You're More Important Than Your Prime Minister

Let’s play a little game of chess. Who do you think is the most important piece on the board? Some would say the King, right? After all, the goal of the game is to protect the King. But let’s be honest, the King isn’t really the one calling the shots. No, it’s the Queen who runs the game, makes the moves, and determines the outcome.

And just like in chess, when it comes to social impact, you are the Queen.

Before you start imagining yourself in a crown, let’s break this down. We often think about social impact as something driven by governments and politicians; those in power, the ones setting the rules. But here’s the truth, it’s the organisations, the teams, and the individuals, and you who are really driving the change.

You’re Already Creating Impact: No Need to Wait for Permission

Let’s face it: when you’re running a small business, charity, or social enterprise, it’s easy to feel like your efforts are too small to matter. You might wonder if your actions are making the kind of difference you see from larger players in the field. 

Does it really matter if you take action now, or do you need to wait for bigger players to lead the way?

The answer is, don't wait. Just like the Queen on the chessboard, you have the power to make bold moves now. Your actions, no matter the scale, matter deeply. Think of TOMS Shoes, what started as a small idea to donate shoes has turned into a global movement, giving over 100 million pairs of shoes to children in need. They didn’t wait for governments to implement policies, they acted and scaled their impact.

Your efforts, whether local or global, are already driving meaningful change. The next step is not about waiting for permission, it’s about taking that power and running with it.

The Government Makes Rules, But You Shape the Strategy

While governments and Prime Ministers set rules and create frameworks, it’s you, the small businesses, charities, or social enterprises that make the strategic moves that shape the landscape of social impact.

Governments can create policies, but you create the change. The government might direct traffic, but it’s you who’s making things happen at street level. Consider Grameen Bank, founded by Muhammad Yunus, which was an early innovator in microfinance. They didn’t wait for the government to create the policy. They took action and used that action to lift millions out of poverty. Just like the Queen in chess, the real impact comes from your decisions and your ability to move freely.

The government may give you the framework, but it’s your actions, decisions, and strategies that fill it with meaning.

The Power of Measuring Your Impact: Seeing the Moves You’re Making

In chess, the Queen doesn’t just act without thinking, she anticipates, she plans. When it comes to your social impact, you need to do the same. The first step to making your moves count is understanding exactly where you are.

Measuring your impact is how you ensure every move you make counts. Without measurement, you’re acting in the dark, unable to see how far your influence extends or where to make adjustments. Think about Ben & Jerry's, for example, uses measurement to track its social impact. By committing to fair trade practices and supporting racial justice the company has turned its dedication to social responsibility into both a business advantage and a powerful catalyst for positive change. By measuring their impact, they were able to refine their strategies, grow their social good, and prove their effectiveness.

For your business, charity, or social enterprise, measuring your impact allows you to see where your efforts are working, where improvements can be made, and how you can scale your social good.

So, What’s Your Next Move?

You’re already making an impact. Whether it’s through ethical sourcing, providing jobs, or improving access to education, your actions are already creating meaningful change. The next step isn’t about waiting, it’s about making your impact measurable and scalable.

Just like the Queen in chess, you have the freedom to move. Measuring your impact lets you control the game. With Yarra One, you have the tools to track, measure, and communicate the difference you’re making. Whether you’re scaling a charity’s outreach, tracking a small business’s ethical supply chain, or growing a social enterprise’s reach, Yarra One helps you measure and amplify your efforts.

So, what’s your next move? Let’s make it count.