LovelyCompanies.com » On Loveliness

Alain de Botton’s kinder, gentler philosophy of success

David Haywood Smith — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:00:16 +0000

I’ve been a fan of Alain de Botton for some time now so I was very excited to learn that he spoke at TEDGlobal in Oxford back in July. Do take a moment to watch his talk above.

A couple of choice quotes:

It’s perhaps easier now, than ever before, to make a good living. It’s perhaps harder, than ever before, to stay calm, to be free of career anxiety.

The next time you see somebody driving a Ferrari don’t think, “This is somebody who is greedy.” Think, “This is somebody who is incredibly vulnerable and in need of love.”

Poll: Do Rural Offices Help to Make a Company Lovely?

David Haywood Smith — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:55:54 +0000

Need a quick win on your Monday to-do list? Get the ball rolling with another LovelyCompanies.com poll!

This time we’d like to revive the age-old town vs country debate and ask whether it has any bearing on how lovely a company is. What do you think?

Poll closes: Friday 10th April, 2pm.

Barry Schwartz: The real crisis? We stopped being wise

David Haywood Smith — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:49:29 +0000

Johnny The Bagger

David Haywood Smith — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:13:34 +0000

Here’s a heart-warming story about the value of great service.

Great service comes from the heart…

Business Experts On The Role Of Ethics In The Global Downturn

David Haywood Smith — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:27:19 +0000

Here’s an interesting and relevant video from The Independant:

Vote For Your Favourite Lovely Company!

David Haywood Smith — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:47:55 +0000

Today, on our nine month anniversary, we’d like to put it to you: what is your favourite lovely company?

Since February 14th (Valentine’s day), we’ve written about many of the lovely things that companies have been up to. Now it’s your turn to vote on your favourite company!

Once you’ve voted, spread the word far and wide about this poll and try to win as many votes as possible for your chosen company! Also, you could add the reason for your vote in the comments…

The winning company will win the prestigious LovelyCompanies.com People’s Award and will be able to display a special badge on their website!

The poll closes next Friday (21st November) at 6pm!

The Paradox Of Choice

David Haywood Smith — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:55:48 +0000

Barry Schwartz’s brilliant TED talk (embedded below) has some fascinating implications. He argues that delightful experiences are becoming scarcer as we come to expect perfection in so many aspects of our lives. He argues that the secret to happiness is to lower our expectations.

Does that mean that in documenting lovely companies, I am raising expectations and contributing to dissappointment and unhappiness? When you read about the amazing customer service at Zappos or the amount of money that JustGiving have helped raise for charity, does that make you sad that other companies don’t do more?

I posed this question on Twitter and received the following thoughtful response from Nika:

I think your site is helping to narrow down options to the ones worth spending time and/or money on. Not all choice is bad after all
- @nikachu

What is the harm in raising the standards of loveliness in companies? Surely it will only encourage further innovative loveliness in order to keep us delighted…

What do you think?

Seth on Intangibles

David Haywood Smith — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:23:49 +0000

Seth brainstorms a handful of intangible factors that could have a positive effect on the perception of your company and how you do business. They include: participation, enthusiasm, hope and also generosity:

Did you know that the movie studio bought Robert Downey Jr. a Bentley when Iron Man hit it big?

Seth Godin: How much extra for nice?

David Haywood Smith — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:54:58 +0000

Seth has a great post about the extra cost of being nice: check it out now!