Only by planning for the unexpected can businesses succeed in a future that will no doubt be filled with even more uncertainty.
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Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview with Aaron Hilton, CEO of PowerPlay. PowerPlay is a groundbreaking Web3 protocol that incentivizes communities to embrace renewable energy through gamification.
Founded in March 2022 by Aaron Hilton, along with Damian Shaw-Williams as the COO and Phoenix Shaw-Collery as the Creative Director and CMO, PowerPlay brings almost 30 years of combined experience in the renewable energy sector.
In this interview, Aaron Hilton shares insights into PowerPlay’s unique approach, offering a standard tariff for families while providing opportunities to earn significant discounts by increasing their use of clean energy during the day.
Aaron emphasizes the importance of employee happiness, creating a supportive and inspiring workplace. Furthermore, he discusses the challenges and opportunities businesses face in addressing climate change and the significance of embracing innovation for a sustainable future.
Join us as we explore the world of PowerPlay and their mission to revolutionize the renewable energy landscape through gamification and community engagement.
Check out more interviews with entrepreneurs here.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Aaron Hilton: PowerPlay is a new Web3 protocol that incentivises communities to use renewable energy through gamification. PowerPlay’s mission is to help people who are unable to install solar gain access to cheaper energy by rewarding them for using the renewable energy already in the grid each day.
Users don’t need solar or batteries. Anyone without solar already installed can sign up. Users join a PowerPlay partner energy provider and have a smart metre installed to get up and running.
PowerPlay was founded by Aaron Hilton (CEO), Damian Shaw-Williams (COO) and Phoenix Shaw-Collery (Creative Director and CMO) in March 2022. Combined, they have almost 30 years of experience in the renewable energy sector.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Aaron Hilton: It’s common knowledge that people want a cheaper power bill and that we need to use fewer fossil fuels. PowerPlay has made it easy to deliver both.
We offer consumers a standard tariff so families can budget while also offering a way to earn big discounts by simply using more clean energy during the day and less fossil fuel-based energy in the evening.
PowerPlay was founded by me, Damian Shaw-Williams (chief operating officer) and Phoenix Shaw-Collery (creative director and chief marketing officer) in March 2022. Combined, we have almost 30 years of experience in the renewable energy sector.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, are an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Aaron Hilton: The world is faced with some very big challenges, and people are worried about them.
If an employer offers not only a wage but also a chance to work on things that are making the world better, that is always going to win over a job simply offering a wage.
Creating a fun place to work that is supportive and feels safe is also really important. I also believe that companies, like people, must be brave. If they are going to inspire their people to do their best, that company needs to stand for more than just the bottom dollar.
Here is a two-fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Aaron Hilton: ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. This book taught me that true success comes from helping as many people as possible.
According to Napoleon Hill, when you focus on providing significant value to the world, some of that value will inevitably flow back to you in various forms, including financial rewards.
This concept is based on the notion that success is a byproduct of serving others, rather than a goal in and of itself.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Aaron Hilton: To me the real challenge is climate change, as the climate gets worse then the demand and urgency for solutions will only get more profound.
Companies are being called upon to rethink their operations, supply chains, and product offerings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources, and embrace renewable energy sources.
Any business that can deliver a superior impact in this area is going to be successful. By embracing innovation, businesses can help contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to come – and build a successful business along the way.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Aaron Hilton: The most underestimated challenge is definitely macro and uncontrollable events coming out of nowhere and blindsiding you. I guess that is what the saying ‘expect the unexpected’ is referring to.
Whether it’s economic downturns and geopolitical upheavals or natural disasters and global pandemics, unexpected events can swiftly disrupt operations, market conditions, and the overall trajectory of a business.
Only by planning for the unexpected can businesses succeed in a future that will no doubt be filled with even more uncertainty.
What does “success” in 2023 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Aaron Hilton: For PowerPlay, it would be getting our product into consumers’ hands, whether as an energy retailer ourselves or in partnership with other retailers.
As our customer base expands and more households benefit from our product, we are envisioning a ripple effect where reduced energy bills and lower CO2 emissions inspire even more people to embrace sustainability in their everyday lives.
Once we are delivering big power bill discounts and solid reductions in CO2 emissions, then there will be no stopping us.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Aaron Hilton for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Aaron Hilton or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
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