Spirit of The/Nudge

Spirit of The/Nudge is an interesting and inspiring management philosophy than just being our core value. It's surely applicable to most businesses and Startups and not just Nonprofits. 1.    Honesty towards purpose

Often quizzed if dishonesty in an option. ? fair ask no? Let me try to explain. The/Nudge exists to alleviate poverty. And it’s very tempting to venture into something which might appear as THE need of the hour and everyone is very excited about it. But the question we ask ourselves, is the new venture in line with the purpose of our existence.

In the for-profit context yes, the business and startups have all right reasons to explore new avenues as they grow, and they must too. But it will be good for them to look at that core value/purpose of solving a problem for which they came together.

2.    Empathy towards others

Nonprofits are expected to demonstrate this value in higher degree. However, deep-down execution of this principle can be challenging. Empathy not just towards the target group of an impact stream but we need to ensure that everyone in that value chain understands the principle and lives by it. It comes by practice and examples reiterated and demonstrated on a daily basis. Key to note here is Anubhuti vs Sahanubhuti. Anubhuti is empathy and Sahanubhuti is Sympathy. It's a blurring line not to be confused.

We have been inspired by businesses and partners who relate and demonstrate this value. A new startup idea must be conscious of its impact both positive and negative on the community at large and try its best to mitigate, if not eliminate. 

3.    Impatience towards goals

 Too often non-profits are associated with the lack of urgency which a business or startups might demonstrate. Ask any agency copywriter, she/he will tell you that for most clients everything is required NOW. ? The campaign never takes off is another story altogether.Why?

 Similarly, millions of people living under poverty need large scale immediate interventions and we can’t afford to lose any time. It’s now or now. It’s a campaign that is ON and needs all hands on the table to solve it faster and faster. Chalta hai ab nahin chalega. But Karna Hai aur abhi karna hai. 

4.    Continuous innovation 

No business can survive without innovating. Continuously challenging the old processes and systems to deliver new solution is paramount. Tech plays a huge role in everything that is grand and big, yes, but we cannot overlook the small non tech innovation that is required on a daily basis. We need to inculcate a habit of searching for new solutions “What is that new insight from an impact stream that we can gain? What can we learn from a Gurukul teacher?

Nonprofits can’t afford a large investment in an R&D team like businesses or Unicorn Startups (which are no more startups) can but we can surely develop a culture of problem solving among all our stake holders.

5.    Focus on scale.

Scale is never to be misunderstood for growth. We might as well exit the project if it is not scalable. Services can’t be scaled, but products can. When we say scale, we measure the impact and not the size of the team. If we have found way to solve a problem, the key is to quickly look at creating models that can be replicated at scale. N/Core, one of the impact streams of The/Nudge Foundation, which incubates nonprofits is a very good example where the learnings are passed on to the new champions in the social sector to be executed at scale.

 How much more exciting a Saturday afternoon can be? That’s the spirit of The/Nudge.

 Happy weekend.