Quantifying Generosity- the 1% solution
by Amber Pechin | Mar 3, 2019 | Event, Community | 0 comments
The world's most generous community for entrepreneurs
We've all heard it, read it and even say it. But what does "most generous" mean? More generous than who? How do you measure generosity? After all, what's generous to one person isn't necessarily generous to the next. Is generosity measured in dollars? In equity? In hours? Or is generosity found in conversations, encouragement, information and connections?
Or is generosity all of the above?
If that is the case, how is that generosity quantified? When measuring, what amount of generosity can be expected from solopreneurs or a startup with three employees and little to no profit, versus an enterprise level business with hundreds of employees?
If we are going to continue to build PHX into a diverse entrepreneurial hub, where innovation and ideas thrive — generosity is a key ingredient. We also know PHX entrepreneurs are incredibly generous already. But are we "the most" generous? How do you quantify "most?"
All of the members of the core planning team have experienced the generosity that connects us as individuals and businesses across the Valley. That generosity is one of the reasons we've spent the last six months volunteering to build PHX SUW 2019, to give back to a community we've been benefited from, believe in and want to help make it a little better.
Any person who attends SUW 2019 is a beneficiary of the hours and hours of planning, organizing, creative and strategic time donated to build this event, given by lots of people and organizations all doing a little bit. Sponsors have donated money or other resources. Mentors and speakers have donated knowledge and are investing in attendees.
You, as an attendee, are giving back by showing up, talking to other entrepreneurs as you build relationships and connections during the week, as well as lending your support to speakers as they present. All that generosity adds up to great big things, for individuals, companies, and PHX at large. It's how we can Thrive Together.
We know we have something different here in PHX. Something that isn't the same in other cities and in other ecosystems. We don't need to establish ourselves as the next <insert another tech city> or call ourselves the "Silicon Desert." We are PHX.
What is the difference? Generosity.
What does generosity look like? We think it looks a lot like PHX Startup week. But it also looks like conversations in coffee shops and introductions to people in your network, it's meetups and conferences put on to benefit the community across the Valley. It looks like funding. It looks like encouragement.
But what does it feel like?
It feels like PHX.
If you've been here you know the feeling. But this brings us back to our original question — how do you measure a feeling? Our recommendation?
One percent at a time.
What if every company represented at SUW pledged to give 1% back to the PHX community?
Pledge1percent.org
Could 1% help PHX Thrive? Could 1% transform your company culture?
Tech leaders like Salesforce, Atlassian and Yelp, along with 8,500 companies in 100+ countries are showing 1% can make a big difference by pledging 1%.
Pledge 1% is a global movement, creating a new normal for companies to give. The simple, flexible and scalable model helps founders integrate giving back into their company cultures and values early by committing to give 1% of equity, time, product, and/or profit to any cause of their choosing.
Here in PHX, over 40 CEOs and founders have already committed to giving back 1% of equity, time, product and/or profit to a local cause of their choosing. You'll be hearing more about Pledge 1% during SUW — including hearing from these local companies who have incorporated giving back into their business models, sharing how conscious giving changed their company cultures — for the good.
The best part about pledging 1%? It's a measurable commitment to continuing to build a generous PHX. Founders, entrepreneurs of companies of all sizes can participate. You don't have to be funded, have dozens or hundreds of employees, you don't have to make millions… you just pledge to give back and help PHX thrive, 1% at a time.
It's simple and easy to sign up. By joining, you will receive access to free tools, support, and a growing community of like-minded leaders who are committed to leveraging their companies to do good.
If you are a founder, CEO, or entrepreneur and are interested in learning how you can have a positive social impact through your business, take the pledge at p1.today.
Is giving back already part of your company culture? Great! Take the pledge and help us quantify the generosity that already exists in PHX.
Our goal is double the number of PHX companies who pledge 1% during the month of March, starting with SUW. Will you join us?
PHX Startup Week is in collaboration with StartupAZ Foundation who is empowering the next generation of Arizona entrepreneurs, helping them grow and give back. Find out more at startupaz.org
This website is made possible by the financial support of Resound - an Arizona brand agency as well as the creative and dedicated volunteer team at PHX Startup Week.