Grow, Growth/Scaling Plans, Impact, Impact Measurement, Logic Model Development, Organizational Assessments, Program Development
When I started with the nonprofit Phoenix House right out of college, I was an idealist. I pursued any program and every grant that would help our clients. I believed success would come from the quantity of grants submitted. Now, with nearly three decades of...
Business Planning, Ecosystem Mapping, Lean Start-Up, Organizational Culture, Social Impact Architects, Strategic Planning, Top 5 Annual List
The end of the year is always a special time for rejuvenation and reflection. This past year my favorite word has been “reimagine.” The word itself lulls me into both a state of reflection as well as thoughtful action. It allows you to hold up a mirror to yourself as...
Growth/Scaling Plans, Inspirations
I have spent the last month crisscrossing Middle America, giving keynotes and leading workshops. (Shout out to the wonderful folks in Kansas City; Louisville, Ky.; Tyler, Texas; and Cincinnati who hosted me.) The Midwest and the South are such special places to me and...
Business Planning, Communicate, Grow, Social Impact Architects, Storytelling, Strategic Planning
Social media is taking over! This can be scary, but it shouldn’t be. Done well, social media can be one of the most effective ways to reach and expand your audience. But, how do we do social media well? We have asked ourselves this question and attended many social...
Business Planning, Business Planning, Grow, Organizational Assessments, Strategic Planning
One of my favorite sayings is a Japanese proverb – “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” As we approach Halloween, many think about being scared by vampires and ghosts. These days I’m scared by meetings without agendas and action...
Advocacy/Policy Change, Evaluation Planning, Growth/Scaling Plans
“Place is the word.” Since it is #throwbackthursday, we thought we’d modify a phrase from the movie “Grease” and talk about a trend that we have seen on the rise over the past two years – place. It’s popping up not just at community and economic development...
