Mike Harris's Blog

This is a different blog post from normal. I wanted to let people who read my web site know about something I am up to

I and my collaborators have created an organisation called Federation100 . We are at the moment looking to work with companies in Europe each
with a big vision for their business , a vision that not only delivers wealth but also makes a remarkable difference in the world. I meet many such people who ask my advice - either right at the start of their businesses or after a few years when they have reached an impasse - they have got so far but can't see how to get the breakthroughs they need to take the next steps toward their vision .

What's missing , that would make a huge difference in my opinion is access to regular, affordable world class, results oriented coaching and in some cases facilitation of the provision of seed or growth finance from investors who share their vision. That's what we are trying to put in place with Federation100 - called that by the way because we intend work with the businesses in groups , groups where individual companies can spark off and support each other - a federation if you like. Our ambition for it, in a few years time, is to have a web site showcasing the 100 companies we will have worked with by then -each being a stunning success story.

It's an initiative bang in line with my intention of inspiring innovation and entrepreneurship and it came about because two people read my book and took an idea which was working in Canada - shaped it and stretched it and turned it into something I could get behind.

I'm working with Mynoo Blackbyrn who is the driving force behind this initiative . I've known Mynoo for many years as a serial entrepreneur and leadership coach.

We are working together with Anarag Gupta. Anarag has been running an organisation called the difference engine in Vancouver. The difference engine is a group of 16 businesses who get together regularly to be coached by Anarag and share their insights with each other. Here is what Anarag has to say about it :

We design and implement initiatives that produce previously unseen levels of performance and results. We are currently working in the areas of business, education, wellness and entertainment. Every project we design, or step into, generates exceptional exponential results, while at the same time causing transformation in the community and the world - hence everything becomes a difference engine.

Here is what one client had to say about Anurag :

What can I say: Every bit of advice and coaching Anurag has ever given me, be it personal or business, has made an immediate and lasting difference in my life. I can look back on so many instances where his support and assistance enabled me to achieve new levels of performance in my career, and new levels of connectedness and success in my relationships, with often immediate results. He is a gift and an asset to anyone willing and able to work with him and The Difference Engine. I highly recommend anyone who has ever had a dream for their business that looks unreachable get in contact with him right away. March 10, 2008
Jay Giraud (Salesperson / Sales Manager at Carter Honda / Carter Motorsports) worked with Anurag at The Difference Engine.

We can quote many success stories from Anurag's work - here’s just two : Lululemon (a yoga apparel company) which grew from an idea to be listed on Nasdaq for 3 billion dollars, and at the other end of the scale, Panther, a construction company which in the last 7 months has grown its revenues from from $7 million to $18 million despite the recession in that industry.

Anurag's philosophy is very similar to that I've outlined in the chapters in my book on Leadership, Brand, Culture and Hot Teams and Anarag will now be spending time working in Europe for Federation100. Mynoo and I will be adding workshops and practical help on the material covered in the other parts of my book - that is: idea shaping and stretching, funding and the planning and smart risk processes which lets you approach a big vision a doable step at a time. We have run many such workshops in the past and I think the most valuable thing people get from it is a clarity on what they are up to, on what really matters now and a clearing of the blind spots which will prevent their success.

There is so much more to say and show and those of you coming to the business growth workshop on 25th November can grab me or Mynoo then to find out more. Anyone else who is interested please contact Mynoo by email. We will only be working with 15 companies and only those we are able to believe in.

All I can say for now is that we have described the idea to five companies so far to try and get some design feedback and somewhat to our surprise four of them have asked if they can apply to join Federation100.