Microfinance - small scale loans that make a difference.

I first came across the idea of microfinance and Kiva (www.kiva.org) when I was discussing a client's long-term goal to set up their own charity to help people in Africa. Microfinancing is an instant, easy way to help without the need to be a philanthropic millionaire. 

Prompted by David Ferrers' recent blog post, I've just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Seang La Chea in Cambodia. Her group still need another $150.00 to complete their loan request of $200.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). I know we may all be short on cash at the moment but for the price of a few coffees, you can help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Seang La Chea's Group too:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=156583

I chose Cambodia and Seang La Chea's Group, as I visited the country a few years ago and it was the most amazing place with incredibly friendly and genuine people.

I choose exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

Join me and the team at Zenaid and start making a difference - one loan at a time.

Thanks.

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What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:

'Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.'  -- BBC

'If you've got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you've now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.'  -- CNN Money

'Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.' -- The Wall Street Journal

'An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity...All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.' -- Entrepreneur Magazine

Shift Happens

Every now and then there's a piece of music that comes along that's incredibly powerful, emotional and inspiring.

It's not new and both of those things have been around for a while but I was reminded of them again tonight in one of my weekly Skype chats and wanted to share them both.

If you want a totally stunning piece of inspiration set to a great soundtrack, watch this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q

and for a whole 8 minutes - listen to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1ryJDVuZ6k

On top of that, there's a beautiful crescent moon outside my window in a clear blue sky at twilight.

April Newsletter - Brighten Your Future ... Today

There are few of us who aren't feeling the effects of the credit crunch. Now is a good time to take stock and think about what's important and re-evaluate where you need to be focusing both your time and your finances.

One thing the credit crunch has taught us is that money isn't everything - especially when you haven't got it and there are some things that money can't buy ...


Read the rest of the article and get your free copy of this month's newsletter, just sign up on my website and you'll also receive free tips, advice, information and news on how to improve your time management and your business and personal life.

December Newsletter - I Can't Do That ...

My latest newsletter is just out. This month's main article is "I can't do that ...".

"I can't do that". I’m sure you’ve heard those words before, you’ve either said them yourself when confronted with a challenge or you’ve heard other people say them either about themselves or about others.


First of all, who says you can’t. Is it you that’s saying it or someone else? How often have you shared your dreams and ideas with someone and they come out with “You can’t do that” – either because they don’t think you’re capable of it or because they can’t do it and don’t understand why anyone else would want to do it.

To read the rest of the newsletter, just sign up on my website and you'll receive free tips, advice, information and news on how to improve your time management for your business and personal life.

Creative Moments

We don't make enough time for creative moments and its those that can cause that switch in thinking, those eureka moments that pop up out of the blue when we're thinking of something else, finding a solution to a long existing problem or challenge that we've been struggling with for months.

Inspiration triggered by something random, doing something different or doing something familiar differently. Exercising both sides of the brain instead of carrying on doing what you've always done the same way you've always done it.

If you're naturally a more logically thinking left-brained person, start using your more random, intuitive right brain every now and then. If you work in a creative way, apply a little logic or analysis to your work.

Use visual techniques to improve your memory, go running - exercise your mind and your body, do something unfamiliar or go somewhere new, listen to music, use mindmaps, engage all your senses.

Find time for a creative moment today.

Holiday Inspiration And Focus - September Newsletter

My latest newsletter is just out. This month's main article is about maintaining the inspiration and motivation we often get on holiday, there's also a special offer on the new book - Time Management For Dummies.

I’ve often found that holidays can be a great opportunity to not only take a break from your business or job but to think about the things that are really important to you and get a new perspective on life and triggers some of those light bulb moments of clarity. As a result of my holiday breaks, I’ve changed career (twice)...

If you want to read the rest of the newsletter, just sign up on my website and you'll receive the latest issue and free Power Time Tips.

The Death Of The Body Shop

Dame Anita Roddick died earlier this evening from a brain haemorrhage at the age of only 64.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6988343.stm

She has been a real inspiration to many entrepreneurs who start up their kitchen table businesses. She built a multi-billion dollar, global company that set the ground rules in green, ethical business and laid the foundation for others to follow. I read her biography - Body and Soul a few years ago.

I remember shopping in the Body Shop in Chichester in the early days when she'd just got started. The products came in the same bottles with the same green labels that we're so familiar with the emphasis on natural. Even then the core focus of the business was on organic, natural products well before all the other companies jumped on the green and ethical bandwagon. She expanded her business with fairtrade and sourcing products from around the world but also not exploiting the communities from which these came.

Somehow the Body Shop was never quite the same when she handed over control to L'Oreal.

Quote: Rainbows

I read a great quote today, or perhaps more of an observation, which in light of the recent rains seems highly appropriate.

"Without rain there wouldn't be rainbows"

Some Inspiration On Father's Day

One amazing Dad!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4B-r8KJhlE&eurl=

http://www.teamhoyt.com/history.shtml