About Us
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
The WIN Story
World Improvement Number started out with a series of ideas that came together at
the same time. The seed was planted one day when our founder, Wayne Clancy was talking
with someone about the negativity in the world today and they replied “why bother
trying, it won't make a difference ... what can one person do anyway?. He had heard
this before, as all of us have, although for some reason this time it stuck with
him … and haunted him. The next day he took his mother to an event where the speaker
was talking about the movie “Pay it Forward”. In this movie, a young boy came up
with an idea to ask people to pay his good deed forward rather than doing something
reciprocal for him. The number of actions grew exponentially after going through
just a few levels of people.
Wayne sat there, scribbled out his ideas on a napkin and thought, “wow, I bet that
our technology could measure the influence and we could create an enabling site
to give
everyone the opportunity to share these positive stories and ideas.
Wouldn't it be neat if we could provide people with a way of measuring the impact
that just one person could have on others around the world?”
So.... in the next hour, the core of the process was born. He was so excited about
the possibilities that he discussed and strategized them with his friends, his colleagues,
his wife Dara, his daughter Megan and his son Dylan. The idea continued to develop
and everyone that heard about the concept got excited. The next step was to name
the venture and after much discussion the name was added; World Improvement Number.
Wayne wanted to make this a reality, and quickly. So he created World Improvement
number Inc. and hired a bright young student named Mandeep to work with Megan and
Dylan on the feasibility of the project during the summer of 2009.
During this development phase, the WIN calculation was debated, re-debated and then
debated again. Many questions were asked; What is the best way of rewarding people
for their actions and giving audience to great ideas? How can we tap into the basic
human characteristic of competition ... in a positive way? How can we make this
site accessible to all people who would like to contribute? How can we engage corporate
businesses so that some of their energy can be directed into supporting activities
that improve our world?
After the summer period when the base research was conducted, Stephanie entered.
Stephanie's role was to design the site, pull it all together, work with the entire
team and have it all ready to launch by spring 2010. Programmers John and Pranay
madly worked away to build the site, getting the final touches put in place and
adjust to the new ideas that would continually come forward.
In order for the site to fully explore the key question, “Can one person really
make a difference?” a couple of key elements were needed;
- We needed to create the algorithm (or math) so that we could track and calculate
each member's World Improvement Number (WIN) which is the total influence that the
member has on other members.
- We also needed a map that would allow us to easily visualize the number. This was
not just any map, we needed a map that would both reflect the members influence
while tracking that influence on a worldwide basis.
The results of these two components will clearly demonstrate the difference that
'
just' one person can make.
Now it was time to create them. Both of these elements presented major technological
challenges. The challenge was to integrate complex math with map technology with
GPS information. In his usual way, John took it on, with a '
hum and a haw' and solved
the problem. We now had a total solution.
When viewed individually, these positive actions and ideas may seem to be insignificant.
However, when the story is told and the measurement is made, it becomes clear that
each and every positive action
can have a significant role in making our
world a more positive place and
one person really can make a difference!
World Improvement Program for Individuals:
(Watch Video Number 1 and 2 on Our Landing Page)
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead
At World Improvement Number (WIN), we go even further! We prove that just one individual can make a difference... a big difference. In fact, it is a part of our mission to give absolutely everyone the opportunity to share stories of positive action and if they choose …. to even become a world leader.
The Key Benefit:
We show that one person (You!) can make a difference … a
BIG difference.
The Program:
Personal World Improvement Number: The WIN point tracking automatically calculates your personal "WIN" and shows you just how significant the ripple effect of a positive action or idea can be. You (as a user) would post your positive experience or idea onto the WIN site after signing up.
Positive stories and actions are divided into four easy categories –
- A positive action that you took for people, animals or the environment.
- A positive idea that you have learned about or thought up (for a full list view examples of positive actions).
- A positive action that someone else did for you.
- A positive action that you learned about whether that be by seeing it in person, seeing it on TV or the internet, reading about it or hearing about it from someone else.
How It Works:
Once your story is posted, you are immediately credited with a point. If you give others access to view your story your points will grow exponentially. Someone then reads your story and is inspired so they click on the inspired link underneath the story. You are then immediately credited with another point. Should another user be inspired by your story, they can click on inspired and you receive another point for each of them. Should you inspire any of those people to post a story and they inspire others, you receive a point for everyone that they inspire and everyone that they inspire and so on and so on.
The possibilities are endless. You could literally inspire thousands of people around the world with a single story. The system will track your total accumulated points, your year to date points and your month to date points. You can have fun competing with your friends in all sorts of ways.
You will be able to track the butterfly effect of your stories about how they have impacted friends, strangers, and communities far and wide.
Download this as a PDF.
World Improvement Number Program for Professional / Trade Associations & Unions:
(See Video Number 7 on Our Landing Page)
The Key Benefit:
The WIN program helps Professional and Trade/Industry Associations significantly enhance their public image by demonstrating the value of their contribution to society.
The Program:
Professional and Trade Associations have many challenges including enhancing the image of their profession / industry / trade, encouraging members to contribute to the communities in which they work, attracting key talent to enter the category and working with government relations amongst others.
A
World Improvement Number can help the association track and quantify the value of the truly positive actions taken by its members, employees, associates and partners. In addition member companies can have their own WIN and tag those stories to multiple levels including their business, location and to the association/industry itself.
The system automatically calculates a WIN number and also creates a knowledge center that can be accessed for training, public relations and best practices. In fact, a WIN number can be a key differentiator when members, potential members, investors, government, employees, potential employees and partners (etc.) consider their alternatives.
Here is how it works:
The association sets up a community in
worldimprovementnumber.com and then encourages its members, employees, channel partners, customers and vendors (etc.) to join and record stories about the positive work that is being accomplished in every part of the industry or trade. There can be an overall WIN number for the association as well as WIN numbers for member companies, members, employees etc.
One of our partners,
TheMindSuite.com can even work with you to consolidate that information from a reporting metrics perspective. For more information about the possibilities of an integrated reporting system including promotional opportunities please visit
www.themindsuite.com/industryimprovementnumber
These individuals then tag those stories of great service, community work, employee relations, and community programs to the association (and company etc.) and a knowledge centre will be established and fed from every location in just about any language. This knowledge centre can be accessed by various participating stakeholders to recognize their work, and by others who may want to support their efforts.
Advertising, sales and marketing efforts can then encourage their target market to join World Improvement Number and view firsthand the stories and case studies of the positive work that is being accomplished throughout the world by the members of that industry or trade.
Download this as a PDF
World Improvement Number Programs for Companies / Businesses
(Watch Video Number 4 on our Landing Page)
The Key Benefit:
The WIN program helps companies of any type demonstrate social responsibility by creating its ‘Business World Improvement Number’ which clearly shows the value of its contribution to customers, employees and the communities within which it operates.
The Program:
Global competition, transparency, educated consumers, the environment and corporate responsibility are all key issues facing companies today. A
Business World Improvement Number can help the organization track and quantify the value of the truly positive actions taken by its employees, associates and partners.
The system automatically calculates a company’s WIN number and also creates a knowledge center that can be accessed for training, best practices and benchmarking. In fact, a company’s WIN number can be a key differentiator when customers, potential customers, employees, potential employees and partners consider their alternatives.
Here is how it works:
The organization sets up a community in
worldimprovementnumber.com and then encourages its employees, channel partners, customers and vendors to join and record stories about the positive work that is being accomplished in every part of the organization. There can be an organizational WIN number as well as WIN numbers for branches, divisions, departments etc.
One of our partners, TheMindSuite.com can even work with you to consolidate that information from a reporting metrics perspective. For more information about the possibilities of an integrated reporting system including promotional opportunities please visit www.themindsuite.com/businessimprovementnumber.
These individuals then tag those stories of great customer service, community work, employee relations, and community programs to the organization and a knowledge centre will be established and fed from every location in just about any language. This knowledge centre can be accessed by various participating stakeholders to recognize their work, and by others who may want to support their efforts.
Advertising, sales and marketing efforts can then encourage their target market to join World Improvement Number and view firsthand the stories and case studies of the positive work that is being accomplished throughout the world.
Download this as a PDF
World Improvement Number Program for Not-for-Profit & Charities:
(Watch video number 3 on our landing page)
The Key Benefit:
The World Improvement Number (WIN) program for Not-for-profit and Charity organizations clearly demonstrates how that organization works and clearly demonstrates a “Return on Investment” to their supporters and potential supporters.
The Program:
Not-for-profits and charities have many challenges including; finding ways to show their value, continually maintain and increase donations, and provide support and encouragement to their employees and volunteers working in often difficult situations.
The system automatically calculates an organization’s WIN number and also creates a knowledge center that can be accessed for training, best practices and benchmarking. In fact, a company’s WIN number can be a key differentiator when donors, potential donors, employees, potential employees and partners consider their alternatives. World Improvement Number helps to demonstrate this “ROI: by capturing and consolidating real stories on field activities going giving great clarity on how the donation money is being used. This will show the true value of the work in a well organized and easily accessible way.
Here is how it works:
The organization sets up a community in
worldimprovementnumber.com and then encourages its members, workers and supporters to join and record stories about the positive work that is being accomplished throughout their area of influence.
These individuals then tag those stories to the organization and a knowledge centre will be established and fed with stories from every location in any language. This knowledge centre can be accessed by supporters to recognize their work, and others who may want to support their efforts through donations.
The organization will have its own WIN number and can easily show the return on investment (ROI) that its supporters are achieving.
The system can be set up for an ongoing group or association or it can be for a specific initiative such as disaster relief. Imagine having many heartfelt positive stories all gathered in one place.
Advertising, canvassing and fundraising efforts can then ask their target market to join World Improvement Number and view firsthand the stories and case studies of the positive work that is being accomplished as a result of their support.
Download this as a PDF
World Improvement Number Programs for Schools:
(Watch Video Number 5 on Our Landing Page)
The Key Benefit:
The WIN program helps schools to document and organize their community efforts and demonstrate the positive outcome of these initiatives to students, parents, teachers and the community.
The Program:
Grade schools have many challenges including; providing means to improve their community, teach the values of contribution to students and parents, continually maintain and increase funding and donations, and provide support and encouragement to their students, parents, faculty and staff.
World Improvement Number can help demonstrate this “Return On Time’ invested by capturing and consolidating stories on the activities going on in the school and the surrounding community. In addition, the learning’s and positive outcomes will be documented for further reflection and inspiration to others, both within the school system and around the world.
Here is how it works:
The school (or group within the school such as a sports team or interest team or parent group) sets up a community in
worldimprovementnumber.com and then encourages its members, fellow students, staff and parents to join and record stories about the positive work that is being accomplished throughout their area of influence.
These individuals then tag those stories to the school community and a knowledge centre will be established and fed with stories from all participants in any language. This knowledge centre can be accessed to help everyone understand how they as a group can improve and better support their communities. In addition this is a way to clearly recognize those who ‘go above and beyond’ in their efforts.
The school group will have its own WIN number and can easily compete in a friendly way with other schools in their respective communities.
The system can be set up for a ongoing initiatives or it can be set up for a specific initiative such as community education, clean up or even disaster relief. Imagine having many heartfelt positive stories all gathered in one place.
The groups can then gain community support when they ask others to join World Improvement Number and view firsthand the stories and case studies of the positive work that is being accomplished as a result of their support.
Download this as a PDF
World Improvement Number Program for Universities & Colleges:
(Watch Video Number 6 on Our Landing Page)
The Key Benefit:
The WIN program helps Colleges and Universities to document and organize their community efforts and demonstrate the positive outcome of these initiatives to students, professors and the community.
The Program:
Colleges and Universities are often an incubator for social innovation, community development and education. Many great social programs were first thought through in an academic environment. Many students and professors seek to explore new ideas and find ways to improve the world through discussion, debate, experimentation and action.
Often the true impact of these efforts can be lost because they are not linked together to show the greater good.
World Improvement Number can help show the greater impact and demonstrate the “Return on Time Invested” so that everyone involved can track the progress. In addition the learning’s and positive outcomes will be documented for further reflection and inspiration to others both within the academic environment and around the world.
Here is how it works:
The University or College (or group within … such as a sports team, faculty or special interest team) sets up a community in
worldimprovementnumber.com and then encourages its members, fellow students, staff and supporters to join and record stories about the positive work that is being accomplished throughout their area of influence.
These individuals then tag those stories to the appropriate community and a knowledge centre will be established and fed with stories from all participants in any language. This knowledge centre can be accessed to help everyone understand how they as a group can improve and better support their communities and the world. In addition this is a way to clearly recognize those who ‘go above and beyond’ in their efforts.
The group will have its own WIN number and can easily compete in a friendly way with other Colleges and Universities around the world.
The system can be set up for a ongoing initiatives or it can be set up for a specific initiative such as community education, clean up or even disaster relief. Imagine having many heartfelt positive stories all gathered in one place.
The groups can then gain support when they ask others to join World Improvement Number and view firsthand the stories and case studies of the positive work that is being accomplished as a result of their support.
Download this as a PDF