Last time we spoke about the importance of being clear on the type of story you are telling - to communicate issues, to demonstrate impact or to engage stakeholders. This time we will talk about getting the language right for your audience. No matter how well you understand your issue, if you are not speaking … Continue reading Question Zero Part 3: Speaking the Right Language for your Audience
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Question Zero Part 2: Communicating, Demonstrating and Engaging with Information
Continuing from last post, let's get into the details of how to measure and communicate your success. The question to think through is "What kind of story are you trying to tell?I use the word story deliberately - many people forget that any time you are presenting a number or report there is a reason … Continue reading Question Zero Part 2: Communicating, Demonstrating and Engaging with Information
Answering Question Zero: What is success and how do we measure it?
Herman Leonard, a professor at Harvard Business School, has a concept called Question Zero. This asks “What exactly are we trying to accomplish?” The idea being if you can't answer Question Zero, then don't bother with questions 1 through 99! For social ventures and non-profits this can be a difficult question to answer simply and … Continue reading Answering Question Zero: What is success and how do we measure it?
The Green Café: Connecting and creating green business
Two weeks ago, I was very happy to co-host the second Green Café with my colleague Steve Unger at the SAP Vancouver offices in Yaletown. With the support of the David Suzuki Ambassador program (both Steve and I are proud to be Ambassadors!), we set up the Cafés to provide a forum for learning and … Continue reading The Green Café: Connecting and creating green business
The costs of consumerism
Who should bear the cost of ensuring farmers are producers receive a living wage? Consumers? Suppliers? Businesses? Presentations at Portland State University Conference on Business and Sustainability raise these questions.
Why do first-time online donors not return?
The New York Times reports on a trend with serious implications for both non-profits and the social media/technology firms who advise them. The study, which include 24 organizations such as CARE and Doctors Without Borders found that Of those who did make additional gifts after an initial online donation in 2006, according to 12 organizations … Continue reading Why do first-time online donors not return?
Tale of two views: Public and Private stimulus spending tracking sites
The New York Times has a profile on the "Big Man" tasked with monitoring spending for the US recovery bill. The article talks about both recovery.gov (a government run site) and Stimulus Watch (a private site). As you can see from the images below, the difference in level of detail and speed of posting is staggering. … Continue reading Tale of two views: Public and Private stimulus spending tracking sites
Opening MP Voting Records: how?
Interesting article on opening MP voting records "soon" but how effective will this be? While not as interesting as the US given our more traditional party-disciplined voting, one can imagine some interesting data mashups. For example one could create a map linking voting records with government spending projects, financial contributions and media coverage by riding. … Continue reading Opening MP Voting Records: how?
Supporting Social Enterprise management
I am very happy to announce SAP Business Objects support for the Demonstrating Value Project The project is designed to help social enterprises measure and manage their performance - financial, organizational and mission/community impact. I have been working with the folks at Vancity Community Foundation for almost two years and it is great to see … Continue reading Supporting Social Enterprise management
Next open idea: Participatory Research
Provide technology and communications tools to allow crowdsourcing of research and data collection. Today's crowdsourcing efforts tend to be systems where the public can come to a site and help solve problems or contribute computer time per SETI@home or the World Community Grid. In many cases, the help that is needed in in data collection. … Continue reading Next open idea: Participatory Research
Constructive Public Engagement 