Insights from Whispering Trees

At Carrot Business Networking, we believe that the best business happens when people come together to share not just opportunities, but ideas and inspiration. Our group thrives on meaningful conversations that help us challenge our assumptions, learn from each other, and grow both professionally and personally. Tomorrow, Tim Strutz from Whispering Trees will be our main speaker focussing on what it really means to place ethos and values at the centre of our organisations.
It’s easy to talk about values. Many organisations have them written down somewhere, but all too often, they end up as background noise - something we refer to, rather than something we live and breathe. Tim brings a different perspective. At Whispering Trees, values aren’t just part of the conversation; they guide the charity’s actions, its culture, and ultimately, its impact.

The power of ‘Why’

Drawing on Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle, Tim will invite us to look beyond what we do or how we do it, and focus instead on why we do it. It’s a deceptively simple question, but one that often unlocks the deepest motivation behind our work.
When organisations are clear about their ‘why’, decisions become easier and more consistent. Challenges become opportunities to return to core principles, rather than sources of confusion. As Whispering Trees demonstrates, living by your values means creating an environment where both people and purpose can thrive.

What strong values make possible

This approach isn’t just for charities. Whether you’re running a business or a social enterprise, having a clear ethos provides a foundation for trust, loyalty, and adaptability. It sets the tone from the top, shapes how teams collaborate, and even influences the way clients and customers respond.
Tim’s experience at Whispering Trees shows how values can be a practical, guiding force - they influence recruitment, partnerships and keep everyone grounded during periods of change or uncertainty.

An invitation to Reflect

Tomorrow’s talk is an invitation: to reflect on what really drives our own organisations, to question whether our values are truly at the heart of what we do, and to explore how we can move from words to action. These are the kinds of conversations that make Carrot Business Networking such a valuable community. They make us supportive, open-minded and committed to doing business with purpose.

At Carrot Business Networking, we believe that sharing our expertise and experiences makes us all stronger. Each week, one of our members brings a fresh perspective to the table - sparking new ideas and challenging us to reflect. If you’re interested in joining a community where values and genuine connections matter, we’d be delighted to welcome you to a future session. Together, let’s continue building organisations with purpose at their core.