What Can Corporates Learn From Ngos?

By Author: Sabita Annamrita
Total Articles: 1
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Typically, you would find a headline, which says 'what can NGOs of India learn from businesses'. However, today we will flip the coin and answer what lessons every business should learn from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in India.

So, let's start with the difference between NGO and a business. There's a huge difference between both. The most significant difference is that while NGOs depend on voluntary offerings, businesses do not. So, it won't be wrong to say the NGOs in India as well as the world doesn't have the conventional financial returns like a business. You could be thinking then what should a business learn from an NGO! Here comes the answer to it.

Have external eyes

Almost every NGO in India or the entire world has a management or executive board comprising of people who are responsible for making the final decisions related to the organization. Along with an executive board, an NGO also has an advisory board. It is equally important for the NGO, in order to develop further believing in the vision and mission. These advisors push the organization ...
... further utilizing their external knowledge, experience, and constant advice. These people can be anyone who seeks to benefit the organization - be it previous board members, volunteers, or people with a keen vision to support the cause. This acts as a fresh vision, who provides a perspective that helps the NGO to grow and stay relevant to support the cause.

Appreciate of stakeholders (customers, partners, suppliers, employers)

Appreciation is a pivotal ingredient in an NGO. A simple 'thank you' has the capability to reach the target. this sense of achieving something and being praised generates a sense of commitment as well as loyalty to the place from whoever they are receiving the appreciation. The more appreciated your stakeholders feel, the they stay aligned with your missions and help you succeed in your beliefs.

Focus on marketing
It is completely understandable when a small business focuses more on financial matters than on marketing as they generally believe that it is the way to grow. But it is not possible to read a book before it is published. And this is the same for businesses and it is like a loop. For money to come, you need to invest in marketing. The more money you gain, the more marketing investment you should make to have a success story. NGOs in India, as well as the entire world, do a lot of marketing through fundraisings, campaigns in order to increase donations, build a reputation and support the cause.

Overall, it is undeniable that NGOs in India, as well as the world, are very different than businesses at many levels, and what could be applied in one must not necessarily be applicable to another. But both need to grow and learn from their mistakes.