Jeff Namnum

Hang in there

// January 22nd, 2010 // 1152 Comments »http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jeffnamnum.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fhang-in-there%2FHang+in+there2010-01-22+19%3A28%3A31namnumhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.jeffnamnum.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fhang-in-there%2F // Thoughts

Thanks for being here to see the stumbling first steps of my blog. It’ll probably wander a bit as I get my bearings, so I hope you hang in there and keep coming back every once in a while.

I promise to post about things that I feel will add value to your life, because I’m so appreciative of the great folks online who have added value to mine. If I can be helpful to even 1 person, I’ll be happy.

Thanks and speak to you soon.

My Advice to Wyclef and Yele

// January 16th, 2010 // 108No Comments »http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jeffnamnum.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fmy-advice-to-wyclef-and-yele%2FMy+Advice+to+Wyclef+and+Yele2010-01-16+18%3A57%3A50namnumhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.jeffnamnum.com%2F%3Fp%3D42 // Opinion

Like so many people, I read the Gawker and The Smoking Gun articles about the documented financial challenges (being generous here) that Wyclef’s Yele has had.  After I was posted to Twitter and Facebook apologizing to my friends and colleagues for telling them to text Yele and give money I had a thought.

This could actually be the shining moment in the sun for Wyclef and Yele (and more importantly the people of Haiti).

Wyclef, we’ve heard that you raised $1,000,000 to help your fellow countrymen and that is a remarkable thing.  It seems obvious you have intentions of doing good things for Haiti, but right now it looks really bad.  Here’s my advice, for what it’s worth.

1. Apologize. Now. Sincerly, without justification or ego. Cut a video, on your phone if you have to, post it online and make sure it gets everywhere.
2. Make sure every dime that you just raised makes it to Haiti, minus some reasonable costs. Maybe give it to a bigger org that can respond quicker right now. And hire somebody to make sure the whole process is visible and transparent, maybe post the results online. (what’s a reasonable cost? check out Island Harvest on Long Island)
3. Hire good people to run this thing. You can change Haiti for the better permanently if you’re serious about it. (how to find the right people? Ask someone smart and successful in that field, like maybe Cat Laine at AIDG)

That’s it. Nothing brilliant and of, course none of my business, but I felt it was important enough to write it down in case you get a chance to read it.