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Credo: James Kao
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GreenCitizen CEO James Kao says he is driven by the need to stop the current global dumping crisis.
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - James Kao, CEO of GreenCitizen, located in Los Altos, tells us what principles guide his career, his life philosophy, where he finds inspiration and how he balances business and good work.
Why do you do what you do? What made you choose this for a career?
After working for Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle and starting three software companies, I was looking for something more challenging and meaningful. GreenCitizen’s long-term business mission is to develop a comprehensive collection, tracking and processing system that provides convenient, accountable and safe electronic recycling and material reclaim in the U.S. and eventually for the rest of the world, to stop the current global dumping crisis. The crisis and the opportunity is so big, difficult and pressing, it energizes me and my team at GreenCitizen to continue to find broader and deeper solutions to address this crisis every day.
What do you consider to be the guiding principles or philosophy that have led you to your current position in life?
Doing good for the environment, society, family, customers, employees and investors. Also, always do more than asked for, be persistent through good times and bad, and never give up or lose sight of your big goal at all times. Don’t get annoyed or distracted by temporary setbacks, inconveniences and sacrifices.
Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? If so, what religion or philosophy or set of beliefs guides your spirituality?
Not particularly, but I believe in leaving the earth a better place than when I am here. That is a philosophy — if one does that, he will be welcome everywhere. Don’t worry about where you’re going to end up. You’re going to end up somewhere, and if you do good, you’ll be welcome everywhere.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in success for individuals which are able to launch successful business ventures, which have gone through a lot of obstacles and have come out surviving and stronger. As far as I feel, if a business has not gone through a couple of downturns and come out stronger, it has not been tested.
How do you balance good works and business?
Warren Buffett says, lesson one: Don’t lose money. Lesson two: Don’t forget rule No. 1. When you’re running a business, that’s critical. Don’t lose money. The first rule in doing any business, especially a socially responsible business such as GreenCitizen, is to not lose money. Then you can survive to do more good. Don’t lose money and you can continue to do more and more for the environment and the customer will come.
Comments from Examiner Readers
5:58 PM MST on Tue., Aug. 5, 2008 re: "Credo: Israel Cason, founder of I Can't, We Can"
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Examiner Reader E. Swartz said:
The article by Stephen Janis about Israel Cason was outstanding and should be very helpful for anyone who is struggling with addictions. He has turned his life around and is helping others to do the same. I think his advice on finding something that you can devout your life to is especially helpful.
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Finding Normal said:
A one size fits all attitude will not work when treating addiction. Those that have succeeded on Methadone or Suboxone do not claim it is the only way to get clean but abstinance proponents claim their way is the only way. This makes no sense. Also, it is nonsense for someone to contributeo the conversation if the only experience with addiction they have is a relative that accidentally overdosed from medication prescribed for pain. Where is the experience with addiction there?
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MAMAorg said:
This is what treating addiction is all about and proof it can be done and people can live a drug free life. Methadone is not the answer to our addiction problems in this country. It only replaces one addiction for another. Methadone is currently the #1 killer of a prescription narcotic and these deaths are coming from clinics, pain management and the diversion from both sources. Using Methadone for a drug substitute and calling it therapy is out of control. These clinics are not producing drug free patrons and are adding in spreading the myths which are causing a false sense of safety with this lethal and addictive narcotic. Methadone is a multi-billion dollar industry and the thousands that are dying yearly mean nothing to government agencies such as SAMHSA who supports it's use for addiction. The FDA turns a blind eye to these victims and allows this poison to be handed out like aspirin. This is ludicrous and something must be done. Mothers Against Medical Abuse. Org
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Examiner Reader said:
Great artist, great profile.
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Examiner Reader said:
Wonderful article, although maybe a tad short, giving it a nod to Wordsworth's "...judicious unfinish." A quiet fan. hh
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Joseph Persichini, Jr. said:
Great article!
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