Succurro does quite a bit of work with developing strategic plans for not-for-profit (NFP) organisations. One of the first questions we ask when starting with a new NFP is "why does this organisation exist?" The usual answer we get back from management is that it serves some essential social need. Fair enough, but is that the real reason why an organisation exists? And if the social needs addressed by each organisation are so essential, then why do so many NFPs struggle to survive or fail all together?

Managers often complain about the difficulties of getting employees to actually follow security and safety policies.  Rules are frequently 'more observed in the breach than the observance'. It's almost like most people have no understanding of the risks involved.

However, people's understanding of the normal risks that they regularly encounter is surprisingly good. In fact they may understand the risks better than most managers!