Speaking from the high wire
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I'm more than willing to explain to an audience why I think Big Society presents more opportunities than threats. It's a controversial subject and to cover it sensitively, objectively and positively is vital. Many in these groups are very anxious about job security and the future of their organisation. It's rather like speaking from a high wire. You need to balance carefully and avoid giving people any encouragement to shoot you down. I enjoy that challenge and so too do the audiences I work with.
Last week for example I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with a group of disgruntled front line mental health workers. The uncertainty and change had made them anxious and morale was slipping. Together, we worked out how they could play a more active role in deciding their future. The session went well and I am confident I sparked ideas that will be developed by the group. You can download my presentation here.
If you're struggling to get the Big Society message across, perhaps I could help?
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I'm spreading my wings
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We saw the New Year in at Mbarara. It's a town the size of Norwich in Western Uganda but lacking any of the cultural delights of my home city. We'd been visiting our daughter who lives in Kampala and were off to see elephants and hippos. Uganda is a country that does social enterprise well, with brands such as Good African Coffee. This company sells direct to UK supermarkets and invests 50% of its profits in community development projects in Uganda. There's a lot we can learn from social entrepreneurs around the world. Later this year I'm planning to explore social enterprise in India with Journeys for Change. I'm really impressed by this organisation which I'd describe as a global 'Common Purpose' with a social enterprise focus. Why not check it out? Travel will be a defining feature of this year for me I suspect. I've already been invited to work with students of entrepreneurship in Romania and am keen to see more of how social entrepreneurship is evolving around the world.
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Do you know how to be liked?
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I've just started researching my next book which will explore what drives people to do good rather than lead inconsiderate, selfish lives. It is in many ways another slant on social entrepreneurship but more intimate and personal.
How do you know if you are liked and in what ways have you changed your attitudes and behaviours to become more popular? If you have a personal story you can share, or perhaps an example from work about people being liked or disliked, I'd love to hear from you. If the story you share ends up in the book (even anonymously) I'll make sure you get an invitation to the London launch as well as a free signed copy. Email me and I'll send you a short questionnaire to start the process.
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| Let's box some ticks |
The Cattle Egret lives in Uganda and spends its life hanging round cattle and buffalo. They eat the insects that congregate around grazing animals and are particularly partial to ticks which they pick from the animals skin.
This symbiotic relationship is a great metaphor for the way I work as a consultant with public sector organisations. Like buffalo they are large and far from stupid, but find it impossible to reach all of the ticks and other things that annoy and hold them back. Like the Egret, I can move quickly and reach the people, places and problems my clients cannot reach.
Delivering Big Society solutions requires both sets of skills. You tick the boxes and I'll box the ticks! Give me a call on 01953 605000 if you'd like to know more.
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| Tweet tweet |
I'm slowly getting the hang of Twitter. Why not follow me @robertashton1 and see what I blurt out from day to day?
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How to be a Social Entrepreneur
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Quote of the Month
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"'Big Society' is more like the Land Army than Dad's Army. It's about communities striving for self sufficiency, rather than well intentioned, blundering volunteers getting it wrong." Robert Ashton
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Sincerely,
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