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The key to success clarity about what good you are doing and how you do it, not your legal status

This blog celebrates the idea that any organisation — whatever its legal form — can change the world when it is built on purpose, responsibility, and a deep respect for people. Drawing on experiences from a well‑run laundry business to global innovations like the Nokia 1100, and lessons from the rise and fall of Kids Company, it shows that doing good is not the exclusive domain of charities. Businesses, social enterprises, public bodies, and charities alike can transform lives when they combine vision with evidence, values with action, and ambition with integrity. At its heart, the piece is a call to believe that meaningful work, responsible leadership, and clarity of purpose can create real, lasting impact everywhere.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 30 Apr '26 | Tags: social enterprise changing lives

What would you write on your wall to capture your culture?

The photo above is from the Lounge bar and cafe in Eckington, just south of Sheffield, and it prompted me to write this blog today as I have just returned from having lunch there with Bob, my husband and business partner. Find out more about the Lounge on their Facebook. You really do feel the people at the Lounge are friends; they greet us by name and not just us, they remember what you order from previous visits, but also what is happening in your life. You feel they really care, and surprise, surprise, sometimes we struggle to get a table because it is so full.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 10 Mar '26 | Tags:

Reasons to be cheerful

You or people you know may be avoiding the news because it always seems bad. This blog is designed to lift your spirits, focusing on good news and giving you positive stories to share and inspire others. They range from personal safety to the sport, drains to volunteering. They focus on what is great in the UK. Feeling positive improves health both physically and mentally, so please read this blog and share its contents if only to help save the NHS money! Be thankful we live in the UK - most of us like where we live According to the Thomson Reuters Foundation, we are part of only 12% of the global population that live in a liberal democracy. This allows us to criticise and share opinions, to have a free press, and to live under the rule of law. It allows us to be openly negative or positive. And actually most of us feel positive about where we live!

Posted by Sarah Brown on 28 Feb '26 | Tags: inspiration

Is 2026 going to be the year you win by being good?

Maybe you are one of the 1 in 10 British workers who want to resign this month, or part of the large number impacted by work-related stress? Or you run an organisation and worry about productivity and surviving financially? Or like me, you just want 2026 to be a good year. Well, this blog is designed to address your needs. Last year, I finally published my book after over a decade of writing it. Not full-time, obviously! I knew I could only have a successful 2025 if I published it. Now, I aim to use my book, “Winning by being Good”, as a guide to making 2026 great. Here are my top tips inspired by it.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 06 Jan '26 | Tags: goals winning by being good action

Should Father Christmas do it?

Father Christmas has market dominance at Christmas, but he is worried. Birth rates are falling, so he is considering building on his distribution skills on the 24th and 25th of December by providing a birthday present delivery service or an Easter Egg delivery service, but should he do it? Here is the story of how he decided on his strategic future:

Posted by Sarah Brown on 23 Dec '25 | Tags: strategy winning by being good

Do you ask often enough?

Today I was listening to the first Reith Lecture by Rutger Bregman on BBC Radio Four. It was thought-provoking and sometimes depressing. For example, he referenced the American Freshman Survey, which has been tracking the values of first-year college students since the 1960s. Fifty years ago, when students were asked about their most important life goals, 80% to 90% indicated that developing a meaningful philosophy of life was their top priority, while only 50% mentioned making a lot of money. Today, those numbers have reversed. Now, 80% to 90% of students say getting rich matters most, and only about half still value a meaningful philosophy of life. However, what particularly struck me from the lecture was his answer to a question about how things could be changed.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 25 Nov '25 | Tags: success winning by being good

A Tale of Two Charities in the News: Measuring Success and Shortcomings Through the Lens of 'Winning by Being Good

Charities are under the spotlight like never before—every decision, every outcome, every failure or success is headline news. That’s why I wrote “Winning by Being Good”—the essential guide for anyone who wants their organisation to stand out, thrive, and earn public trust. In this blog, I reveal the core principles behind true leadership and lasting financial success, using real-world examples to show what works and what doesn’t. But I don’t just share theory: “Winning by Being Good” equips you with a powerful audit tool, The Responsible Organisation Charter© (ROC), so you can rigorously assess your organisation and instantly identify areas for improvement. Packed with actionable strategies and practical examples, this is your blueprint for building an organisation people admire—and support. Don’t settle for mediocrity or risk being tomorrow’s negative headline. Invest in your organisation’s future—get “Winning by Being Good” and lead the way to ethical, sustainable success.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 31 Oct '25 | Tags: charity ROC

What would you do if you could recruit more volunteers?

Yesterday, the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced that future migrants would have to earn their right to settle permanently by proving they contribute to society and could earn an earlier settlement if they volunteered in their local communities. This blog focuses on the current state of volunteering, outlining how to seize the opportunity to reboot your volunteering while its profile is high. In addition to considering the issues of recruitment, I am also considering the strategic opportunities that may arise both because of the announcement on migrants and for many other reasons. I also delve into the potential problems that the Samaritans, a well-known charity, is facing with its volunteers, which has just hit the news and raises some critical issues concerning volunteering.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 30 Sep '25 | Tags:

If you work with people you need to read this

Relationships are crucial for your success, whether you are a solo entrepreneur, part of a small organisation with a few staff members and volunteers, or part of a multinational corporation. This blog focuses on how enhancing your organisation’s success hinges on the connections it makes and why these relationships matter. If you're interested in learning more, discovering your staff's opinions, and reading inspiring examples, then buy my book Winning by being Good

Posted by Sarah Brown on 31 Aug '25 | Tags: profit relationships charity business success

Especially as a sole trader you need the focus on Winning by being Good

Starting or running a business independently can be daunting. You must maximise the impact of everything you do. I wrote my book after encountering countless individuals who were failing to achieve their full potential because one or two pillars of the Responsible Organisation Charter© (ROC) were not effectively implemented in their businesses. If you overlook these vital components, you're setting yourself up for failure.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 18 Jul '25 | Tags: ROC winning by being good solopreneur

Successful high growth companies believe in impact not just money

On July 4th, this Friday, I'll release my book, "Winning by Being Good" but as you will see below, just today, I found more evidence that purpose leads to success. The book is about running a business that makes a positive difference in the world. My goal is to help anyone who wants to create change by providing practical advice, "a manual" on running any organisation ethically. I cover many topics, not just ethics, marketing or leadership. In addition to providing practical advice, the book includes case studies and stories designed to inspire people to pursue their dreams or reconsider their current approaches if they are already part of an organisation. Additionally, if you're interested in the ebook, it will be available at half-price this Friday, launch day! Evidence of Winning by Being Good I've spent a decade working on my project. With all the challenges in the world, I was inspired by an opinion piece by Ben Maruthappu in The Times today.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 30 Jun '25 | Tags:

Would we want to be as happy as Finland?

Being happy is essential for countries, organisations, and individuals, as it is linked to improved well-being and higher standards of living. This blog explores why Finland is one of the happiest countries and what lessons we can learn, particularly regarding the significance of community and shared purpose—and how to foster these elements. I believe that any organisation can benefit from strengthening its sense of community, as the benefits outlined below demonstrate. Additionally, I think this could lead to increased productivity, which is a significant concern for organisations and the UK as a whole.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 30 May '25 | Tags: vision success changing lives

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