General

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 25 aug 2014

The value of ideas is fully achieved when their creativity is transformed and translated into workable and actionable mechanism for the betterment of the world. But its also the case that most creative ideas evaporate within the brain without even providing any value. Writing is a creative activity that requires consistent flow of new ideas that can be shared with the audience. There can be reasons for the failure of creativity and incoming of new ideas, but there are also the possible fixes that can assist in overcoming it - (1) Because the Ideas aren't Finished (Fix: Talk about the ideas with others. Share them on social media. Get feedback); (2) Because it's too Hard (Fix: Just get started. Take small steps); (3) Because I'm Focusing too much on Other People's Stuff (Fix: Value other's work but build your own ideas on them. Add to them & nurture the right balance); (4) Because I'm too Busy with other Work (Fix: Include time for creative work. Prioritize. If it seems difficult to execute ideas due to time constraint, ask someone else to execute it); (5) Because I get Distracted (Fix: Create artificial pressure. Create a deadline. Realize the difference between productive & non-productive distraction); (6) Because I'm Afraid (Fix: Do other creative things. Share more with others. Create more meditative time. Allow to be vulnerable). Read on...

Fast Company: 6 WAYS YOUR BRAIN TRIES TO KILL YOUR IDEAS AND HOW TO FIGHT THEM
Author: Courtney Seiter

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 27 jan 2014

Harvard University's Center for Nonprofits estimates that US-based nonprofit organizations have about US$ 40 billion fraud losses every year. While a Washington Post analysis of filings from 2008 to 2012 found that top 20 nonprofit organizations have a combined loss of more than half-billion dollars due to unauthorized uses of funds. Professor Eugene Fram of Rochester Institute of Technology have some suggestions for the boards of charitables - Audit committee to review annual audits; Supervise executive compensation & other financial activities; Annual review of conflict of interest policies; Honesty background of new hires; Interactions with external auditors without the presence of management. He also suggest a list of questions that should be asked with the auditors to ascertain any financial wrongdoings and ensure fraud prevention. Alert, attentive and proactive boards can create environment of honesty and deter happenings of fraud. Read on...

Huffington Post: Nonprofit Fraud Robs Charities of Substantial Dollars
Author: Eugene Fram

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 22 jan 2014

To predict and prepare for the uncertain future is a challenging task. But to keep ahead and stay competitive and relevant, it is required not only to mitigate risks but also to anticipate to some accuracy what is going to happen next. As Wayne Gretzky, professional hockey player, rightly said, "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been." So it becomes important to have a strategic map to successfully participate in the future. Seth Godin provides three ways of coping with future: Accuracy (the most rewarding and also the most risky way is to predict correctly about the future and put all on one outcome thus involving high investment of time and money on information and decision making but without any guarantee of getting it right); Resilience (the best strategy to minimize risks and maximize gains by participating in a range of outcomes without predicting future on a specific outcome); Denial (considering that the future will be same as today and avoiding to participate in the changing environment thus losing the chance to gain and win). Read on...

Boing Boing: Strategies for the future: accuracy vs. resilience vs. denial
Author: Cory Doctorow

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 16 jan 2014

'Corporatization of governance' - trying to run government like a business might be a popular thought seeking acceptance in political circles but it is important to understand the implications and outcomes of its application. Another important thing would be to understand what models of business are to be considered in this regard. According to the author this type of agenda might include free trade, privatization, weakening labour rights, deregulation, slashing government services and taxes on large corporations, and the advent of the surveillance state. The basic difference between the government and business is regarding the interests they serve - public or private. Article provides perspectives and views on various aspects of this model of governance by sharing specific instances from the Canadian politics. Read on...

The Rossland Telegraph: The problem with running government like a business
Author: Murray Dobbin

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 22 oct 2013

Creative destruction is an important business and economic phenomenon that happens in all industries where the new and the innovative displaces the old and makes it obsolete. Journalism is adapting and evolving itself to face the changes and disruption due to innovations in ways information is created, shared and disseminated. Author is optimistic that the current dynamics in the field of journalism and newspaper industry will not diminish its economic sustainability. The examples of what does and does not change in journalism are: Although internet creates disruptive business models for newspapers, magazines and books but a sizeable population still likes to read words from paper; Newspapers may not vanish completely but will remain as lower and less important news sharing medium; Internet will have wider range of topics and speedier response but newspapers, magazines etc will hold importance due to their attractive story telling and analysis aspects; Internet journalism is a form of evolution of traditional journalism; Video and mobile content is transformative but written word still holds its value both in internet and print with internet having advantage on the long-form writing as it has no space constraint; Print journalism is expanding and diversifying into various other media formats with multichannel news offerings; Journalism platform is evolving and adapting. Although there is decline in print but rise in online and mobile modes; Journalism has to continue to experiment, adapt, evolve and participate in the various social and technological changes to survive and remain relevant. Read on...

New Statesman: Journalism is going to survive this era of creative destruction
Author: George Brock

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 13 sep 2013

According to the latest annual MDG report, although some targets for MDG'15 have been met and some others are on track, there is a lot more to be done on the eight MDGs. The progress is uneven across regions and countries and in some cases even within countries. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are the ones lagging behind in most areas. Targets for safe drinking water and reduction of extreme poverty to half have been met. But the areas of concern are related to health, education and environment. More progress has to be made on reducing infant mortality and maternal mortality rates in line with the MDG targets. The report also suggested that the world should start thinking beyond MDG'15. Work has already started on post-2015 development program and proposed goals include ending extreme poverty by 2030, universal access to food and water, promoting good governance, and boosting jobs and growth. Read on...

the guardian: Environment, education and health need urgent progress, says MDG report
Author: Mark Tran

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 12 mar 2013

Large scale social change at national and international level is only possible through effective 'Collaboration' between multiple stakeholders like government, social organizations, businesses, educational institutions and civil society. To have successful collaboration, mechanisms and processes have to be evolved to bring various entities together towards the same goal and purpose. This may include clarifying and simplifying measurable and achievable goals and objectives; an honest and non-controversial leadership; commitment from key organizations; course correction and accountability mechanism through expert feedback; outcome based approach and efficient evaluation process. Evolving 'Collaborative Leadership' is essential for the better future of our world. Read on...

Huffington Post: Save the World With Collaborative Leadership
Author: Jeffrey Walker

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 08 mar 2013

United Nations theme for 2013 International Women's Day (8th March) is "A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women". Around the world the day is the time to understand and reflect upon the progress that the societies and communities have made in empowering and uplifting the status of women and girls. While at some places the condition has improved but at others a lot is to be desired and done. Individuals, families, communities, organizations and nations should come together to make this world a better place for each and every person by providing 'Equal Education and Opportunities for All'. Read on...

Brookings: International Women’s Day in India and Around the World - Progress and Strategies for Action
Author: Xanthe Ackerman, Urvashi Sahni

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 16 feb 2013

What leads to 'anger among poor people' and how they can let it out in positive ways? If the socio-economic conditions of the common people are neglected by the governments and the people in power for a long period of time, it leads to resentment and anger. Which probably is their right if their children are dying of malnutrition, their farming lands have been taken without proper compensation, they get displaced from homes without rehabilitation etc. Is it possible that people in power think that if the condition of the poor and rural population is made better it will give them more negotiating power? The debate is going on in most developing and poor nations and leading to strife, violence and even civil war at some places. How can there be more empathy, more understanding, more sharing, more inclusiveness or is it against the principles of growth and economic development? Searching for answers. Read on...

the guardian: Poor people have got a right to be angry
Author: Jonathan Glennie

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 30 jan 2013

Countries ridden with violence and conflicts were the once that lagged behind most in terms of achieving MDG'15 (Millennium Development Goals'2015). The focus of MDGs was poverty, illiteracy, disease & hunger. Now the experts are meeting to define the agenda for the next set of MDGs. As suggested by an expert these should be focused on peace, security and freedom from fear. Long term prosperity can only be achieved through peace, respect for human rights and proper enforcement of law and justice mechanism. Read on...

Project Syndicate: A Peace Agenda for Global Development
Author: Graca Machel

Latest             ⊲ Newer Posts             General             Older Posts ⊳             Last