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Can Companies Have Positive Intetions? | Peeter Rebane | TEDxTartu


we often talk about people having

we often talk about people having ethical intentions can a company also

ethical intentions can a company also

ethical intentions can a company also have an ethical intention do you have to

have an ethical intention do you have to

have an ethical intention do you have to be greedy and selfish to be an

be greedy and selfish to be an

be greedy and selfish to be an entrepreneur what are the intentions of

entrepreneur what are the intentions of

entrepreneur what are the intentions of intrapreneurs what are the interventions

intrapreneurs what are the interventions

intrapreneurs what are the interventions of entrepreneurs is starting up a

of entrepreneurs is starting up a

of entrepreneurs is starting up a company which companies will prosper in

company which companies will prosper in

company which companies will prosper in this new century during the Industrial

this new century during the Industrial

this new century during the Industrial Revolution it was a motor that you have

Revolution it was a motor that you have

Revolution it was a motor that you have to make most money at any cost in the

to make most money at any cost in the

to make most money at any cost in the last century

last century

last century we started to care about charitable

we started to care about charitable

we started to care about charitable giving by corporations I’m going to

giving by corporations I’m going to

giving by corporations I’m going to demonstrate today that we are turning

demonstrate today that we are turning

demonstrate today that we are turning for it that in order to prosper in this

for it that in order to prosper in this

for it that in order to prosper in this century

century

century a company has to be based on ethical

a company has to be based on ethical

a company has to be based on ethical truthful positive intentions I’m a

truthful positive intentions I’m a

truthful positive intentions I’m a serial entrepreneur I started my first

serial entrepreneur I started my first

serial entrepreneur I started my first company already while at Harvard

company already while at Harvard

company already while at Harvard together with my brother and I think I

together with my brother and I think I

together with my brother and I think I developed an addiction for

developed an addiction for

developed an addiction for entrepreneurship we produced concerts

entrepreneurship we produced concerts

entrepreneurship we produced concerts for people like Madonna Elton John built

for people like Madonna Elton John built

for people like Madonna Elton John built cinemas distributed films for Walt

cinemas distributed films for Walt

cinemas distributed films for Walt Disney Company we established over 26

Disney Company we established over 26

Disney Company we established over 26 companies good companies created over

companies good companies created over

companies good companies created over 2,000 jobs but more and more I found

2,000 jobs but more and more I found

2,000 jobs but more and more I found myself at different meetings and

myself at different meetings and

myself at different meetings and listening to people talking about bigger

listening to people talking about bigger

listening to people talking about bigger and bigger more money faster and it just

and bigger more money faster and it just

and bigger more money faster and it just didn’t work anymore then five years ago

didn’t work anymore then five years ago

didn’t work anymore then five years ago I lost my mother and I really thought

I lost my mother and I really thought

I lost my mother and I really thought Who am I we are here for such a limited

Who am I we are here for such a limited

Who am I we are here for such a limited amount of time what am I doing here

amount of time what am I doing here

amount of time what am I doing here what’s my intention in life and I went

what’s my intention in life and I went

what’s my intention in life and I went on to study different philosophies

on to study different philosophies

on to study different philosophies Buddhist New Age spiritual went on trips

Buddhist New Age spiritual went on trips

Buddhist New Age spiritual went on trips participate in ceremonies and I think I

participate in ceremonies and I think I

participate in ceremonies and I think I came to a realization that happiness

came to a realization that happiness

came to a realization that happiness means not

means not

means not doing anything being happy with what you

doing anything being happy with what you

doing anything being happy with what you have so I actually lost all motivation I

have so I actually lost all motivation I

have so I actually lost all motivation I swore I will not disturb lished another

swore I will not disturb lished another

swore I will not disturb lished another company I just thought I’ll chill out

company I just thought I’ll chill out

company I just thought I’ll chill out I’ll meditate the windsurf for personal

I’ll meditate the windsurf for personal

I’ll meditate the windsurf for personal pleasure or you could detach yourself

pleasure or you could detach yourself

pleasure or you could detach yourself you could go to a cave up in a mountain

you could go to a cave up in a mountain

you could go to a cave up in a mountain but is that my intention to live is that

but is that my intention to live is that

but is that my intention to live is that why I’m here seeing all this suffering

why I’m here seeing all this suffering

why I’m here seeing all this suffering injustice in the world it didn’t make

injustice in the world it didn’t make

injustice in the world it didn’t make sense so I start to explore what I’ve

sense so I start to explore what I’ve

sense so I start to explore what I’ve been doing I’ve been creating positive

been doing I’ve been creating positive

been doing I’ve been creating positive emotions for others with all of those

emotions for others with all of those

emotions for others with all of those companies in the past and I realized

companies in the past and I realized

companies in the past and I realized that my calling my true calling has

that my calling my true calling has

that my calling my true calling has really been to tell stories to really

really been to tell stories to really

really been to tell stories to really take true stories from life and bring

take true stories from life and bring

take true stories from life and bring them in front of people so they can

them in front of people so they can

them in front of people so they can relate to each other better but why do

relate to each other better but why do

relate to each other better but why do even that is it Fame is it money I was

even that is it Fame is it money I was

even that is it Fame is it money I was still confused until something crazy

still confused until something crazy

still confused until something crazy happened to me at Kong Film Festival I

happened to me at Kong Film Festival I

happened to me at Kong Film Festival I met the French producer I was introduced

met the French producer I was introduced

met the French producer I was introduced on the first thing he says is you have

on the first thing he says is you have

on the first thing he says is you have to meet the Oracle at that point I was

to meet the Oracle at that point I was

to meet the Oracle at that point I was thinking okay is he going to ask next

thinking okay is he going to ask next

thinking okay is he going to ask next that do I have to take the red or the

that do I have to take the red or the

that do I have to take the red or the blue pill well next day I had a personal

blue pill well next day I had a personal

blue pill well next day I had a personal private audience with the natural Oracle

private audience with the natural Oracle

private audience with the natural Oracle the Oracle of the Lai Lama and I asked

the Oracle of the Lai Lama and I asked

the Oracle of the Lai Lama and I asked him why are you here at this glamorous

him why are you here at this glamorous

him why are you here at this glamorous crazy glitzy Film Festival and he said

crazy glitzy Film Festival and he said

crazy glitzy Film Festival and he said something that made so much sense

something that made so much sense

something that made so much sense I’m here because film is a powerful

I’m here because film is a powerful

I’m here because film is a powerful medium and you can do a lot of good or

medium and you can do a lot of good or

medium and you can do a lot of good or low up bad with it and that put

low up bad with it and that put

low up bad with it and that put everything into perspective of what I

everything into perspective of what I

everything into perspective of what I want to do what I need to do so then I

want to do what I need to do so then I

want to do what I need to do so then I went on a journey I directed a concert

went on a journey I directed a concert

went on a journey I directed a concert film and a documentary for Robin

film and a documentary for Robin

film and a documentary for Robin Williams I love it for equal partnership

Williams I love it for equal partnership

Williams I love it for equal partnership rights law

rights law

rights law first owner to become the first

first owner to become the first

first owner to become the first post-soviet country with an equal rights

post-soviet country with an equal rights

post-soviet country with an equal rights law I went to the mountains of Tibet and

law I went to the mountains of Tibet and

law I went to the mountains of Tibet and followed a young monk around which grew

followed a young monk around which grew

followed a young monk around which grew into the Tashi Delek and it made me grow

into the Tashi Delek and it made me grow

into the Tashi Delek and it made me grow as a person it really made me understand

as a person it really made me understand

as a person it really made me understand that you don’t need to travel to the

that you don’t need to travel to the

that you don’t need to travel to the Himalayas to find yourself and it

Himalayas to find yourself and it

Himalayas to find yourself and it empowered me as a filmmaker so now I’m

empowered me as a filmmaker so now I’m

empowered me as a filmmaker so now I’m on a new adventure it’s a forbidden love

on a new adventure it’s a forbidden love

on a new adventure it’s a forbidden love story called a Firebird about a young

story called a Firebird about a young

story called a Firebird about a young conscript who is serving the last month

conscript who is serving the last month

conscript who is serving the last month of his military sentence military

of his military sentence military

of his military sentence military conscription time in 1978 Soviet Estonia

conscription time in 1978 Soviet Estonia

conscription time in 1978 Soviet Estonia and who falls in love with his superior

and who falls in love with his superior

and who falls in love with his superior officer Rahman and we are now costing

officer Rahman and we are now costing

officer Rahman and we are now costing financing that would be a subject for

financing that would be a subject for

financing that would be a subject for another TEDx talk back in doing again

another TEDx talk back in doing again

another TEDx talk back in doing again what I used to do what I loved and what

what I used to do what I loved and what

what I used to do what I loved and what I loved again for a totally new reason

I loved again for a totally new reason

I loved again for a totally new reason and thanks to the Firebird I met Tom

and thanks to the Firebird I met Tom

and thanks to the Firebird I met Tom Pryor and we became co-operators and he

Pryor and we became co-operators and he

Pryor and we became co-operators and he introduced me to an idea which he came

introduced me to an idea which he came

introduced me to an idea which he came up with while shooting as an actor on a

up with while shooting as an actor on a

up with while shooting as an actor on a movie called Kingsman Secret Service so

movie called Kingsman Secret Service so

movie called Kingsman Secret Service so now I’m again a co-founder of an amazing

now I’m again a co-founder of an amazing

now I’m again a co-founder of an amazing new global IT company even though five

new global IT company even though five

new global IT company even though five years ago I swore that I will never ever

years ago I swore that I will never ever

years ago I swore that I will never ever do again any business it’s a free

do again any business it’s a free

do again any business it’s a free platform for film recommendations by

platform for film recommendations by

platform for film recommendations by professional filmmakers like sitting

professional filmmakers like sitting

professional filmmakers like sitting down with a movie star who tells you

down with a movie star who tells you

down with a movie star who tells you what film to watch and white kind of a

what film to watch and white kind of a

what film to watch and white kind of a little bit like TEDx that you’re sharing

little bit like TEDx that you’re sharing

little bit like TEDx that you’re sharing knowledge with other people and everyone

knowledge with other people and everyone

knowledge with other people and everyone kept telling us wow this is a cool idea

kept telling us wow this is a cool idea

kept telling us wow this is a cool idea you should now go and raise a couple of

you should now go and raise a couple of

you should now go and raise a couple of million dollars and go faster the market

million dollars and go faster the market

million dollars and go faster the market and expand to as many countries as

and expand to as many countries as

and expand to as many countries as possible and we were like stop this

possible and we were like stop this

possible and we were like stop this doesn’t feel right why are we doing this

doesn’t feel right why are we doing this

doesn’t feel right why are we doing this and we realize that it’s not profit that

and we realize that it’s not profit that

and we realize that it’s not profit that matters in this it’s sharing of

matters in this it’s sharing of

matters in this it’s sharing of knowledge it’s changing the way that

knowledge it’s changing the way that

knowledge it’s changing the way that people discover little films that

people discover little films that

people discover little films that maybe then have the marketing budget

maybe then have the marketing budget

maybe then have the marketing budget never had the exposure but deserved to

never had the exposure but deserved to

never had the exposure but deserved to be seen the stories that deserve to be

be seen the stories that deserve to be

be seen the stories that deserve to be told so we decided to proceed

told so we decided to proceed

told so we decided to proceed differently instead of hiring a huge

differently instead of hiring a huge

differently instead of hiring a huge staff and burning a lot of cash we

staff and burning a lot of cash we

staff and burning a lot of cash we actually went and recruited volunteers

actually went and recruited volunteers

actually went and recruited volunteers we have now a dozen people working for

we have now a dozen people working for

we have now a dozen people working for us in Malta Portugal France England

us in Malta Portugal France England

us in Malta Portugal France England Estonia America is amazing because

Estonia America is amazing because

Estonia America is amazing because there’s a totally different balance of

there’s a totally different balance of

there’s a totally different balance of relations of chemistry there’s a totally

relations of chemistry there’s a totally

relations of chemistry there’s a totally different respect when everybody gives

different respect when everybody gives

different respect when everybody gives their free time to make an idea happen

their free time to make an idea happen

their free time to make an idea happen and we decided to establish the film a

and we decided to establish the film a

and we decided to establish the film a foundation to give back half of any

foundation to give back half of any

foundation to give back half of any money that we will ever make and to give

money that we will ever make and to give

money that we will ever make and to give that specifically to first-time

that specifically to first-time

that specifically to first-time filmmakers actors producers directors to

filmmakers actors producers directors to

filmmakers actors producers directors to help them realize their dreams and that

help them realize their dreams and that

help them realize their dreams and that feels good it’s a business but its

feels good it’s a business but its

feels good it’s a business but its intentions I believe are truthful

intentions I believe are truthful

intentions I believe are truthful ethical and positive and skeptics ask me

ethical and positive and skeptics ask me

ethical and positive and skeptics ask me well how will you get this financed will

well how will you get this financed will

well how will you get this financed will remains to be seen it’s a work in

remains to be seen it’s a work in

remains to be seen it’s a work in progress

progress

progress probably in a year’s time I can tell you

probably in a year’s time I can tell you

probably in a year’s time I can tell you exactly but I’m absolutely sure that

exactly but I’m absolutely sure that

exactly but I’m absolutely sure that there are investors who also share the

there are investors who also share the

there are investors who also share the vision who invest in companies I’ve

vision who invest in companies I’ve

vision who invest in companies I’ve already met some of them who invest in

already met some of them who invest in

already met some of them who invest in social impact companies so if you want

social impact companies so if you want

social impact companies so if you want to join us let me know and what do I

to join us let me know and what do I

to join us let me know and what do I mean by positive ethical intentions and

mean by positive ethical intentions and

mean by positive ethical intentions and by the way that joining bit was not a

by the way that joining bit was not a

by the way that joining bit was not a joke we are really looking for cool

joke we are really looking for cool

joke we are really looking for cool people especially a CEO the first thing

people especially a CEO the first thing

people especially a CEO the first thing that I can think of is not hurting

that I can think of is not hurting

that I can think of is not hurting others being truly compassionate in your

others being truly compassionate in your

others being truly compassionate in your decision-making process

second creating positive social impact

second creating positive social impact for all stakeholders involved for your

for all stakeholders involved for your

for all stakeholders involved for your employees stuff for your clients for

employees stuff for your clients for

employees stuff for your clients for your partners for your community for the

your partners for your community for the

your partners for your community for the culture for the education for the

culture for the education for the

culture for the education for the environment weighing the different

environment weighing the different

environment weighing the different impact of your decisions and being

impact of your decisions and being

impact of your decisions and being really really truthful about your

really really truthful about your

really really truthful about your intention not lying to yourself not

intention not lying to yourself not

intention not lying to yourself not having it just as a declaration on paper

having it just as a declaration on paper

having it just as a declaration on paper to satisfy some kind of new fad in the

to satisfy some kind of new fad in the

to satisfy some kind of new fad in the corporate world but since we are so

corporate world but since we are so

corporate world but since we are so conditioned by the way we were brought

conditioned by the way we were brought

conditioned by the way we were brought up by the society by our parents by the

up by the society by our parents by the

up by the society by our parents by the teachers you really need to question

teachers you really need to question

teachers you really need to question your intentions you need to question

your intentions you need to question

your intentions you need to question everything to be sure that it’s not that

everything to be sure that it’s not that

everything to be sure that it’s not that somebody has told you this is so this is

somebody has told you this is so this is

somebody has told you this is so this is right this is wrong but there is really

right this is wrong but there is really

right this is wrong but there is really your true inner feeling from the bottom

your true inner feeling from the bottom

your true inner feeling from the bottom of your heart so going back to the wider

of your heart so going back to the wider

of your heart so going back to the wider world I then also try to apply this

world I then also try to apply this

world I then also try to apply this thinking this new way of thinking in my

thinking this new way of thinking in my

thinking this new way of thinking in my investing strategy so I met some bankers

investing strategy so I met some bankers

investing strategy so I met some bankers in London and I asked them for advice

in London and I asked them for advice

in London and I asked them for advice I’d like to invite invest in ethical

I’d like to invite invest in ethical

I’d like to invite invest in ethical companies and they looked at me

companies and they looked at me

companies and they looked at me strangely and said well most of our

strangely and said well most of our

strangely and said well most of our clients never asked this they just ask

clients never asked this they just ask

clients never asked this they just ask us to maximize their return on

us to maximize their return on

us to maximize their return on investment and then they told me about

investment and then they told me about

investment and then they told me about something called the vise index fund

something called the vise index fund

something called the vise index fund which actually invests into guns

which actually invests into guns

which actually invests into guns pharmaceuticals tobacco and every other

pharmaceuticals tobacco and every other

pharmaceuticals tobacco and every other evil kind of vice you can think of it’s

evil kind of vice you can think of it’s

evil kind of vice you can think of it’s very profitable and I was honestly

very profitable and I was honestly

very profitable and I was honestly pulled by the idea so I googled what

pulled by the idea so I googled what

pulled by the idea so I googled what percentage of investment funds actually

percentage of investment funds actually

percentage of investment funds actually follow ethical or some sort of ethical

follow ethical or some sort of ethical

follow ethical or some sort of ethical standards at least what do you think

0.5% of investment funds in the world

0.5% of investment funds in the world according to Google but I knew that such

according to Google but I knew that such

according to Google but I knew that such companies exist because also consumers

companies exist because also consumers

companies exist because also consumers are becoming more and more aware and

are becoming more and more aware and

are becoming more and more aware and they are building with their money and I

they are building with their money and I

they are building with their money and I believe truly that ethical companies

believe truly that ethical companies

believe truly that ethical companies companies with positive intentions also

companies with positive intentions also

companies with positive intentions also create positive long-term loyalty so I’d

create positive long-term loyalty so I’d

create positive long-term loyalty so I’d like to share with you some of these

like to share with you some of these

like to share with you some of these companies which have inspired us

companies which have inspired us

companies which have inspired us companies which share similar core

companies which share similar core

companies which share similar core values first a company founded by Blake

values first a company founded by Blake

values first a company founded by Blake Mycoskie

Mycoskie

Mycoskie Tom’s which has a really interesting

Tom’s which has a really interesting

Tom’s which has a really interesting ethics of one-for-one every pair of

ethics of one-for-one every pair of

ethics of one-for-one every pair of shoes glasses etc that you buy they

shoes glasses etc that you buy they

shoes glasses etc that you buy they donate one to a child in need in a

donate one to a child in need in a

donate one to a child in need in a developing country or Ballou a water

developing country or Ballou a water

developing country or Ballou a water company founded by a filmmaker Reed

company founded by a filmmaker Reed

company founded by a filmmaker Reed badger that makes bottles from old

badger that makes bottles from old

badger that makes bottles from old firefighters water hoses that actually

firefighters water hoses that actually

firefighters water hoses that actually gives all of its profits obvious lost

gives all of its profits obvious lost

gives all of its profits obvious lost the financing costs and overhead to

the financing costs and overhead to

the financing costs and overhead to water it so that people again who don’t

water it so that people again who don’t

water it so that people again who don’t have access to clean water would have or

have access to clean water would have or

have access to clean water would have or participant films one of my absolute

participant films one of my absolute

participant films one of my absolute role models established by ebay

role models established by ebay

role models established by ebay co-founder jeff skoll

co-founder jeff skoll

co-founder jeff skoll he’s produced spotlight he named me

he’s produced spotlight he named me

he’s produced spotlight he named me Malala and Inconvenient Truth amazing

Malala and Inconvenient Truth amazing

Malala and Inconvenient Truth amazing films 111 Academy Awards a great example

films 111 Academy Awards a great example

films 111 Academy Awards a great example of how you can be financially

of how you can be financially

of how you can be financially sustainable while creating awareness as

sustainable while creating awareness as

sustainable while creating awareness as a company and there’s even at least one

a company and there’s even at least one

a company and there’s even at least one country in the world I just returned

country in the world I just returned

country in the world I just returned last week from Bhutan and had the

last week from Bhutan and had the

last week from Bhutan and had the amazing experience of having lunch with

amazing experience of having lunch with

amazing experience of having lunch with the former Queen the current king mother

the former Queen the current king mother

the former Queen the current king mother and it’s a country which really has set

and it’s a country which really has set

and it’s a country which really has set the positive intention of measuring

the positive intention of measuring

the positive intention of measuring progress according to nine categories

progress according to nine categories

progress according to nine categories one of which is living standards so

one of which is living standards so

one of which is living standards so instead of measuring gross national

instead of measuring gross national

instead of measuring gross national product

product

product they are measuring gross national

they are measuring gross national

they are measuring gross national happiness so in summary I believe there

happiness so in summary I believe there

happiness so in summary I believe there is solid proof that entrepreneurship was

is solid proof that entrepreneurship was

is solid proof that entrepreneurship was positive ethical truthful intentions

positive ethical truthful intentions

positive ethical truthful intentions works I think when you give you also get

works I think when you give you also get

works I think when you give you also get back

back

back it is financeable it is sustainable it

it is financeable it is sustainable it

it is financeable it is sustainable it might be scary at first but it’s okay to

might be scary at first but it’s okay to

might be scary at first but it’s okay to be afraid it’s scary to throw away

be afraid it’s scary to throw away

be afraid it’s scary to throw away everything you’ve been taught in your

everything you’ve been taught in your

everything you’ve been taught in your life like myself over the years of

life like myself over the years of

life like myself over the years of maximizing shareholder profits of this

maximizing shareholder profits of this

maximizing shareholder profits of this is right this is wrong but I believe

is right this is wrong but I believe

is right this is wrong but I believe it’s possible I can see it’s possible

it’s possible I can see it’s possible

it’s possible I can see it’s possible you just have to make sure that your own

you just have to make sure that your own

you just have to make sure that your own person intention is truthful that your

person intention is truthful that your

person intention is truthful that your company’s intention is 100% truthful and

company’s intention is 100% truthful and

company’s intention is 100% truthful and I believe that anybody can do it you can

I believe that anybody can do it you can

I believe that anybody can do it you can do it

politicians tell us that change takes

politicians tell us that change takes years the change takes time I don’t

years the change takes time I don’t

years the change takes time I don’t believe that dear what is society is it

believe that dear what is society is it

believe that dear what is society is it not me and you and you and you and if we

not me and you and you and you and if we

not me and you and you and you and if we change our thinking right now if you

change our thinking right now if you

change our thinking right now if you make one little change in your thinking

make one little change in your thinking

make one little change in your thinking doesn’t society change immediately

doesn’t society change immediately

doesn’t society change immediately instantly why do you need years to think

instantly why do you need years to think

instantly why do you need years to think about it so I’d like to ask you two you

about it so I’d like to ask you two you

about it so I’d like to ask you two you ever ask yourself what’s your intention

ever ask yourself what’s your intention

ever ask yourself what’s your intention to make money and I’d like to to close

to make money and I’d like to to close

to make money and I’d like to to close your eyes for a second for a little

your eyes for a second for a little

your eyes for a second for a little moment and think about your life what’s

moment and think about your life what’s

moment and think about your life what’s your true intention

or your actions in line with that

or your actions in line with that intention are you absolutely honest to

intention are you absolutely honest to

intention are you absolutely honest to yourself that this is what you want if

yourself that this is what you want if

yourself that this is what you want if not why not try to change something

not why not try to change something

not why not try to change something think of one little thing that you could

think of one little thing that you could

think of one little thing that you could change today right now it’s your choice

change today right now it’s your choice

change today right now it’s your choice could be surprised at what happens in

could be surprised at what happens in

could be surprised at what happens in your life so that day at can film

your life so that day at can film

your life so that day at can film festival I asked Oracle one more

festival I asked Oracle one more

festival I asked Oracle one more question what can I do to change the

question what can I do to change the

question what can I do to change the world and he chuckled and laughed a bit

world and he chuckled and laughed a bit

world and he chuckled and laughed a bit and then he replied to me you cannot

and then he replied to me you cannot

and then he replied to me you cannot change the world you can only change

change the world you can only change

change the world you can only change yourself thank you

”

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