Why do some programs for the poor succeed while others fall flat—even with the best intentions?
One of the reasons we were successful in achieving all our impact goals at CoolCoach was because we factored the ideas of aspiration windows and aspiration gaps into our program design. These con...
My verdict – Please read or listen. I recommend it because it shows the power of one committed individual to create positive change. Be warned that it is graphic and descriptive when needed, which wakes you up to some of the horrifying realities of the anonymous internet. You will also learn about t...
My verdict — Read it if you still think that social media companies have your best interests at heart. If you understand the concept "If you are not paying for it, you are the product!", you can give this a skip — or save it for when you're in the mood for a light but informative...
Austin Kleon's book, Show Your Work! is a small and short book, but it has had an outsized impact on me. Discovering Austin's book seemed like the literal manifestation of the quote — when the student is ready, the teacher appears — often attributed to Buddhism.
I have always leaned towards th...
I love the idea of building my presence. I hate the idea of building my audience.
Among other things, the Internet and the World Wide Web created an o...
In the early days, circa 2017, our request for meetings was not even answered by prospective funders. Fitness Coaching as a solution to the inactivity problem among school students in underserved schools, and as a career opportunity for sports persons from poor families was not getting any traction ...
Steven Pressfield was right — it never gets easier.
Another night. I'm staring at my screen, willing myself to come up with something worth writing. I'm tired, but I get the sense that my mind is making me feel more tired than I actually am. I can already hear the voice in my head offering me a...
The Problem: Pilotitis
The social sector is rife with pilots.
The phenomenon of organizations in the sector launching pilot projects but then failing to scale them is so common that there is a term for it — Pilotitis.
If you are trying something new, it does make sense to start with ...
Surprisingly, those four words are my magic escape from non-essential intellectual arguments.
As someone who is curious, I've grown comfortable with my ignorance on a variety of topics. Even in areas that interest me, I'm most excited by what I don't know.
A couple of years ago, I came across a&...
I never expected social change to be easy. But in the early days of my career in the sector, I was confident that I could easily pick up the skills needed to create social change. And with my middle-class dreams of seeing the world, I imagined moving from place to place, creating meaningful cha...
Using Linux daily on my MacBook Air is like taking a cold shower - a small act of discomfort that builds confidence. It's too early to say if my knowledge of computer systems is improving, but I can see my confidence soaring. Every morning is a pleasant reminder that I am choosing to...
Paul Graham's essay Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule is one of my all time favourites. It put into words something I had always felt but never fully articulated - to myself or my colleagues. I am a Maker....
I almost dismissed one of the best teachers I've ever met - before she even said a word.
My wife and I are on the lookout for schools for our boys. Our oldest, who is four...
One bite at a time, it seems. Or at least that's how I remember the joke I liked telling in second grade.
I am using a similar logic t...
My verdict - If you are someone who is even remotely interested in inclusive business models, please do read this book.
"The session by Prof. Sourav Mukherji on inclusive business models was my highlight," shared Vishnu, my co-founder at CoolCoach Academy. He was attending an incubati...