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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

Is ultra-processed information as unhealthy for the mind as ultra-processed food for the body?

Is ultra processed information as dangerous for the mind

After the blog last month about the benefits of AI, I've been thinking about a new issue. Could the endless stream of processed information we see online be just as unhealthy for our minds as processed food can be for our bodies? This idea makes me consider how the things we read and watch can greatly affect how we learn, how we feel, and how we act.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 29 Apr '25 | Tags: AI winning by being good

How can you do good, be more effective and save money?

Everywhere there is talk of using artificial intelligence(AI) to save money and change the world but I have not come across much about how it can be used for doing good except in the medical field so I thought I would look for some examples and also share practically how I use AI and have done in some cases for almost a decade. I want to be clear: this blog's content has involved my use of AI. However, it was only by asking intelligent, insightful questions that I obtained any valuable answers. As this first infographic illustrates, it is pretty but totally uninformative.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 31 Mar '25 | Tags: innovation AI charity social enterprise

Choosing the best legal structure if you want to create positive change in the world

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There is no definitive "best" legal structure for making a positive impact, and several factors must be considered. I posted a couple of questions about legal structures to Microsoft's Copilot , its AI tool, and found the responses intriguing. The initial assumption was that a sole trader or a company wouldn't be viable legal structures for fostering positive change when I posed the question in terms of the title of this blog. However, when I asked, "What issues should you consider when choosing a legal structure?" the answers were quite different; they did not mention Mission or purpose or suggest that one might consider a charity as a legal structure.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 27 Feb '25 | Tags: cic CIO strategy

2025 Focus on the fundamentals

Focusing on the fundamentals will be critical to success and survival this year, regardless of whether you are an organisation or an individual. In this blog, I am focusing on why, in the current climate, it is critical to get each step right;

Posted by Sarah Brown on 29 Jan '25 | Tags: values theory of change behaviours

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