Business Planning, Business Planning, Communicate, Grow, Growth/Scaling Plans, Marketing & Communication, Organizational Assessments, Social Impact Architects
One of my favorite days of the year is Super Bowl Sunday. The big game is not the only reason the day is interesting – the commercials are always a highlight. In my college courses, my students and I analyze Super Bowl commercials to find both good and bad examples of...
Business Planning, Business Planning, Grow, Organizational Assessments, Organizational Culture, Strategic Planning
We are always on the lookout for positive trends, especially from the for-profit space, to incorporate into nonprofit settings. Recently, we have heard a lot about great corporate cultures like those of Zappos and technology companies. When we dissect what makes these...
Business Planning, Business Planning, Grow, Organizational Assessments, Social Impact Architects, Strategic Planning
When it comes to planning, social sector leaders often ask me how to ensure strategic plans get implemented. They are right to be concerned – their hard work matters and should not be relegated to a shelf. I respond with the Japanese proverb – “Vision without action...
Advocacy/Policy Change, Business Planning, Growth/Scaling Plans, Social Impact Architects
Last week, Jews the world over celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Observers of the holiday participate in a tradition of eating apples dipped in honey and wish each other not just a happy, but a “sweet” new year. Interestingly, honey is mentioned 60 times...
Business Planning, Business Planning, Grow, Growth/Scaling Plans, Organizational Assessments, Social Enterprise, Social Impact Architects
One of my favorite cartoons is from Tom Fishburne’s “Brand Camp.” It does a great job of illustrating our inner monologue as we consider a new venture. I tell my students that successful entrepreneurship is half about skill – what you know and do – and half about...
Business Planning, Business Planning, Collaborate, Feasibility Studies, Grow, Growth/Scaling Plans, Organizational Assessments, Program Development, Social Enterprise, Social Impact Architects, Strategic Planning
Because the social sector is in the business of changing the world, we often have an inclination to see every need or idea as a call to jump into action. The result of taking on too many opportunities comes in the form of mission creep, donor confusion or staff...
