One of the bright young stars in the US is a gentleman named Adam Braun. He tells a simple story because we all love simple honest stories – when he was in his teens travelling and studying around the world he would ask a child if they could have anything in the world, what would you want? The first child said dance, another one stand to walk with a parent who had health issues and another said a pencil. Adam would go on to think about the and this lead to education and construction and operations of schools around the world. The book the Promise of a Pencil is about the for purpose Pencils of Promise charity which Adam started and has written a wonderful book called The Promise of a Pencil by Adam Braun published by Scribner, NY 2014. The charity has built over 450 schools since being founded in 2008.

While building schools is a great thing, the more important aspect is the sustainability and for each school to continue to operate. The premise starts with the local community has to be involved – most help with construction and gaining the materials because the question is who fixes the school when something needs repairs? It is the local community which is invested in the schools through the parents and children.

Adam has incorporated many metrics of how to define success and there are easily accessible to the public which gives great transparency to the organization. The book’s chapters are mantras or beliefs Adam has evolved into his thinking and everyone, unless they only believe in themselves first and foremost can find something in. Some of the other terrific things to motivate and educate the staff he used seminars (example of google talks – Adam was a guest of one such talk) bring in people and ask them about their lives and how they overcame challenges. Adam talks his failures and what and how he learned. How to use mentors and people who wish to help; how to ask for money to continue. How to close the gap – one lesson is once a week send a personal and company thank you. Whether the thank you was yesterday or years ago – the notes matter to people. You can learn more at PencilofPromise.org and/or AdamBraun.org

Linking to dividend paying stocks, reading how the organization was set up and considering many organizations what can easily compare and contrast what is good and why you think it would work particularly when the bulk of your assets are people. The sub headline of the book is how an ordinary person can create extraordinary change, it can also mean the company can do better. See if the companies in your investment portfolio are doing to create value for the company.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.