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This week we’re talking about a town devoted to a happy life, how emotions could result in better business, and how a bottle of cognac could be the solution to your problems. Happy reading!

Andy

HAPPENING AT CASA CINCO

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FOR INSPIRATION

After experiencing his father’s humiliation at work, Brunello Cucinelli became determined to build a business that made profits ethically, provided workers with pleasant workplaces, and paid competitive salaries. For him, it was all about Humanistic Capitalism.

In doing so, he not only built a multinational fashion brand under his namesake but also transformed the town of Solomeo into “an area devoted to culture, to art, to traditions, to history and a happy life”.

Whether you’re building a business, working for one, or interact with people, places, and products in any way, ask yourself: how can we use business as a channel for happier lives? How can I build my version of Solomeo?

FOR CONVERSATION

Most of us grew up hearing that companies had no emotions. “It makes for good business, deal with it”. This is something I always struggled with, as it seemed short-sighted and haughty.

What if the opposite were true, and businesses got emotionally involved in the lives of their employees? TLDR: Happier employees means better business. There’s a myriad of evidence for it, but Airbnb’s founder and CEO Brian Chesky puts it beautifully in his interview with Steven Bartlett for The Diary of a CEO.

I recommend listening to the whole thing, but otherwise head to the part labeled “Airbnb’s Darkest Moment” staring 1:06:36. Don’t be disguised by the video’s thumbnail, the content is much more thoughtful and complex.

FOR ACTION

Getting the bill at a restaurant is never smooth (unless you’re using Sunday, although it feels like breaking up with your waiter).

What Will’s team came up with back during his time at Eleven Madison Park was brilliant - they’d drop off the bill for you along an entire bottle of cognac. No one who’s just been given a full bottle of cognac and a glass will feel rushed out, and yet it got the job done. More often than not, people would enjoy the surprise, pay their bill, and head home. Flawless.

What is that one problem you can’t currently seem to find a solution to? Our approach is often to push harder, cut back, or look for efficiencies. But what if you take Will’s concept, and look for a solution by giving more, not less?

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We’ll talk soon. Thank you for joining us at Casa Cinco

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