Putting an ‘idea on the back of a napkin’ is pretty important to us. The ‘napkin’ is the most powerful device or metaphor for SIMPLICITY that we’ve come across.
That old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is true, and in this case, the visual represents everything we have learned and believe after 30 years in the field.
Our entire MESSAGE and POINT OF VIEW can be summarized with these 3 color-coded words: IMPACT DRIVES INCOME. Even simpler: 2 words and an arrow on a napkin!!
The implications of this idea are everything to us.
It is not about fundraising, development, soliciting people for money, or anything else you do under the guise of raising money. Instead:
The SIZE and SCOPE of your Impact Determines the SIZE and SCOPE of your INCOME. (Not the other way around.)
It’s ALL about your IMPACT. How are your saving, changing or impacting lives?
If you can convey your VISION, IMPACT or PURPOSE and do so CLEARLY, CONCISELY, COMPELLINGLY…
Little bit of Lion King ‘Circle of Life’ going on here, but whatever it takes to make the point! The more IMPACT you have – the more INCOME you can have – the more IMPACT you will have.
Action: Put these words, this visual, this napkin everywhere:
Begin every staff meeting with it.
Even use it on presentations.
It’s a great REMINDER to start every conversation with WHY you do what you do.
