Resources / Ripples & Wipeouts

This blog entry is the sixth installment in a series from the Nonprofit Marketing class at the Milano Graduate School at The New School.  The class is working on a pro bono basis with Global Partnership for Afghanistan to develop a marketing strategy.

This week we finish the positioning statement and start to refine the results of our landscape assessment.

The rules were laid out, our destiny was printed on the blackboard, and the gloves came off.  Developing the positioning statement was not for the weak of heart.  We were told not to hold our opinions back, even if it meant telling someone else that their idea was “not good.” Ultimately, twenty-two opinions were consolidated into a concise and rational statement.  Of course I’m not going to discuss that statement here since that comes with our marketing proposal, but it does exist, and it is quite good.

Next to step into the ring are the Landscape Analysis and Marketing Audit teams.  Their breakdowns are due on Wednesday; which promises to be one of the more enlightening sessions of the semester as we get to see what each of the six groups have discovered through their research over the past month. 

I would like to finish up this update by talking about work when it is made fun.  It is always nice to know that the work you do matters, and this semester it is noticeable to me that the work being done in the developing world may be the most important charge for our future.  That charge is already being undertaken by a few important people.  Muhammed Yunus, who has won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Grameen Bank, lends money in the developing world to eradicate poverty.  I have had the pleasure of coming across his work while researching GPFA competitors.  3 Cups of Tea is the story of Greg Mortensen and the work that he has done building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  It is a moving story that has resulted in “Dr. Greeg” being one of the favorites to win the Nobel Peace Prize himself.  This is relevant because work, or school, just does not seem so tough when you get the satisfaction of learning about real life heroes like these gentlemen. 

-- Neil Boss