Building on Solid Ground earns its title. It is practical, honest, and timely, written with clarity that respects your time. For anyone working in Africa's civil society space, this book is essential, providing both a foundation to build on and a mirror to grow by. It is a good read, and one I am proud to recommend.
Why We Build Organizations
Every organization begins with a reason, but not every founder pauses to examine that reason. Jude Ilo helps those in Africa's civil society build on something stronger than good intentions. The book's clarity and accessibility struck me most. It feels like sitting with a professor who explains how things actually work on the ground. It does not shy away from real issues like leadership, people management, accountability, and sustainability.
The first part explores why we set up organizations and the different motivations behind them, using well-chosen case studies. Instead of taking the decision for granted, Jude asks readers to consider the reason behind it, as that reason shapes everything that follows.
Strategic Foundations
The book then moves into strategy. As someone responsible for strategy in my own organization, I found chapters two, three, and four especially helpful. They break down the who, how, and what of building a strategy in a practical, applicable way. One point stood out: Jude explains how many African organizations struggle to set specific objectives, often to keep their positioning broad for funding. This honest take on a real struggle is one of the book's strengths.
Holding Organizations Together
The second part addresses how to hold an organization together once it is running. I found myself nodding often. Jude asks us to look inward and honestly assess our operations, something we rarely do. He writes clearly about accountability and oversight, emphasizing the need for guardrails to keep power in check—a lesson every leader should heed.
The third part, built around the idea that the employee is king, resonated with me. Jude makes a strong case for investing in the people who carry the work. Organizations thrive when they truly invest in their people, and I have seen firsthand that taking care of employees ensures they take care of everything else.
Navigating a Shrinking Civic Space
The fourth part is my favorite and could not be more timely. With the civic space shrinking and resources limited, this section offers practical lessons for current pressures. Jude's call to focus on real results rather than polished social media packaging rings true—a discipline our sector often loses sight of. He also stresses strong management controls and the true role of a board as a pillar of good governance. His comments on bureaucracy reassure me that structure has its place, and the real work is balancing it with flexibility.
Branding and Credibility
The final part covers branding and credibility building, serving as a summary that ties the book together. I find this part daunting, as I shy away from networking. Reading it, I see this as an area for growth. One line stayed with me: "innovation is the only effective response to an environment where the forces of retrogression are constantly fine-tuning their craft." In a sector where challenges evolve, we cannot afford to stand still. Jude also writes honestly about understanding the funding landscape and building strategic relationships to sustain organizations through lean times.
Building on Solid Ground earns its title. It is practical, honest, and timely, written with clarity that respects your time. If you work in Africa's civil society space, this book belongs on your shelf. It gives you a foundation to build on and a mirror to grow by. It is simply a good read, and one I am proud to recommend.
Ijeoma Dove-Oforka is a public health professional and the Chief Operating Officer at Connected Development (CODE).
