Recently Dan Pallotta did a Ted Talk on the subject of “A New Way to Judge a Non-Profit”. It was a great overview from a guy who has raised a ton of money for some very good causes….all using entrepreneurial instincts and discipline.
You can read about it here.
In the talk he discussed the many different ways that businesses can grow and are allowed to grow. One of the finer points being that return on investment is given time in the business world but in the charitable world we focus on non-profits wasting our money on expenses.
I won’t go into the finer details as you can watch or read the whole thing at the link above. However, having lived through experiences like Dan described while I was running varying charities, I began considering viable solutions to support the public allowing charities to act more like a business. That is to say, invest appropriately to be able to scale and grow.
It is time to open the door to your project.
Old business practices said you should keep the back room locked to the public. Keep the trade secrets to yourself and inner team. Put the vision on the wall but rarely explain what it meant.
I think you can earn time, respect and supporters by inviting and enrolling the world into your plans.
Start a video blog. Write a weekly newsletter. Invite the media to chat with you. Whatever means you take explain in detail what you hope to do and most importantly, how you propose to do it. You are a business. The people who want to invest in you and your business only desire a return on their investment. In the case of charity, that is seeing you make a difference on the planet.
Be different. Be bold. Be expressive. Be prepared with a complete plan. Start communicatioing now.
Open the door to your charity, business or project. Your supporters will appreciate it and they will push you to deliver. They will openly communicate with you and ask probing questions. Invite this environment.
The businesses that are the most transparent will be the social movement leaders of the future. They will be given time and they will trust that the public will provide them more support to deliver the vision for the organization.
The difference you can make is directly related to the number of people you enroll in supporting your vision.
And this is why charity, business and life are rarely different.
Open the door. Hearts, minds and currency will follow.
