Our approach starts from the premise that what we confront in today’s world are not so much problems as they are puzzles to be solved. Problems are usually approached as having a definitive or correct solution that experts can deduce from analysis. Yet we are confronted with may complicated, wicked problems in this world; problems that do not lend themselves to simple ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ answers.

Puzzles and wicked problems require a more complex view of the world where the parts exist in relationship to each other. This means that varying perspectives can illuminate possible ways to solve it. There is not a single, right way to approach solving a puzzle and puzzles lend themselves to a social, collaborative process that we embrace at socialShift. We believe that the use of social design, social marketing and social media are three powerful approaches that can be combined to engage people in social change that is more effective and creates bigger dents in the world.

Our POV places people in the center of these puzzles and goes to how the pieces relate and are relevant to their lives. More importantly, it’s how the possible solutions solve their everyday problems, allow them to pursue their dreams and satisfy their needs and desires that are important measures of success. At socialShift we respect people, their passions and abilities to be active producers of innovative solutions to social puzzles and not simply consumers or passive recipients of programs.

“Social change may be thought of as changes in patterns of behavior resulting from shifts in the choice-making of significant numbers of people within a population.”