Measuring our Mission - Mission (Im)possible?

This 6-page report by McKinsey has some excellent examples of how some large non-profits have got round the challenges of how to measure progress towards fulfilling their mission. You do have to sign up to read the full article, but it only takes a couple of seconds and is well worth it. The article takes the Nature Conservancy as an example of an agency that had two macro-level indicators (revenue generated and increased number of protected habitats) until they realised that neither of these indicators were telling them whether they were making progress towards the real heart of their mission which was increasing biodiversity. The authors claim there are three critical performance metrics needed by an organization:- success in raising resources, staff effectiveness and progress toward its mission fulfillment, with the last being the hardest to measure. They outline three ways of mission measurement: 1) through narrow definitions of success, through research, or through proxy indicators. They draw examples from several organizations which is useful and thought provoking.

Attempting to better define fragile states

The Brookings Institute has just published a report that presents an Index of State Weakness in the Developing World, measuring weakness in 141 developing countries (as defined by the World Bank) against four categories: economic, political, security and social welfare. Each category has four indicators and each country received a score for each indicator and a subsequent average. The complete, beautifully color-coded table can be downloaded and printed here. Somalia scores lowest across all four categories and ranks at the bottom of the charts. The 24-page report shows some interesting correlations and between the different data sets.  For example, not surprisingly, there is a strong correlation between poverty and overall weakness which means that most of the world’s weakest (and failed) states are also the world’s poorest. Also, states that are more successful at political governance also tend to provide better social welfare. The report is easily accessible and at only 24 pages is an interesting read. Download the full report here.

Climate Crisis - a new talk from Al Gore

For those of you who enjoy the TED talks and slideshows, consider watching this latest 20 minute presentation by Al Gore on the current state of climate change and how it may be worse than scientists were predicting. Clearly presented, this is thought-provoking viewing. 

Innovation - 99% perspiration!

This article in the New York Times business section starts out by saying, “as humans, we want to believe that creativity and innovation come in flashes of pure brilliance, with great thunderclaps and echoing ahas”. It then goes on to tell us that this is one of the greatest myths ever - and that in most cases, the things that we think of as great innovations, have been developed and rolled out gradually over time. The writer talks to people currently considered as innovators who have brought into existence some well-known modern-day inventions who also emphasize this point. It is food-for-thought for those of us in organizations where there is a constant drive to be cutting-edge and where we sometimes feel as though we are expected to have at least a couple of new innovative ideas each morning before breakfast!