Right people, right topic, right questions

Coming to the end of January, and the first notch of the 2024 belt already punched, I’m reflecting back on the month that was to recall the things are that simply, but really, making a difference in life and work. And my intuitive but resonating conclusion is that getting the ingredients of engagement right is what moves life, debates and topics forward.

Why do I say that - well let me give you an example. I have had the pleasure of working on and off with the wonderful charity Dublin Simon for the past number of years, and who are a most professional and passionate team. The people working there, their sponsors and the army of selfless volunteers who run programmes and activities that help more than 5,000 people every year in the crux of homelessness are simply wonderful, and unfortunately ever more critical as the divides in life widen. Their work span services that prevent, intervene, comfort and very importantly help people on the streets get back into a home so that they can be safe, well, and have a chance to participate in and benefit from their communities.

Delivering real, tangible impact at scale clearly couldn’t happen without a wholesome drive to do the right thing, and of course money to fuel and pave the way. And it’s with the Fundraising Team where I have been most focused. Their strategy for funding is built around a brand that resonates, propositions that connect and make it easy to support the cause, which is underpinned by efficient delivery, and powered by talent, digital and data. The team at Dublin Simon are one of the most progressive I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and to give you a glimpse as to why, just have a look at the wonderful AI-created video of Justin Cannon’s story.

In Dublin’s Unfair City, published in 2023 and on the eve of the Generative AI dawn, creative machine learning techniques were put to use (with the support of BBDO) and converted Justin’s own words which you can hear in the video, into a compelling visual experience. The poignant portrayal brings a tough yet hopeful story to life, opening up the unfortunate circumstances that often results in homelessness, and how Dublin Simon tirelessly turn such tribulations into a return to society and light.

This kind of creation doesn’t happen by chance, in fact is was one of many initiatives that came from debate, push, pull and exploration when the fundraising team took time out of a normally hectic schedule to ask the questions “how do we tell the story of our clients (Justin) to help donors see the need and feel the plight?”, “how do we tell that story so that it get’s cut-through?”, and “how can we leverage the advances in digital and data technologies to our advantage?”. 

And voila  – getting the right people into the right room with the space and inspiration to  think unabated, with the right questions to push this deserving topic forward, were the ingredients that baked that cake. And the examples don’t stop there. In recent pursuits the team moved on to the complex topic of ESG (the Environment, Society and Governance), and how can Dublin Simon both be the standard bearer as a responsible business, and partner with their donors to help them do the same, hence creating a win-win-win symbiosis.

In a pleasant evening setting, a panel of thought leaders joined the fundraising team and committee to share their experience on the thinking, trials and trends that are facing business leaders and their organisations when it comes to ESG. Post insights and debate, ideas and opportunities were gleaned by the participants in a round of exercises which asked “how do Dublin Simon display and evolve their credentials as a responsible business and community leader?”, and “how can Dublin Simon provide a proposition that solves for others ESG needs and ambitions, and as a result help the mission of Dublin Simon and better the circumstances of it’s clients?”.

I won’t give any more away at this stage, as that’s a recipe that is still in the making, but let’s just say that with the guiding purpose of the team driving them, their professional passion enabling them, and the right ingredients in the mix, a nutritious and wholesome product will ensue.

And the rub – don’t make it any more complex than pausing for progress and gathering the right people, around the right topic, with the right question.

You can find out more about the work and mission of Dublin Simon, and also make a contribution to the cause here

Garvan Callan is a Board-level and c-suite transformation adviser, speaker, lecturer, Non-executive Director and author who works across sectors and regions to bring strategy in to execution, the power of digital culture and innovation to the fore, and help leaders and their businesses prepare for tomorrow, today. He is the author of Digital Business Strategy: How to Design, Build, and Future-Proof a Business in the Digital Age.