Sunday 16th June, 2013
As a leader, you can’t prevent challenges to your social business.
But being a resilient leader means that you can tap into your ability to withstand these challenges and equip yourself with the skills to minimise them – personally, professionally and organisationally.
A key part of being resilient is your ability to see things as they really are: no better and no worse. You can increase that resilience when you understand how change happens.
Change follows a cycle
This ‘adaptive cycle’ has four active phases and you can see it around you all the time, most obviously in nature. It starts with growth, then into conservation or levelling out, before moving into collapse or release and finally into renewal.
When you recognise and accept this cycle, you immediately increase your ability to navigate the process of change.
What does this mean for your social business? more »
Saturday 8th June, 2013
I recently spoke about resilience at a lunch in Geneva for women involved in philanthropy, organised by Giving Women.
It was a real honour to be have the opportunity to talk to so many accomplished women about why being resilient – personally, professionally and in our social businesses – matters to us as change-makers.
As women on a social mission, we have natural wells of resilience, adaptability and the motivation to be change-makers driving us forward in the face of challenges.
We’re defined by our need to contribute on a multiplicity of scales from the local to governmental.
We have an ‘emotional contract’ with our work whether we are an arts organisation or campaigning for human rights. Whether it’s a good day or a bad day – that contract is our driving force.
Unsurprisingly, given our social missions are frequently going where angels fear to tread, we also struggle at times with doubts and fears: personally, professionally and in our social businesses. more »
Friday 24th May, 2013
Whatever your social business, creating steady income streams is an everyday challenge.
It’s your top priority and as you know, in today’s world, it is tougher than ever to secure funding and generate income. Pots are smaller, criteria tighter, it is more competitive.
If you haven’t considered it before, now is the time to think about developing and selling products and services. It is all about creating a surplus that you reinvest into your social mission.
When you take this approach, you create an income stream that is within your control.
Diversifying your income portfolio from grants, donations and sponsorship spreads the risk and gives you more certainty about where your funds are going to come from.
How do you get started? Here are a few pointers.
more »
Friday 24th May, 2013
I went to an amazing event last night which had been organised by Giving Women and Human Rights Watch. It was a screening of Solar Mamas, a film about the work of Bunker Roy and the Barefoot College in India.
Barefoot College does incredible work, educating women to become solar engineers so that they can earn a salary, create a better environment to live in and escape poverty.
more »
Sunday 28th April, 2013
This week I talked to a number of social entrepreneurs about what they’re doing to make their team the greatest asset and advocates of their social business. 3 key strategies started to emerge from the conversation that I’d like to share with you.
There are a few assumptions that social entrepreneurs have about their teams when they think about them as stakeholders.
- They share the same level of passion for your social mission.
- They are 100% committed to meeting your organisation’s needs rather than their own when they get to work.
- They know what processes you need them to follow to create a strong business.
We recognise our teams as key stakeholders to a greater or lesser extent. But, what if you cast your assumptions aside and really worked at making it easy for them to be your greatest asset and advocates?
more »
Sunday 7th April, 2013
To increase the resilience of your social business, choosing great organisations to partner with really matters. You want the partnership to increase your income generation ability by doing more and better business. You want a relationship that adds to your capability and capacity rather than undermines it.
So, what are the 5 key questions to ask yourself so that you fall in-love with their ability not their potential? . more »
Sunday 24th March, 2013
I’ve shared some great moments with people this week. The one that I want to share with you now is from my Resilient Women Leaders programme. With my client sitting in a noisy coffee shop in London, I was at home in Switzerland; we were talking online and working through the Values exercise. more »
Thursday 21st March, 2013
The first Resilience seminar takes place on Friday 22nd March at 3.30pm (GMT). The topic is Be More Certain.
How do you create and keep building on strong foundations for your social business? When the pressure is on to generate income and secure funding, you want to do it knowing that you’re standing on steady ground. In this session, I’ll be guiding you through some key criteria to help you identify where you can take action to strengthen your project or business.
This is your opportunity to share your insights and ask questions about how to be more certain about your social business and increase its resilience in the face of challenges. To register, email elaine@balanceverbier.com and you’ll receive all the details for attending the call online.
Sunday 10th March, 2013
Why should someone buy what your social business sells? Buying relationships are built on trust and credibility and it all starts with talking to each other…and, of course, listening.
Think of it from a buyer’s view point. When you’re the one spending money and that pot is shrinking, you’re going to use it to buy something you know, from someone you trust to deliver it. If you don’t know the suppliers out there in the market place, you’re going to stick with who you know because you haven’t got the time to search out anyone else. more »
Friday 8th March, 2013
It’s not about women versus men. Instead, it’s about getting to a state of mutual understanding and respect, celebrating what we all bring to the table. Everyone has a right to an education, to choose a partner, to have access to healthcare, to be protected from harm. International Women’s Day highlights how this needs making more even for the daughters, nieces, wives, aunts, grand-mothers of the world today. Enjoy your day and share the love people!
