Welcome to our second CSR News weekly podcast ! I’m Simphiwe Mtetwa, one of the editors, and I extend a warm welcome to the second week of 2024. As we start the year, many of us have already begun shaping our visions and solidifying our plans.
At CSR News, we’re excited to announce our weekly podcasts, delving into inspirational concepts and ideas to guide us through the year. Following the positive response to our last episode on small beginnings, this week, we’re exploring the profound impact of effective planning.
Before diving into the power of planning, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who engaged with last week’s episode. Your enthusiasm fuels our commitment to delivering content that resonates with our audience.
This week, my focus is on emphasizing the importance of planning. Being busy isn’t a substitute for effective planning. Working hard is commendable, but without a plan, a vision, and set goals, we risk losing our true north.
For us at CSR News, planning is the art of thinking through a process clearly and thoroughly. We’ve developed a four-step framework to guide our approach, ensuring that every team member actively contributes to the planning process.
The four steps of our framework are as follows:
- Create a concept note: This collaborative session allows everyone to contribute ideas and insights, shaping the initial vision for a project or program.
- Cost estimate (CE): This critical document helps us assess the feasibility of our concept, determining whether we can afford to execute the proposed plan. It acts as a reality check, aligning our ambitions with practical considerations.
- Create a proposal document: This document outlines the details of the event, including costs, potential speakers, and the format (in-person or online). It serves as a roadmap, guiding us through the execution phase.
- Craft a supporting document: This visually appealing document condenses the proposal into a five-page overview, highlighting the program’s essence, significance, costs, speakers, and essential contacts.
Planning at CSR News is a dynamic and engaging process that transforms a seemingly mundane task into an exciting journey toward achieving our goals. Planning adds value to our purpose, empowering our mission and vision.
As you embark on your journey through 2024, remember the power of planning. It is the foundation that ensures clarity, adds value to your vision, and empowers your mission. Be sure to visit our resource center at www.csrnews.africa for valuable insights and resources.
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