In this week’s episode of the Good Office Podcast, Jillian shares a roadmap to Doing Good at home and abroad, with Erin Murphy, the Founder and Principal of Inle Advisory Group, a strategic advisory firm promoting responsible and transparent investment in emerging markets around the globe.

Jillian and Erin discuss social justice issues and how to truly help: where to start, how to weed through biases, what questions to ask, how to match a social issue with an individual or company's mission, and how to avoid diplomatic drama. As a known expert in the area, Erin has seen first-hand the true consequences of years of individuals and companies wanting 'to do good' without going through due process, or speaking to local organizations, government or NGOs. Take note of which resources to use to maximize impact, how armed conflict, the use and availability of natural resources and land can make or break a project.

Takeaways from this episode:

- Before starting, ask yourself questions such as:
1. Are you looking to invest or engage in an issue?
2. What are the needs?
3. Do these meets match up with your skill set or product? Do they want it? Do they need it?
4. Is there an opportunity?
5. What are the risks?
- Hire experts to help you navigate the social issue that you're trying to solve: don't just go rogue and do the 'feel good projects' without the proper expertise, as you may end up losing a lot of money, negatively impact the community that you're trying to help, or get into bigger trouble.
- Do the research, challenge your assumptions and accept bad news - you may have to pivot!
- Politics, economics and community/social factors must be considered when initiating any type of process.
- When trying to solve a problem consider the infrastructure needed to make it successful and how it's going to impact the day-to-day life of the communities that you're hoping to help.
- Be intellectually curious about the problem: do your research and get friends and family involved in the early stages so that you can benefit from external output.
- Be careful where you source your information from: news and fake news go hand in hand so it's important to reply on neutral, reputable organizations that rely on data, not on partisan support.
- Many countries abroad have limited natural resources, restricted access to energy supply, armed conflicts, and limited skilled workforce - consider these restrictions when trying to solve a problem abroad.

Topics discussed:
- How to research topics
- How to help foreign communities
- Social Justice Issues
- Economy in African Countries
- US Government and US Governmental Organizations
- Social Media misinformation
- How to use search engines like Google to grow your expertise
- Myanmar
- Natural resources
- The Gates Foundation

Connect to Erin and learn more about Inle Advisory Group:
Erin Murphy
www.inleadvisorygroup.com
@inleadvisorygroup

Learn more about The Good Office Podcast:
www.thegoodofficepodcast.com
www.instagram.com/thegoodofficepodcast.com

Connect with Marie Mae on Social media:
https://www.pinterest.com/mariemaecompany
https://www.instagram.com/mariemaecompany
https://www.facebook.com/mariemaecompany

Show notes and more resources: