The new Government of India was sworn in yesterday with much fanfare. The election results this year have broken precedents, surpassed expectations, and proven the election pundits wrong.
The astounding win for a single party shows that it has done many things right and we can get some insightful takeaways from its strategy.
#1] Your work will speak not just your image
The last government of 10 years didn't do substantial work
and received the voter’s ire. All efforts to give its image a face-lift by
announcing popular employment and welfare schemes with constant advertising
didn't work in its favour.
So whether your non-profit is 10 years old
with many celebrity endorsements or you are a 10 month old start-up your work on the ground
will give you the credibility NOT glossy photos or attractive advertising alone.
People will see through the claims in the long run.
#2] Have measurable and verifiable outcomes
Simply saying "we have done a lot to improve the country or
we had projects that potentially could benefit millions" DOESN'T WORK. Sorry.
For a NGO having quantifiable outcomes that are verifiable
and sustainable are critical for long term success. For instance- If you claim
to benefit 1700 students in 20 schools please indicate how one can arrive at
those figures.Be Genuine.
#3] Spread the word about what you do
One of the possible reasons given by the outgoing government
for their failure was lack of communication on their part about the work done during their regime.
The most successful non-profits worldwide have a
well-thought and strategic policy to communicate effectively about their
initiatives, projects, impact stories and challenges. Unless you tell people
what you plan to do and how they can participate ,How do you expect them to
come on board?
Use social functions, parties, luncheons to tell people about the cause you are supporting.
Use social functions, parties, luncheons to tell people about the cause you are supporting.
Many people what to do something beneficial for the society,but don't know how. Why don't you tell them to join you?
Today communication has become better, faster, and cheaper than ever
thanks to the social media.
So to be a well-known non-profit and increase
your donor & volunteers base you should leverage social media effectively.
As
they say communication is the key!
#4] Take everyone together
Networking and synergy may be the buzzwords. But does your
organisation put them to practise? Working with people from different
backgrounds with varied strengths and beliefs isn't easy but the more people
you have on board the better you can delegate and divide tasks.
The key is to
find common ground and common purpose for what you do. Networking with like-minded individuals and
other non-profits is essential to build a collective voice to make change
happen. Thus taking public representatives and
government officials on board with what you are doing will help change the system
from the inside.
Confrontation should be replaced by cooperation.
Forming strong alliance ahead of elections was one of the contributory
factors of success for the current government. Network..get more people on board.
#5] Be Humble and persevere
Humility and Honesty are still one of sort after factors in
any organisation (and individuals).However old and successful history an
organisation may have but its future will be linked to its current projects and
impact. It should be remembered that bringing about a systemic change isn't an
easy and quick process it takes time, efforts and perseverance.One mustn't loose heart when one fails and one mustn't let success go to the head either.
The people didn't give a mandate to a government that was too arrogant to listen to their opinion.
Cheers!
Richa_CACR
The author is a team member of Citizens Association of Child Rights, a non-profit working to improve the quality of education and functioning of public schools in India.
