CHRISTOPHER WICK – RIPPLES OF KNOWLEDGE

Few of us would think much on the consequences of throwing a pebble into the ocean.

Such a small stone, after all, could hardly have a noticeable effect on the vastness of the world’s deep and interconnected seas. But ocean waves are some of the most powerful forces on the face of the Earth, and they all begin as tiny random ripples combining from afar.

Social media consultant Christopher Wick knows the power that little ripples can have in the long run, and he’s intent on creating them wherever he can. Educating people in meaningful and sustainable ways all over the world has become the focus of his life and business – a pursuit that he hopes will help transform individuals and the societies in which they live for the better.

KNOWLEDGE VS. WISDOM IN THE INTERNET AGE

We live in a world where a large portion of the population has an unprecedented degree of access to information. That base of knowledge is growing exponentially while more and more people are gaining free and immediate access to it. One might think that with such a vast array of available knowledge, the world’s education needs would be solved forever.

But Christopher doesn’t believe that knowledge is of much use when simply picked like fruit from a tree. His didactic philosophy is that education is more about teaching how to apply knowledge towards one’s goals.

“Having access to information isn’t enough without knowing how to apply information,” he says.

he combination of knowledge with the wisdom to apply it, Christopher knows, gives people both a power and an agency that can never be taken away. And he believes that this agency – the power to make choices about one’s own destiny – is all the more critical for those in the world who lack the quality education that many take for granted.

It’s not just about helping individuals in need, though. Good education spreads rapidly in the area of those who receive it, like a ripple in the sea, affecting their own communities and beyond.

“When people know better, they do better,” Christopher says, “when people do better, the world does better.”

THE CONSUMMATE EDUCATOR

Christopher’s approach lies at the heart of UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #4, defined to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” – his SDG of choice. His favorite B1G1 projects – unsurprisingly – are those where with each gift he can provide a day of university education for a student in need.

His focus on quality education extends beyond his philanthropic pursuits – it is actually an integral part of how he does business. Christopher is the founder of SMM International, an award-winning social media marketing firm.

When he isn’t educating people on the speaking circuit or through his best-selling books, he’s helping his clients navigate social media and put it to best use for their businesses.

Christopher doesn’t allow his company to perform its services in an opaque, detached manner – as that does clients little good in the long run. Instead, true to his philosophy in education, he makes sure clients understand not only what’s being done, but why.

By doing so, he creates another ripple of knowledge that can stand the test of time.

LEGACY: CHRISTOPHER’S 3 GOALS

Christopher has developed three very focused and thoughtful goals in the process of building his business and making his legacy.

His first goal is to view his company as transforming, not just serving, its client’s businesses. This “big picture” approach allows him and his team to see each business transaction as bettering the families and communities of their clients.

His second goal is to build diverse teams that bring different perspectives to each other, to the company, and to their clients. This notion has resulted in his company employing someone from every populated continent.

His third goal is the real legacy builder… to use his success to alter the life trajectory of those in need by giving them the same privilege of a quality education that so many others in the world enjoy.

SMM International is B1G1 Legacy Maker for the week of 9 December 2019. By sponsoring the B1G1 giving space for a week, SMM International has enabled thousands of giving impacts to be created around the world.