Working for Good: Making a Difference While Making a Living [Unabridged] [Paperback]

Jeff Klein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

The words "business" and "social change" may seem contradictory, but the fact is a successful business may be the most powerful force for positive change in the world today. In Working for Good, Jeff Klein, one of the visionaries and driving forces behind Spinning, Seeds of Change, ChiRunning, and other forward-thinking brands presents a how-to guidebook for becoming a "conscious entrepreneur"--one who addresses social issues while running a profitable business based on integrity and self-actualization. Putting the tools of conscious business development firmly in our hands, Jeff Klein takes readers step by step through the five keys to Working for Good, showing how to: --Express your humanity through full awareness and embodiment while engaging others with your work. --Establish purpose grounded in principles that sustain both your business and your virtues. --Generate rich experiences in and outside of work through a network of spirited connection and collaboration. For anyone who has yearned to make a comfortable living in service of real social change, Jeff Klein offers an essential read that is at once deeply inspirational and wholly practical: Working for Good.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeff Klein is the CEO of Cause Alliance Marketing(tm), an organization that designs and produces collaborative cause-related marketing programs that address social issues while fulfilling the business objectives of alliance partners. He currently serves as executive director and chief activation officer for FLOW--a non-profit dedicated to "liberating the entrepreneurial spirit for good" cofounded by John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, and educational entrepreneur Michael Strong. Jeff Klein has consulted for the Esalen Institute, the National Geographic Society, GlobalGiving,the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591797268
• ISBN-13: 978-1591797265
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #898,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As CEO of Working for Good, Jeff Klein activates, produces and facilitates mission-based, Stakeholder Engagement Marketing™ campaigns and Conscious Culture development programs.

Jeff is a trustee and member of the executive team of Conscious Capitalism, Inc. and producer of Conscious Capitalism events. He authored the award-winning book, Working for Good: Making a Difference While Making a Living and hosts a weekly radio program called It's Just Good Business. Jeff serves as Executive Director of BeingHuman.org and producer of Being Human events.

He love surfing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, ChiRunning and moving in general. He is an actively engaged father of a teenage daughter, and lives in San Rafael, Calif.

For more information visit workingforgood.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Master Principles of Business Consciousness October 22, 2009

By Cynthia Sue Larson TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

WORKING FOR GOOD provides intuition and mindfulness exercises readers can practice to gain a better sense of who they and how they can do the most good in the world. Author Jeff Klein shares insights drawn from his role as executive director of a nonprofit called FLOW, encouraging us to build, support and work for conscious businesses that operate based on three core principles: having a deeper purpose, optimize interdependencies, and providing leadership through being in service. Klein provides some examples of how to work in conscious businesses in a way that is perfectly suited for anyone interested in making money while simultaneously operating from a place of honesty, compassion, and love. Few money-making ideas are presented in WORKING FOR GOOD, as this is primarily more of a self-help book than a business book in the traditional sense.

WORKING FOR GOOD provides a tantalyzing glimpse behind the scenes of conscious businesses that are becoming increasingly visible and admired, at a time when many self-serving businesses are suffering from tarnished images when the public becomes aware of their selfish short-sightedness. Klein takes readers through some of the most important practical skills needed for working in conscious businesses, which require self-reflection and a commitment to ongoing growth to achieve. WORKING FOR GOOD is not recommended for readers who are not interested in self actualization, as they may not readily recognize the intrinsic value of learning skills such as understanding emotions, or reflective listening.

I recommend WORKING FOR GOOD for anyone interested in helping to transform their business into a more conscious business, who is open to becoming more conscious in the process.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Less "how to build an enterprise" and more "how to understand your feelings in business" October 20, 2009

By Jason Stokes VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I picked up and put down this book several times. I came in with an expectation that this would contain stories of how people have made a difference while working, a path to help understand how to make a positive difference, and a blueprint for going out and doing it. It's not that book. I can't fault it for it is, but it's not a practical guide to building sustainable business.

It is, however, a practical guide to look inside yourself, understand how the business is affecting you, and work from there. There are many discussions on meditative techniques, examining the fire inside, and so on - that would probably be very helpful to someone discerning if they really are in their true calling, or just working for the sake of working. On that note, it succeeds.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Positive Change in the Workplace August 28, 2009

By Rebecca of Amazon HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

"Countless entrepreneurs in diverse industries are staking out new paths to creating conscious companies in service to the greater good." ~ pg. 15

Jeff Klein is one of the many voices that has sprung up from the Conscious Business community. He provides simple strategies you can implement to work for the common good. This book begins with stories of company owners who are making a difference in the world and then progresses into descriptions of how the reader can make the same type of changes in their company. He focuses on awareness, embodiment, connection, collaboration, and integration.

Throughout "Working for Good" there are interesting exercises reminiscent of some breathing exercises you may have experienced in yoga. These help you to focus on aspects of business that are essential to your success. I especially enjoyed the exercise on deep listening and tried it out on a friend. It really enhanced our conversation. I also started practicing the "reflective listening" and it made me more aware of the needs of the person I was talking to. If you think businesses only operate for profit this book may produce some interesting perspectives.

If you want to make a difference in the world then this book will interest you. I can also recommend Conscious Business: How to Build Value Through Values.

~The Rebecca Review