In consulting one of the biggest challenges, change management, is to help the client adapt to the new methodologies that have been implemented within an organization. For instance, a manufacturing firm pays a consulting firm a million dollars to help them produce a greater profit through new production processes. The consulting firm logically creates the best practice and begins to implement the solution. After the implementation, they find the manufacturing firm is not operating any better, as a matter of fact, they seem to be worse. The consulting firm did not spend enough effort on change management by getting the employees to “buy into” the new process. “Bob” has been the manufacturing floor manager for the past 20 years. When corporate sent him new processes to implement that don’t seem to fit Bob’s style, the new processes flop.
Westerners have, for many years, been trying to “Fix” Africa. Humanitarians and economists have looked at the issues in Africa, gone to the drawing board, drawn up the “most rational” way to solve the problems and have time and time again seemed to fall short of their goals. Just like the consulting firm, the solutions to Africa’s issues look good on paper, but they never seem to work on the ground. Had the consulting firm first talked with Bob, they would have had a much better idea of what would and would not work. That’s why ALARM believes in getting Africans involved to solve their problems. Almost all of their employees are native Africans and understand the culture, which lends them great insight into the best solutions to their problems. By talking with the people on the “shop floor”, those who execute the processes everyday, you are approaching change management from the ground up, which gives the new processes a much better chance of succeeding than by implementing white board ideas that don’t always adequately meet the needs of employees and the company.
Learn more about ALARM and the initiatives they are a part of by visiting their website at www.alarm-inc.org
When you go to the doctor and tell him that you have aches, fever, runny nose and chills, does he write you a prescription for IcyHot, Tylenol, Kleenexes and a blanket? No, he doesn’t. That’s what your loving mom does. The doctor on the other hand is trained to look past the symptoms you’re feeling and diagnose the core issue that is causing the uncomfortable symptoms. The good doctor would probably write you a prescription for the latest flu medication treating those microscopic viruses so that you no longer have aches, fever, runny nose and chills.
Our current client ALARM, believes they have finally diagnosed the true disease of Africa. Africa is one of the richest continents in the world in natural resources. African babies are born with just as much of a learning capacity as anywhere else in the world. Africans have just as much of a desire to be healthy and at peace. So why does Africa still suffer from hunger, disease, bad water, rape, tribal violence, genocide and child soldiers? These symptoms will never be cured until the true disease of Africa, poor leadership is addressed. That is why ALARM is taking action to train the people of Africa in leadership and reconciliation. This is by no means an overnight fix, it will take decades and generations, but by training African leaders to cultivate their communities, symptoms will soon heal themselves leaving the continent as great as it was intended to be.
Learn more about ALARM and the initiatives they are a part of by visiting their website at www.alarm-inc.org
Waking the World debuted it’s first project last Tuesday with a screening of One Spark Film’s (http://onesparkfilms.tumblr.com) “Manos de Madre” a documentary about the mothers living in the Guatemala City garbage dump served by the nonprofit Safe Passage. Thank you to all who attended and showed your support! If you came and had a picture taken at the photo booth you can search for it here (http://www.annieray.net/photobooth-view.php?id=173)!
This week we are launching our new website (www.theworldiswaking.com), as you can see, so explore it and enjoy!
For our next project, beginning this November, Waking the World is partnering with ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries) to help them shout their message from the roof tops! Waking the World is delivering their complete marketing and fundraising package that includes: Marketing Strategy Workshops, Marketing Strategy Playbook, Website, Donor Database, Flim and Photography. By combining ALARM’s passion and Waking the World’s vision, we believe that more lives will be changed in Africa than ever before.
It is a blessing to work with ALARM’s Founder and Executive Director Celestin Musekura and his vision for ALARM’s growth. Celestin was directly affected by the genocide that occured in Rwanda in the early 90’s and was compelled to create ALARM to change Africa one leader at a time. ALARM now has almost 50 employees in 8 African countries training, empowering and discipling church leaders, community leaders, women and youth of Africa. Because of ALARM’s involvement, transformation can be seen in Africa and will continue to be seen.
How can I help?
I’m glad you asked. You can help us most by:
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Sharing our story (or forwarding other organizations information to us) with potential non profit clients/partners that could benefit from our services.
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Donating money to help us complete the different projects we work on. Remember, all donations are tax deductible (Federal Tax I.D. # is 752167389).
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- Please make checks payable to Waking the World and mail to 10700 Macmora Rd, Suite 109, Austin, TX 78758.
- Or press the “Donate” button on the top of the homepage of our website to access our Pay Pal account.
Tell me more about ALARM!
Ok…no reason to be demanding. But I would recommend going to their current website www.alarm-inc.org. Remember one of our tasks is to develop a brand spankin new website for them so be patient with it. Also, be sure to check Celestin’s story while you’re there. He is such an incredible guy and we are honored to work with him!
Until next time…STAY AWAKE!!!!!
Soon we will be showcasing the new Waking the World website at www.theworldiswaking.com.
We should have it up and running in the next 2 weeks utilizing the new domain name!
Imagine a day where the youth of this world woke up. A world where people used their talents, pursued their dreams, and fought passionately to impact the places on this Earth most desperate in need.
We are here to prove that day is dawning.
This is a place where we will share the story of a non-profit evolve from an idea into a catalyst for change.
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Buckle up. We hope you enjoy the ride.
![Waking the World at the Guatemala City Garbage Dump [photo by Daniel Davis]](http://30.media.tumblr.com/Bc8TfputAor4riy5P1F943G6o1_500.jpg)
