From Dreamers To Doers
We believe everyone should feel free to be themselves at work. We’re powering an internal movement of belonging. To us, a movement is the collective drive to achieve a set of shared goals in pursuit of an ambitious vision. Movements don’t happen overnight. And they don’t happen alone. Movements require the organization of many people working together toward a shared goal.
Read his story
Ben shares his Chem-IQ SM journey and the importance of purpose in every move.
1
Tell us more about Chem-IQ SM. What’s it all about?
The Chem-IQ SM project involves socializing and promoting awareness of the method that we at VF have developed to proactively screen any chemicals used within our supply chain. This method is called Chem-IQSM.
The data we generate helps us protect the environment, safeguard workers, and prevent non-compliant products from being made. Chem-IQSM is a big part of how we create safe products that we can stand behind, and that our customers can depend upon. It is strongly aligned with the interests of VF as a purpose-led company.
2
Have you faced any challenges so far? If so, how have you overcome them?
The challenges we’ve faced are common to any project that introduces something different to what has gone before. You must first stimulate interest, then deliver relevant, concise, and clear information. Any questions or concerns potential partners or stakeholders have should be acknowledged and resolved in a positive manner.
Our approach has always been to be collaborative and transparent. We champion the benefits of our system, while acknowledging that no system is perfect, and mistakes are part of the learning and development process. But our purpose keeps us focused on pushing forward and adding value.
3
What’s the most important quality in making your project a success?
“Performance Meets Purpose” is the statement that best describes the qualities of our project. It’s all about unleashing our ambition, and making it count. As an organization, we’ve identified a responsibility to do the right thing by our suppliers, our customers, and the planet – and we’re doing something about it. Chem-IQSM is just one of many projects that help us to deliver on our Purpose Statement. By making this screening method accessible and well-known, we can maximize our positive impact on the world.
4
You obviously have a lot of passion. How do you bring that to life in the workplace, day-to-day?
Passion, when allied with preparation and knowledge, makes a great recipe for achieving your objectives. It’s crucial to believe in the work you are doing and understand the positive impacts that happen when you’re successful. By staying focused on what the end goals mean to you (while working through the strategies and tactics to achieve them), your passion can make a real difference in the workplace.
5
Do you have any advice for people wondering how to make their ideas or goals come to life, whether that’s inside work or out of it? What would you say to help others go “from Dreamers to Doers”?
To make ideas and goals come to life you should know and trust in your own strengths and abilities, but also the abilities of others. Realize the strengths that lie around you, whether within your individual team or your broader organization. You can use these whenever you need additional knowledge, input, motivation, or inspiration. By working collaboratively and involving others.