By Marion Conway on October 29, 2012
If you are going to embark on a strategic planning process make sure that the plan will be meaningful and be a call to action. Many of the trends lead in the right direction to having this happen. When you are designing your process – either self -led or with a consultant make sure you are considering these issues.
Here’s a summary of the trends I have seen in the last year:
Timeframe
The strategic planning process has to be shorter than it used to be. I have a process I use with small organizations which calls for 2- 3 closely placed meetings, then a break from meetings as committee members complete interviews and then 2 -3 closely placed meetings culminating in a whole Board Retreat.
[ Read More → ]
By Priya Small on October 7, 2012
I’m back after a hectic work period (my apologies for the sparse posts!) I return with a renewed commitment to this blog, aspiring to practice a lesson I’ve recently learnt: do less, plan and reflect more! Today I’d like to tackle the importance of reflection when setting professional development goals. Reflection, at least in my […]
[ Read More → ]
By Carter McNamara on October 2, 2012
It seems that the use of “templates” in on the rise. I’m seeing them mentioned more often lately for strategic planning, Boards, marketing and fundraising We’re getting more calls from potential clients who want us to use a certain template. Some Advantages of Templates They very quickly depict a certain approach to doing a seeming […]
[ Read More → ]
By Carter McNamara on September 27, 2012
Funders often require a grantee to get at least 3 proposals from consultants before the funders will fund a project for the grantee. That approach is meant to help ensure that the grantee selects the best and most cost-effective consultant for the project. As we know, some grantees already have their favorite consultant, and so […]
[ Read More → ]
By Marion Conway on September 18, 2012
I was working with an excellent, engaged Board and the lifecycle analysis was very helpful for them as a springboard to beginning their strategic planning process. The analysis brought into focus issues that should be in their plan that might not otherwise be there. It was important that the board was engaged because they were able to take an honest look at their strengths and which areas needed improvement to bring their organization to the next level
[ Read More → ]
By Priya Small on August 7, 2012
Keeping It Simple Many of us have probably have had a past English teacher or colleague or two warn us about the plague of wordiness. “Keep It Simple!” they still admonish. Some of us, though, have trouble practicing it. “But I really want to make the best impression. And what about all those great ideas? […]
[ Read More → ]
By Marion Conway on June 21, 2012
The goal of the study is to develop a better understanding of successful strategies for nonprofits to engage millennials. Because it included both surveys and focus groups in Indianapolis, Seattle, and Washington D.C it has both breadth and depth.
[ Read More → ]
By Priya Small on May 29, 2012
This question has nagged me for a while. It emerged to the forefront as I recently considered the most efficient way to carry out my responsibilities, spurred on by the 20-80 rule: 80% of our outcomes come from 20% of our efforts. So how do you evaluate on a budget? Should you do-it-yourself (DIY) or outsource? […]
[ Read More → ]
By Priya Small on May 8, 2012
Tip #3: Use trained interviewers who are able to build rapport Effective interviewing is both an art and a science and takes training and lots of practice! As I mentioned in my previous post, interviewers need to think quickly on their feet. This is important because they need to “go with the flow” so it […]
[ Read More → ]
By Marion Conway on May 4, 2012
Many nonprofits just don’t communicate why they are worthy of a donor’s gift very well. Your strategic plan should help you identify your strengths and opportunities. The planning exercises will help you frame stronger key messages. Having fundraising be an issue to be addressed in your strategic planning will make sure that communications about your mission, goals and specific plans are a key output item from your plan.
[ Read More → ]
Marion is a popular facilitator of workshops and Board retreats. Her expertise includes strategic planning, board development, governance and harnessing the power of technology.
Carter McNamara of Authenticity Consulting, LLC, provides organizational development, consultant training and Action Learning services, and is developer of the Free Management Library.