There is an increasing trend, particularly within the for purpose or not for profit sector, to measure the “impact” of what we do and the difference our contribution makes. But measuring impact is a lot harder than it sounds and there aren’t too many people who can put their hand on their heart and declare they have the formula all sorted.
Read MoreWhen I speak of the proposition that CSR should be good for those that are giving, to the point that it is actually a profit centre back to the company, there is usually one of two responses. The first is “that’s interesting, tell me more” and the second is “I don’t agree, we don’t want a return, we give because it’s the right thing to do.”
Read MoreBusinesses who engage with the charity sector like to believe that they are doing more than just donating a portion of their net profit to their chosen charity and in effect have a corporate social responsibility program in place. Truth be known, many businesses who believe they are engaged in CSR, really are just engaged in corporate philanthropy.
Read More“Seldom is it the lack of intent or desire that results in unmatched expectations, just the execution of the activity”.
Read MoreSongs have been sung, books have been written and movies have been made telling the story of love and it’s many different forms, but the story of Mae Thiew and her love for her children, many abandoned by those who should have loved and protected them the most is surely love in its purest form. It’s a love with compassion, warmth, tenderness, and devotion. But it is not without discipline, sacrifice, respect and rules. She is the task master, the disciplinarian, the educator, the boundary setter and the chief giver of hugs.
Read MoreOne of the areas where many organisations contribute to society is supporting charities and not for profit groups who work to fill the gaps that exist in society left by business and government. With the exception of the mature and large corporate entities, many businesses choose to make their contribution in the form of monetary donations and/or skilled and unskilled volunteering.
Read MoreAt what point do you decide that you’ve planned enough, you’ve trained enough and it’s time to execute? If you go too early there’s a risk you will be caught short due to a lack of preparation and planning. But if you wait too long the risk is someone else will beat you to market, thereby seizing the opportunity.
Read More“Leaders need to be decisive and they need to make decisions, sometimes decisions without deliberation."
“Those leaders who act too quickly or equally take too long will soon lose the support of their teams. ”
Read More“If not now then when, if not you then who?”
Read MoreHaving worked in crisis and disaster areas across the globe including Indonesia following the Bali Bombings, Thailand in the aftermath of the South East Asian tsunami, Saudi Arabia post the deadly floods in Jeddah and Japan following the tsunami of 2011, I have witnessed the response of individual leaders with and without positional authority.
Read MoreIt’s often at this time of year when a lot of people will consider giving to their favourite charity in lieu of christmas presents for those who are too difficult to buy for or don’t need a whole lot. Seldom are the gifts we give at Christmas about true “need” and more about want. It’s a reflection of the country we live in and the standard of living that we enjoy.
Read MoreGrowing up summer time for me meant playing outside after dinner until the street lights came on and then racing home before you heard mum calling for you. The sound of cicadas, sprinklers on the grass and a dab of zinc on the nose. But summer time in Australia was all about the water. You were either in it, on top of it, underneath or crashing through it.
Read MoreThe Bai family represent many of the one hundred thousand who live within the slums of Khong Toei a short taxi ride from the restaurants and bars of Bangkok. But the Bai’s do it harder than most, even of those living in the slums. Nobody cares too much for the elderly and the disabled, even in this culture who rely upon the extended family, it seems they are the silent ones left behind.
Read More“If you are planning for a year, sow rice;
If you are planning for a decade, plant trees;
If you are planning for a lifetime then educate people”
Read MoreOver the last several years I've spent time with Khru Pateep in the slums of Thailand bringing about change for those who seem to have been forgotten by so many. I've led groups of visitors into these areas and the change in their perspective on life is irreversible. It disrupts and realigns your thinking. And now I want you to join me.
Read MoreIn the country of Nepal the death toll continues to rise and has now passed over 5200 souls who have perished following the earthquake on Saturday the 25th of April. For Australian’s, the 25th of April is of course ANZAC Day and it is a day of remembrance.
Read MoreOne of the roles of leaders is to provide accurate and timely information. Sometimes the information to be conveyed can be challenging to hear and to deliver. It’s not necessarily about taking away the pain that’s not the role of leaders, it’s about creating an environment through the provision of information for people to feel informed. If it assists in the healing of those aggrieved then that’s great.
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