The pub test, the radio test and the grandmother test

Do you, or rather your organization, pass the pub test, the radio test, and the grandmother test?

Organizations that pass these three tests can often secure the resources they need to scale – the people, the respect, and most of all, the money. Organizations that fail one or more test usually have problems.

[A fuller version of this article was published by Third Sector Magazine in Australia this month http://thirdsectormagazine.com.au/news/the_pub_test_the_radio_test_and_the_grandmother_test/009079/]

Pub test

First, take the pub test. Someone from your organization is in the pub with one of their friends. The friend asks what your organization does. Can your colleague in the pub explain the mission of your organization in a sentence or two, with pride? Does the friend, piqued by curiosity, ask more questions, or go glassy-eyed, reach for their drink, and change the subject?

Missions are meant to motivate. If your colleague can articulate your mission with pride, they are probably motivated, and will inspire others, perhaps to join or volunteer for your organization. And they might even be able to ask for money.

Radio test

Next, take the radio test. Imagine that you are driving somewhere in ten years. The news comes on the radio, and says “And now some good news. A report just out today says that over the past ten years something has improved. One organization that has worked hard for this is your organization.” You hear the report and smile to yourself. Your team and you are recognized for a decade of hard work and achievement. What was that something?

Goals drive decisions. They focus organizations on the most valuable actions out of the range that could fall under the inspiring mission. If the something for your organization is clear and simple, it will help your colleagues in the front line make decisions day to day, and it will make it easier to secure resources. Volunteers know what counts, and that their time has made a difference. Funders may even find you, if they share your goals.

If your goal can fit into a simple radio report, then it’s going to be useful for insiders and outsiders alike. If your goals are too complicated to be explained in a sentence or two, then they won’t drive decisions on the front-line or among funders.

Organizations without clear goals, even if they have an inspiring mission, can scatter their energy in all directions without actually making progress in any direction.

Grandmother test

Finally, take the grandmother test. Imagine you are walking down the street on a windy day and you see your grandmother. You’re delighted to see each other. She asks your news, and you tell her about your organization – the mission and goal. She’s impressed and curious to know more. She asks how your organization will meet this inspiring mission and achieve its ambitious goal. Can you explain the strategy simply and clearly to an intelligent, interested, but uninformed, listener? Remember, it is a windy day. If it’s not clear, grandma will ask you to speak up. If you are too windy, she will get cold while you ramble.

Strategies tell organizations how to get from where they are to where they want to be. They tell us what not to do. If we cannot explain strategies clearly, we probably do not have clear strategies. If our strategies are not clear, our organizations may not understand them, let along execute them. We’re not likely to achieve our goals or mission.

Testing, testing, testing

How would your organization fare with the three tests?

If you are not sure, try the pub test with a mate, say the radio news out loud next time you drive, or tell your grandmother about your strategy. If you don’t like what they say, you can get some advice on how to improve your mission, goal and strategy. Start with your mate in the pub, and think about inviting granny along, too!

Cheers!

PS: If you would like to read the fuller version of this article with some examples, please go to the Third Sector Magazine web site http://thirdsectormagazine.com.au/news/the_pub_test_the_radio_test_and_t...