#6 Joshua Ross "Millions for Education: The Humanitix Impact Story Continues..."
What makes Humanitix story so unique, is that they developed a new model for charities. In the process, they’ve targeted and disrupted the global event ticketing industry…a highly profitable industry with inefficiencies and ripe for disruption.
Their business model is a timely experiment in what Humanitix calls, “compassionate capitalism”. This is a powerful call to action for those wanting to follow a for-purpose path. Where profit and purpose are working in harmony. The important lesson here: Humanitix has been laser-focused, developing a great tech product, and the customer’s experience has been at the heart of everything they do, and Humanitix is led by co-founders, Josh and Adam McCurdie, who have drive, conviction and purpose.
This episode is a masterclass in growing and scaling a social enterprise. Overcoming scaling difficulties, building strategy, managing funders and partners, preserving culture, employee development and dealing with black swan events.
In the past year, Josh, his co-founder Adam McCurdie distributed $4m to not-for-profit projects and this year on track to distribute $8-$10M. That is huge. Significant traction in 3 short but complex years, since I last spoke with Josh in this kind of setting.
The themes of Preserving Culture and Playing to your Strengths.
Preserving Culture.
Whether you're nurturing a team culture or safeguarding the identity of your organisation, it's vital to prioritise authenticity and clarity on your company or team’s values. Josh spoke about “taking a hit as a team” during the pandemic – explaining the important role of unity and building trust, Josh discussed the importance finding employees that are passionate about Humanitix and also passionate about the work that needs to be done. Josh spoke about implanting your “cultural heroes” into new teams and offices to galvanise and reinforce the right culture. Here are two questions to reflect on:
1. How are you actively maintaining and enhancing your team's values, ensuring they align with your daily responsibilities and interactions?
2. Are you clear about your company's culture, including the values and behaviours that are most beneficial to the success of your company? And well aligned are your behaviours to the culture of the company?
And finally, Playing to your strengths
Josh really knows himself and what he believes in. Whether it's with Humanitix employees, partners, funders, or just friends, people know where he stands. He's not one to just go with the flow and with what is conventional; he's found his own way to connect with and make an impact on those around him. Following your own path and playing to your strengths is key. It's about being true to yourself while being open to positive influences. This takes self-awareness, compassion, and strength.
Josh shares his experience and the most practical advice for "playing to your strengths" is to identify what you're naturally good at and focus on leveraging those abilities.
So, here's something to reflect on:
Reflect on: 1. What are your strengths? Your weaknesses? What tasks or activities energise and motivate you?
2. In what situations at work and in your personal life can you leverage your strengths to consistently excel?
We’ve also adapted the original chat with Josh into a podcast episode, and it is a valuable companion to this episode – check out that episode, there is a wonderful backstory to Humanitix as part of Episode 5.