Is your nonprofit serving individual people in need but not the underlying causes which brought people to your door in the first place? During the 19th and early 20th centuries philanthropists and charities focused not only on providing cash and shelter to the needy but on education and moral reclamation- on turning lives around and […]
Decisions, Decisions and More Decisions
Every aspect of our lives is bordered by decisions and every choice that is made has a consequence. In everyday life we often have to make decisions fast, without enough time to systematically go through some action and thinking steps. In such situations the most effective decision making strategy is to keep an eye on […]
How Does Your Organization Use Goals?
It is hard to find an organization that does not have a defined set of goals. However, what these goals mean to the people in an organization can vary widely depending on the unspoken intentions of the people setting the goals. As employees, it is important to know how your organization will actually use the […]
Statements that can Doom a Career
Sometimes words are spoken that we wish we could take back. In moments of frustration, or disappointment words are uttered that leave an impression. The following statements can blunt success, especially at promotion time. That’s not in my job description. But does it add to your skill base or knowledge. Maybe a better […]
Considering a Merger
In the corporate world mergers and acquisitions are a part of doing business as a means to enhance the economic return to the owners. Ideally combining two like businesses results in ecoconomies of scale with reduced expenses on increased revenues thereby creating higher productivity and profitability. Does this always happen? The answer is no […]
The Annual Report
Beyond the 990 and other mandated reports is the organization also requiring an annual report? While annual operations reports are not required by law they do have value for an organization. An annual report is a “story book” that demonstrates accomplishments and successes in meeting the organization’s mission. The report can also be presented to […]
What Kind of Board Do You Want?
Most nonprofit boards have an option to evolve, or not evolve, from one stage to another. This blog post discusses the most common options and the implications. A Founder’s Board: A nonprofit founder will typically recruit a few family members or friends to comply with the IRS’s minimum board requirement. The board’s […]
Employees Disengaged?
A Gallup poll recently taken (State of Global Workplace) stated that 18% of the American workforce said they were ‘actively disengaged’ – which means that they ‘actively’ didn’t embrace what the organization, and their bosses, were trying to accomplish, and actually may undermine it.. A recent poll by Parade magazine found that 35% of the […]
Are You a Slave To Email?
The internet age was supposed to create and encourage efficiency but research shows it has morphed into a real time waster and productivity reducer for many. We all know the horror of returning to our desks after some time off to see a hundred plus emails all wanting the most immediate attention. There are ways […]
From here to there… Here we go again.
By now most organizations have completed (or at least have a draft) their operational goals for 2015, including their annual budget. Recognizing that a budget is a driving force of an organization’s goals it deserves a lot of planning. Budgets function as roadmaps helping guide organizations as they follow in their long term strategic plans, […]