Hero Work Society has been in the depths of the big dip for some time. At the moment the dip is so deep the entire society and program has distilled down to little old me. Right now I am all there is. But this is appropriate. There comes a time when the creator must drag, pull, cajole, and inspire the process through the depths of the dip.

The Upside

On the one hand this has been a difficult time with more than the occasional doubt running through my mind. On the other hand it has been a wonderful time, full of learning.

Being a growth-orientated person the upside far outweighs the downside. It’s been a huge opportunity to grow. As a result I’m a bigger, better person.

Right now I’m taking marketing courses from Brendan Burchard. In January I take a 5 week course on how to partner with corporations and other non-profits. Over the next two months I’ll learn video editing. In February I’ll perform in a speech contest through Toastmasters. The learning never ends. Like life, it’s ever-unfolding.

But there comes a time when the dip hits bottom and begins to rise.

The Flood

This time has come. I feel the tide turning. Like when the ocean switches from an ebb to a flood, the shift that’s happening is subtle and occurring in relative stillness. Yet I feel it in my heart. Yes, there is a long, long way to go with a huge task list that requires me to be dedicated, focused, and above all present, but nevertheless things are shifting from an ebb to a flood. Yeah!

I hope that in 2011 when the program swells across Victoria you’ll jump on the wave and have fun along with me.

Last year in November a local heroin named Savanta LaMar took Hero Work’s model and organized an extreme painting bee for Mitchell House (part of the Threshold Housing Society who helps youth at risk of homelessness).  Located in the South Jubilee neighbourhood of Victoria, Mitchell House has since enjoyed a solid footing in the community due in part to that weekend of extreme painting.

As an illustration of this local support the retail store Ten Thousand Villages in Oak Bay is donating 10% of all sales on Dec 11th to the cause.  So if you’re in need of some beautiful Christmas gifts drop by Ten Thousand Villages.  They sell carbon neutral products from over 30 countries with proceeds going directly to the artisans and villages.  A double whammy!

Ten Thousand Villages in Oak Bay

View Map.

A few days ago a friend (who is also a Victoria Hero Business and past volunteer) sent me a note.  Yvonne Moragne, owner of Dermal Integrity, wants to help some homeless people stay warm this winter.  Here’s part of her email to me:

“I work downtown and have become friendly with some of the regulars who live on our sidewalks. They are kind and really love their dogs. One in particular became laid off and lost his apartment. He does work on occasion in the labor pools doing odd jobs.  He doesn’t have any family. He reads Tom Clancy novels and shares everything with his dog. He had a terrible sleep last night (it was as low as -10c). His blanket has a hole in it. One of the law offices on Fort St. permits him to sleep in their doorway at night. He’s always polite and thoughtful. He has never asked me for any change or charity. It’s heartbreaking to think he is sleeping outside with his dog in this freezing weather.”

After discussions with friends, she has decided to start a Sub-Zero Sleeping Bag Project.  (Excellent idea, don’t you think?)  So… if any of you have some heart warming (and body warming) items you’d like to contribute, such as sleeping bags, jackets, mitts, hats, etc., drop them off at 1080 Meares Street.  I’ve dropped off a few of all these items.

FYI: They also welcome suggestions.  To contact Yvonne call 250-483-4760.

October was not a particularly exciting month.  The main accomplishment will rarely, if ever, been seen by anyone.  Nevertheless, it was essential.  I am no longer an accounting virgin.

You’d think the society books would have been done long ago.  But finding someone to volunteer to properly set up the society’s books proved challenging, and so the the task ended up falling to me.

However, I come from an artistic background (writing, sculpting, and painting).  I have never been an accountant or entrepreneur.  I’ve never known the difference between a vendor and a customer, or between a balance sheet and a general ledger.  Now I do.  And I’m glad for it.

At last, though, I get to turn my attention to a task I’ve been looking forward to: the videos.

I envision two core components to the Hero Work program.  One is community-action, and the second is storytelling.  I don’t think it is enough to simply do a community event.  We must also tell the story of the event so that people who weren’t there can connect with and be inspired by it, too.

Over the past two years I haven’t paid nearly enough attention to “how to tell the story” of a makeover.  I’ve come to realize that the importance of this aspect cannot be underestimated, which is why, sometime in November, I’ll be shifting nearly all of my attention over to video production.

I’ll keep you updated.

Committed to making a difference,

Paul

I’ve got to tell you, it hasn’t been particularly fun.  It’s kinda like cleaning the bathroom; you’re none too happy while you’re doing it, but once it’s done you’re happy.  Well, it’s done and I’m happy.  Forty hours of painstaking work later and all the society’s accounting systems are created.  The book are up to date and reconciled to the penny.

Nice!

I could not have predicted that the day I decided to help a friend by doing a makeover would send me down a road where I’d have to learn so many skills.  Life is a wondrous and unexpected journey.  Sometimes wrought with difficult, sometimes injected with triumph, but always darn interesting.