Reflecting on a great presentation on "e-luma"by Paul and Anna last week, I am still digesting the "shelled pistachios" I gathered from their talks and slides.
1) He cautioned us to have laser like focus on the mission while being flexible about strategy
2) Manage people effectively by being encouraging and welcoming, without turning away any one who wants to help, until they either become integral and earn your trust through their demonstrated action or show their self-interest and drift away when the going gets tough.
3) If ventures are being considered in distant places- the needs/talents of the locals are of prime importance
4) Plan for the long term - while 3-5 year financial plans may make sense for pitching to investors/venture capital, when you have a social mission you are actually not just creating a "business" you have to build community (usually a 10-15 year goal if not longer!)
I went back to visit two of my personal favorite social venture NGOs
http://www.barefootcollege.org/, http://challenge.bfi.org/winner_2010 - operation Hope
1) He cautioned us to have laser like focus on the mission while being flexible about strategy
2) Manage people effectively by being encouraging and welcoming, without turning away any one who wants to help, until they either become integral and earn your trust through their demonstrated action or show their self-interest and drift away when the going gets tough.
3) If ventures are being considered in distant places- the needs/talents of the locals are of prime importance
4) Plan for the long term - while 3-5 year financial plans may make sense for pitching to investors/venture capital, when you have a social mission you are actually not just creating a "business" you have to build community (usually a 10-15 year goal if not longer!)
I went back to visit two of my personal favorite social venture NGOs
http://www.barefootcollege.org/, http://challenge.bfi.org/winner_2010 - operation Hope
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