What I love about Simon Mainwaring’s new book, We First is that he is suggests that we not only think different, but act and therefore will feel different. In the model of behavior change, that would mean we need to “be” ,“do” and then “have.”
Simon’s book is the perfect book to set the groundwork and mindset for the “be” — and also for the other parts of “be, do, have,” but in particular for creating a new conscious awareness of behaviors and treatment of people and customers and business.
The book is about how brands and consumers can use social media to build a better world. The We First community is made up of the individual people who want to make a better world by using social technologies. To quote Simon:
Social media is easily mistaken as an end in itself rather than THE tool to connect emotionally around shared values through powerful storytelling.
What we have learned from Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung is that storytelling is a very powerful tool for learning, growth and transformation. And social media is a way to do that with millions online!
If you want to learn more about the We First movement… you can check out the video…
Here are the details on what the “We First” stands for…
We First Manifesto
“We First” is a way of looking at the world. It asserts that we now live in an intimately connected, mutually dependent, global community. It recognizes that selfish Me First thinking hurts business, people we care about, millions of strangers and the planet. It embraces the seismic impact of digital and social technology that is transforming our professional and personal lives. It accepts the challenge of millions of consumers who want brands to be a force for change in return for their loyalty, goodwill and purchases.
It believes that this unprecedented collision of global needs and personal wants, of human emotion and social technology, of powerful brands and newly empowered consumers has the potential to transform our world.
That brands that recognize that their best interests are served by helping others. The We First Community provides them with the most effective strategies, creativity and technology to build their brand communities, profits and positive impact. By working at the intersection of social technology and social change we can all achieve our highest business goals and build a better world.
Ten Core Beliefs of We First
* An inter-dependent, global community requires an expanded definition of self-interest.
* The future of profit is purpose.
* Technology is teaching us to be human again.
* Consumers want a better world, not just better widgets.
* Brands must become architects of community.
* Brands must become day traders in social emotion.
* The evolution of revolution is contribution.
* We cannot separate living and giving if we hope to build a better world.
* Life’s necessities must generate the necessities for life.
* Prosperity is not the wealth of a few but the well-being of many.
This is amazing and I’m thrilled to be able to call Simon my friend. He is a true thought leader!
Dr. Nat is a leading expert, often quoted in the press and provides commentary as a guest expert on radio and television on how the top companies provide great experiences and retain loyal customers. She also writes about technology, social media, mobile and products. Her research has been highlighted in cover stories in business publications like Business Week, New York Times and USA Today and she has given talks at leading events such as WOMMA, Forrester Consumer Forum, SOCAP, and more. Dr. Nat is the author of four business books on customer service, CRM and contact centers as well as author of dozens upon dozens of articles, white papers and research.
