From NGO To Social Business: Why And How

Leaders of development and aid organizations talk a lot about changing donor models, value for money, operational efficiency, new technology and changing business models. And many believe that being aware of them mitigates the need for serious changes. It doesn’t.

The international development and aid sector is undergoing major changes and many organizations need to update or adapt the way they work. Many leaders I speak with are considering moving the business model from that of a donor-funded, traditional nongovernmental organization, toward a sustainable social enterprise.

But what exactly are the reasons and how does one get such a major change process right? Through my work at MzN International, I have the privilege of working with many midsize and large NGOs and social enterprises, some of which went through the transformation process recently. So what have I learned?...