By Tom Peterson We all know someone who tries—and sometimes succeeds—to make us feel bad about our efforts and ideals. At some point we’ve probably even let their one small comment crush our spirit. Ray Bradbury tells us to ditch those bad “friends.” Speaking to an audience of aspiring writers he offered […]
By Tom Peterson “Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and, therefore, the foundation of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity, it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.” […]
By Tom Peterson Do your cause a favor and adapt your words to fit the folks you’re talking with. I occasionally shop at a Target store near my house. The retailer recently mailed me a large brochure with 24 coupons: 25% off spices, 15% off pillows, 25% off sliced jalapeños. These coupons […]
By Tom Peterson Who is your target audience? Each student in my class—marketing for nonprofits and social change at the Clinton School of Public Service—creates a marketing plan for a real organization. They work on it all semester. As the weeks progress we go over their work, and almost every year, no […]
What I really need… or want! One day driving on a busy street in my neighborhood I noticed little girl and boy in their yard holding up signs, flagging down cars. On the lawn a few adults sat in lawn chairs watching and laughing. I was about to keep going when I realized what was […]
“You’re under no obligation to be the same person you were 5 minutes ago.” – Alan Watts By Tom Peterson Do you feel stuck, that things just aren’t working? It may be that you simply need some time off to get some distance. You may want to talk through your goals and dreams […]
By Tom Peterson Beginning this month, licensed barbers, stylists and other beauty professionals in Illinois are required to take a one-hour training to help them recognize signs of domestic violence. Over time they will take further courses. While they aren’t required to report suspected cases they can now point victims to resources that […]
“I am convinced that only by setting aside half the planet in reserve, or more, can we save the living part of the environment and achieve the stabilization required for our own survival.” —E.O. Wilson [Fox-in-the-Hen-House Note: As I post this, Climate change denier Scott Pruitt is being tapped […]
The Yin and Yang of Growing Your Cause: Incremental Improvement and Breakthrough The best way to grow your nonprofit or cause is to do two seemingly opposite things at once. First, incrementally improve the things— the programs, revenue streams, branding, public relations—that are already working well. Or at least seem to have […]
We’ve all sat through talks where some blowhard toots his own horn about saving the world: I did this and I did that. Look how wonderful I am, look how great my work is. He ends by asking for the audience’s support. At best a few people may join up and at […]
