Misc. – Page 2 – The Story Co.

Dec

metro pet market futureproof grad

Having participants in your FutureProof Retail course who have, at the core of their purpose, intentions to change the world and revolutionize how we care for our dogs and cats – well, it does not get any more exciting than that!

And, change it they have! After 14 years, Metro Pet Market has stayed true to its purpose and values, even being tested by the pandemic, big box stores, and false information everywhere on how to best care for our furry family.

Despite this, they remain steadfast, always learning and sharing these insights. Every day, they have a learning session with all staff to ensure everyone understands the products they represent, why and when to recommend them, and how they’ll benefit your companion animal.

If you have ever been to a specialty shop, only to be frustrated that the staff do not know much about the products – well, that will never happen at Metro Pet Market!

We weren’t surprised that they wanted to learn more about retail! For Metro Pet Market, the FutureProof Retail course gave them a chance to look at global trends in retail and how keeping on top of change in their own business and the greater retail community can be helpful. Insights were learned on benchmarking and merchandising, along with considerations for growth.

The pandemic, of course, impacted them and was a huge nudge to get their online store up and running… and in a hurry. The expansion into online came with a steep learning curve but a tremendous opportunity. As you might have guessed… they were game for both.

They have built a solid purpose brand, and as they continue to bring us ever more revolutionary and cutting edge ways to care for our dogs and cats, we know that they are changing the world. In the process, we are being transformed too!

Thank you Metro Pet Market for being a part of this program and for being an exemplary model of the value of shopping local.

Drop by any of the stores and join the revolution! You will be glad you did… and your dogs and cats will be even happier!

Nov

Purpose Brand series . Modo

Have you ever heard of Modo? Founded in 1997, the British Columbia-based, Modo, is a member-owned car share operator – the oldest car-sharing organization in the area AND the first car-share co-op in North America. A true pioneer in the car-sharing space!

“We define success through the lens of our Purpose, which is to transform communities by connecting people and places in a way that is affordable, convenient, inclusive, and sustainable.”

Well, that’s a purpose statement if I’ve ever heard one. Modo’s motivation isn’t profit; in fact, they actually encourage their customers to walk, cycle, and take public transit whenever they can, and urge their customers to only consider Modo’s round-trip service as a complement to transit – one that should be used only when a car is necessary.

While the ridesharing environment has drastically changed over the years, Modo has remained committed to putting people before profit. Their mission is to earn just enough to cover their operations costs so that they can continue to invest in being the best and most PURPOSEFUL car-share operator in the province.

Given the rising fuel prices and factors such as maintenance, parking, insurance, and not to mention the environmental impact – Modo makes a lot of sense! For those living in larger cities where car ownership isn’t essential or those who do not want to cover the expenses of car ownership, this organization offers an attractive solution.

With their main office located on the shared ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, Modo acknowledges that “we and our members live and work on these lands and our cars move across them. We recognize the harm that is caused to the environment – land, air, and water – through the use of vehicles, and commit to reducing that harm as a core part of our Purpose.”

Like Modo, when organizations are committed to their purpose, great strides are made within the community, the business becomes more competitive, they have a riveting story to tell, their team is invigorated, they attract committed customers and employees, and their leaders are kept on track, motivated, and fulfilled.

How can your business become more purpose-driven? We can help!

Jun

hope builder

What an impact the YWCA Regina women of distinction awards had on me! It is always an outstanding event and the focus on essential workers this year played with all of our heartstrings!

The guest speaker Waneek Horn-Miller was exceptional. She has a very calm way of presenting fiercely important ideas.

She talked about the number of people who had been “hope builders” along her way and I fell in the love with the idea of being a “hope builder”. Surely that is what the world needs now!

She also talks about making love the foundation of our decisions and what changes when we do.

Freshly springing into June looking for ways to be a “Hope Builder”. Who are you a hope builder for?

Jan

Word(s) for the Year: “Lower your Expectations”

Sometimes when I’m asked a profound question I just blurt out the answer.

My own voice surprises myself.

Then the longer I think about it and can give 10 other answers, then I think “Ya, ok I’ll go with the first answer”.

That is what happened to me this year when I was picking my word for the year.

This is a process I delight in – I love words! It’s a big deal.

The year I chose “brave” was marked with some decisions that would not have happened if that voice in the back of my mind weren’t urging me to pick the brave opportunity. It wasn’t always comfortable but the choices were indeed brave.

Last year I chose “collaborative”. Even in a pandemic, opportunities to collaborate were game changing. The collaborative choice, both personally and professionally, always came up with the game changing “stretch” opportunity.

Like brave, collaborative wasn’t always the easy choice. The actions these words inspired become part of my story and I carry them forward.

My smart, sassy, impromptu answer this year was “lower your expectations.” I had a “who said that, did I really say that out loud moment?” Who was I kidding? I’m a raise-the-bar, farther, faster kind of gal.

But damn the answer persisted. And I did my best to resist.

I thought back to my perfectly planned 2020, complete with vision board, which by mid- March was eye candy, nothing more. (But super nice eye candy.)

Maybe there was something to this gut reaction.

Lowering expectations felt quite freeing not defeatist.

Central to how I would define the concept was the idea of releasing the need for an outcome.

It’s a raw answer that is deeply invested in creativity and curiosity and felt like an invitation to keep growing.

Show up, ship it, give the benefit of the doubt. However you want to say it, lowering your expectations says, “this might not be perfect but I’m pushing forward. Please love me anyway.”

So 2021, I’m pushing forward. I’ve got exciting plans for you but likely you have exciting plans for me too. I’m ready and open.

Where does your mind go if you release expectations?

What might your word be for 2021?

Oct

Why aren’t you telling your story?

My purpose is to elevate others through the power of their own personal and corporate story.

I love the work because it is so transformational.

Everyone knows that stories are what we remember, that stories change hearts, which change minds, which change behaviour. How can you not get excited about that?

Whether I am working one-on-one or with a corporate team, regardless of position or level of success of the company, the top 6 reasons stories are untold include:

Do we even have a story to tell?
We don’t know how to tell it.
Our company isn’t like other companies; it’s complicated.
Where do we start?
Our story is boring.
And then the one that is on everyone’s minds and only the brave will admit it: Will anyone care?

Well, yes, yes and YES!

But there is a trick.

There are lots of stories out there that we don’t read or care about, and others that leave a lasting impact. The framework I have developed helps you to get to the core of your purpose; your genius work both personally and corporately, and put it into words.

Your words. Words that lead others, build brands and extend market share.

Words that cause others to act. Creating the ripple (or the tidal wave) in the world that only you can create.

Once you declare your purpose, you can tell your story. Once you can tell your story, you can live your story.

And that is where the magic happens.

Isn’t it time you told your story? We can help 🙂

metro pet market futureproof grad

Purpose Brand series . Modo

hope builder

Word(s) for the Year: “Lower your Expectations”

Why aren’t you telling your story?

get inspired.

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