TED Talks believe in using the power of ideas to transform lives and the world. This is very common for professionals and nonprofits in the social sector who operate with the same mindset. Through its inspirational talks, TED aims to inspire and motivate individuals and organizations to make a lasting impact. If you’re running a nonprofit and need some inspiration, or you want to learn more about how you can make a lasting change in our world, check out some of these TED Talks.
The Antidote To Apathy – Dave Meslin
According to Dave Meslin, the main reason why people don’t get involved with nonprofits is not apathy, but rather seven barriers that prevent people from taking action. These seven barriers can keep people from making a difference in the world, regardless of their level of commitment.
As you work to connect with supporters, ask yourself what barriers are holding them back from becoming involved. These are the things that you should be aware of so that you can remove them before they become a problem. Having a clear and concise mission statement is very important, as well as having a variety of calls to action are also very important.
What Nonprofits Can Learn From Coca-Cola – Melinda Gates
Coca-Cola has a global network of distributors and marketers who ensure that their products reach even the most remote regions. In her talk, Melinda Gates talked about how they’ve been able to use various marketing techniques to reach out to communities around the world. This model is very applicable to nonprofits, as it allows them to distribute their products on a large scale.
To effectively reach out to the communities that you serve, identify individuals who can help you educate others about your organization and its cause. You should also be bold enough to offer a variety of marketing messages that are not only relevant to your target audience, but also help them make informed decisions. Finally, develop a data-driven mindset that will allow you to make informed decisions.
The Way We Think About Charity Is Dead Wrong – Dan Pallotta
Many professionals and nonprofits in the social sector are familiar with the subject of the “overhead” discussion. In his TED Talk, Dan discussed the idea that while nonprofits are often rewarded for reducing their overhead, they are also not always given the same recognition for their work. He encourages everyone to ask their organizations what their goals are instead of what their current rate of return is.
To improve the status quo, start by asking yourself and your team what your biggest dreams are. Then, take a deep look at how you can measure and make progress toward these goals. You should also be able to identify the resources that will allow you to reach these goals.