Crafting Your Nature Venture's Compass:

Hello Wild Innovators!

This week, we're diving into a tool that's as much about soul-searching as it is about strategy: the Nature venture Manifesto. 

I frequently hear from nature leaders like you that you must spend a lot of time aligning people. Others want to help with your mission, but sooner or later, it becomes chaos because everyone is running in a different direction.

We are just onboarding the first volunteers, so I want to avoid this and give people a clear direction on where we have to go. 

After writing Wildya's manifesto this week, I realized the profound impact it can have. So instead of keeping this to myself, I wanted to share it with you. 

Now, it's your turn to harness this power!

What is a Company Manifesto?

Think of a company manifesto as your venture's declaration of intent. 

It's not just a statement of what you do, but a bold proclamation of why you do it, your core values, and your vision for the future. 

It's your guiding star, keeping you aligned with your mission, especially in the dynamic world of nature ventures.

7 Reasons Why a Company Manifesto is Invaluable

1. Alignment: It aligns your team with your core vision, mission, values, etc.

2. Direction: Provides a clear direction for all your business decisions.

3. Inspiration: Inspires your team and supporters by clearly articulating your purpose.

4. Differentiation: Sets you apart from competitors by defining your unique stance.

5. Connection: Builds a deeper connection with your audience by sharing your beliefs and commitment.

6. Motivation: Keeps you & the entire team motivated, especially when navigating challenging business terrains.

7. Credibility: Enhances your credibility by showcasing your dedication to your cause.

Example Company Manifesto: Wildya

I share the 10 components of our manifesto at Wildya here so you get a real business example. 

But please make the manifesto yours. You can include anything that judge crucial knowledge that every team member should know. 

1. Vision, Goal, Mission

This is the first aspect people must know when joining the team. It is the north star that guides the way, no matter how hectic the outside world gets. 

2. Why, How, What

This part clarifies why your nature venture exists in the first place, how you tackle the challenge in front of you, and what exact activity you do.

3. Origin Story 

Everyone loves a great origin story. An origin story makes your entire nature venture more human. No matter when people will join, they will immediately feel more connected because they get a grasp of the history of your nature venture. 

4. Reasons why you created your nature venture

This part was immensely useful for me. Depending on my conversations with people, I mention other reasons why I created Wildya. Yes, the biodiversity crisis is the main reason, but there are still plenty of others. It shows how much you thought about this, so newcomers can immediately build on these reasons. 

5. Pillars of your nature venture

There is a good chance that your biodiversity business will change in the future. However, certain pillars are very unlikely to change. I chose 3. They provide stability, no matter how hard the storm becomes.  

6. Values 

Here, you write the values that your environmental NGO should stand for. Values embody the spirit and culture of your nature venture. So, if you want people to behave in a certain way, values are an excellent way to provide direction. Make sure to embody them as a leader. It's much more powerful than just writing them on a wall. 

7. Brand 

In this part, you share the story about the logo, name, colors, and co. This is especially important for the marketing team. But everyone benefits if they know what the name of your nature venture stands for. 

8. People we serve 

To make your nature venture work, you need to serve people. It might be governments, donors, customers, philanthropists, etc. No matter who they are, write them here so it becomes clear to everyone who you serve. Yes, you serve nature, but to do that, you need money, so who do you serve to get that money?  

9. Your main KPI

After a while, you will have plenty of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in your nature venture. If you are not careful, teams can start to optimize their KPIs even if they damage those of the others. So it is crucial to find a company KPI that all teams get behind. 

10. Look into the future

Here, the idea is to provide a brief glimpse into the future. What questions keep you up at night, and what is the general direction you want to take your nature venture in? 

Your turn: Craft a compass for your nature venture by writing your manifesto 

5 Steps to Write Your Manifesto

1. Reflect on Your Why: Start by reflecting on why you started your nature venture. What drives you? What change do you want to see?

2. Define Your Core Values: Identify the core values that shape your approach. Are you driven by creativity, ambition, order?

3. Articulate Your Vision: Clearly state your vision. How do you see your venture shaping the future of our planet?

4. Make it Personal and Powerful: Your manifesto should resonate on a personal level. Use powerful, emotive language.

5. Keep it Dynamic: Remember, as your venture evolves, so can your manifesto. It's a living document.

Cheat Sheet: Tools and Resources to Craft Your Manifesto

Tool: Miro for mind mapping your ideas.

Book: Start With Why by Simon Sinek – for inspiration on finding your 'why.'

Template: Canva for designing an eye-catching manifesto.

In conclusion, a company manifesto is more than just words on paper; it's a declaration of your venture's soul. 

As you embark on this introspective journey, remember that your manifesto is your compass, guiding your decisions, actions, and growth.

As always, if you need a hand in crafting your manifesto or any other aspect of your nature venture, Wild Business Mates are here to help.

Wishing you a week of profound insights and inspired actions!

Best,

Oliver

🌿 P.S. If you found this newsletter insightful, consider sharing it with a fellow ecopreneur. Together, we can make a more significant impact!

🦧 Ready to amplify your venture? Wild Business Mates offers 1-to-1 consulting and hands-on assistance in areas like tech, marketing, and more. Let's make your vision a reality! Book a free intro call here.