The Story of Legacy: How to Write a World-changing Book

If you’ve ever felt that there is a book inside of you and you haven’t yet written one, this might be an interesting way to get that book ‘out’ from inside of you.

Equally, if you’re an experienced author and you’ve ever felt that your words could do even more, there’s much here for you too.

And if you’re simply looking for an inspiring book to read, a kind of book you can start from any section and take out loads of insights, inspirations and ideas, then you will love what you see below as well.

The book, “LEGACY – the Sustainable Development Goas in Action” is a book that’s worth writing your chapter for (read through to the bottom to see how you can get involved). And of course, it’s definitely worth reading to bring in new eye-opening perspectives to the way you live and work.

To understand it better, join me for just 1 minute to get the profound idea this book conveys.

DISCOVERING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The way this book came about is fascinating. And like many great things, it was unexpected.

One person’s simple and spontaneous idea in 2016 to capture the stories of ordinary yet inspiring business people eventually led to a series of books. The previous books were called ‘BETTER BUSINESS, BETTER LIFE, BETTER WORLD’.

And the latest one in the series carries the title ‘LEGACY’ with honeycomb symbols on the cover with colours that represent all of the Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs). And as the legacy of this book, one entire community in Ethiopia is set to receive access to a life-giving well (this is because the co-authors of LEGACY are making the collective contribution to this initiative). And there is so much more that happens as the book weaves its stories for you.

The fact that someone like Paul Polman is contributing his powerful Foreword is humbling. And in case you don’t know much about the Sustainable Development Goals, take a look at the book synopsis to get the idea:

Paul Polman in particular is an acclaimed corporate leader in the world. As CEO of Unilever (2009-2018), he demonstrated that a long-term, multi-stakeholder model – captured in the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan – goes hand-in-hand with good financial performance.

During his tenure, Unilever was one of the best-performing companies in its sector, delivering ten years of consistent top and bottom line growth. And he was described recently by The Financial Times as “A standout CEO of the past decade.”

When I had the chance to talk with Paul in 2018 in Berlin just before he stepped down as the CEO of Unilever, the first thing I mentioned to him was this:

“I used to think corporations were the ones causing most issues in the world — in a way ‘a source of all evil’ — driving consumerism and creating environmental havocs. But since becoming a business person myself, I’d come to better understand the challenges and aspirations of business people who want to make a positive difference in the world. So, seeing what you have done is very intriguing.”

Though he could have seen my remark as a criticism of corporations, Paul was disarmingly humble.

“I congratulate you on what you are doing with your work with small businesses. I see too that small businesses are critical part of making the change,” he said.

He then went on.

“If every business would see how they can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, they will have a true purpose and a true reason for being. If and when they do, it unlocks an enormous energy and attract the talent. It makes people engaged at work, it cuts cost and drive opportunities, and ultimately, the long-term success of your businesses.”

So that’s the perspective of a leader form a massively successful company:

SMALL BUSINESSES CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

This book spreads that message. We hope it encourages more and more people and businesses to participate in this global movement where every business small and big discovers their own way to contribute to the collective vision.

If every business would see how they can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, they will have a true purpose and a true reason for being. – Paul Polman

INSIGHTS THAT MATTER

The Sustainable Development Goals help us understand the diverse challenges that the world faces and they give us the key indicators to help us make the required change. Yet we also need to admit that there is no one right answer to each of the questions we ask.

With the aim to make a difference, every person, business and organisation must ask many questions, take actions (and make mistakes along the way) to find out things that work better. But it’s in those questions, actions and mistakes we find the most profound insights. Only when we get to share those insights effectively can we help each other make better progress. Faster.

And here is the most important element:

COLLECTIVELY AND CONSTANTLY MAKING MANY SMALL IMPROVEMENTS IS EVEN MORE POWERFUL THAN MAKING ONE BIG CHANGE ONCE IN A WHILE.

The power of this idea (eagerness to make of continuous improvements) is known as a Japanese concept of KAIZEN.

For the world to embrace the KAIZEN thinking, we need all stakeholders – businesses, individuals and causes – to work together with a shared purpose to make our world a better place for everyone.

The unique issues people identify because of their own upbringings and experiences are components of making a real sustainable change. And when that leads to actions and learning, we all have the potential to move to the next level of development.

The insights shared in this book by 52 changemakers are all different. They have different views, experiences and perspectives. Yet they are all making a difference in the world in their own unique ways.

When an ex-homeless person (let us keep him anonymous) happened to read a story about one of the co-authors, Susie Hutchison, he reached out to her via a video on Facebook out of blue as a stranger and shared how her story touched his heart.

In her original story, Susie talked about seeing a homeless boy on the street of Nepal one day and how she decided to sit next to him, to engage with him and how she eventually got involved in ensuring his wellbeing.

The ex-homeless person said the biggest thing for him when he was homeless was that absolutely no one had any eye contact with him. No one saw him as a person. And Susie’s sharing created a new sense of connection and a faith in the world, for him.

Things like this truly matter. Now, imagine what we can do by bringing out more stories like this in the world AND connecting the inspiration with tangible actions that allow us to change things for the better, together.

17 CHAPTERS – 17 GOALS FOR HUMANITY

The book has 17 chapters – they correspond with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The gift chapter gives you the full look into the specific Sustainable Development Goal you care about connecting with 2-3 different business/NGO leaders who share their own perspectives and approaches in making a difference. You see and learn about key statistics and tips that relate to the actualization of the specific goal. If you end up ordering the whole book later, you’d also want to know that every copy purchased actually makes a great difference.

For example, every printed copy ordered will plan a tree. And every Kindle download gives to a different education programs around the world.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

If you are a business owner, we hope you’ll also explore the B1G1 initiative and see how you and your business can make a great impact every day.

And if you are a B1G1 Member already and want to get involved in the LEGACY book project, we will soon be announcing a new opportunity for you to be part of this inspiring book. So, please let us know you are interested.

If you are not a business owner but a person who wants to help make a positive impact, please share this book with others.

After all, we all need to come together to ensure that our world can continue to be the beautiful place it is, for our children and grandchildren.

At B1G1, we believe that every small person and business can make a real difference, by making caring choices with each and every opportunity.

Follow the LEGACY:#B1G1LEGACY

‘Legacy – The Sustainable Development Goals in Action’ is a beautifully crafted and curated book. This book shows how people and businesses truly can change the way our world evolves. It empowers every entrepreneur and business owner to embody the spirit of giving, to adopt impactful strategies and to make a great difference by focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals.

It’s a book that has the what, why and how of creating a business that truly matters.