The Growth Formula

G=C³XD¹⁰XR²

Charities today are trying to determine how they will grow in the face of an ever changing world, diminishing numbers of donors and more competition.  What every charity should know as they consider how to launch their "next big thing" is this...

Significant Growth = significant change, causing great discomfort (or even pain)  and requires a willingness to risk some failure/s.

Many people will nod in agreement and claim to want change and be willing to endure the discomfort of that change... until it happens and they begin to feel it.

Many people want to lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more etc. etc.  They will spend money on it, talk about it and even begin doing it - but when it starts to feel uncomfortable or painful, we go back to our old ways.  They will often fail (one or more times), before they succeed.  Those who succeed, are the ones who don't give up and who learn to embrace the discomfort of change and persevere.  The same is true for charities who succeed.

You can't achieve different, bigger, better results by doing things the same.  If you want growth - you have to change - and that change will be challenging, difficult and require some degree of risk.  However, if your leadership perserveres, it will also be rewarding and your charity will prosper.

Growth = Change³ X Discomfort¹⁰ X Risk²

Do your best to ensure your leadership are prepared for it - and don't be surprised when they demonstrate otherwise.