Social Trendspotter Weekly Blog
Why Nonprofits are Ditching Business Plans for the Social Business Model Canvas
“Evolve or die.” This saying is even truer today than when I started Social Impact Architects. Just two decades ago, I learned about social business plans in business school at Duke, but today traditional business plans are being replaced by a more efficient tool: the...
System Change: Do We Fix the System or Change it Altogether?
In the nonprofit community, we often talk about our clients “falling through the cracks.” As a result, we spend countless hours conducting case management sessions to help clients navigate “the system.” But these are often only temporary fixes; the opportunity for...
The Do’s and Don’ts of Hybrid Work for Nonprofit Leaders
One of the hottest topics of debate in C-suites across the globe is in-office (5 days a week) versus remote/hybrid work (ranging from fully remote to 3-4 days in-office). Research suggests that remote/hybrid work improves talent acquisition and retention while...
The 5 C’s of Employee Retention
One of my favorite things to do is browse Merriam-Webster’s Words of the Year. In 2023, the word of the year was authentic, a familiar term that received a high volume of searches. In a world increasingly influenced by AI, deepfakes and disingenuous social media...
Sharpen Your Story: Essential Storytelling Tips for Nonprofit Giving Days
School has started across the country, and fall is almost here – a time when nonprofits are gearing up for Giving Days nationwide. This season inspires thoughts of new possibilities, adventures and dreams, motivating us to take steps toward positive change. One...
8 Things Every Social Impact Leader Needs to Know Before Their Next Hire
Let’s be honest. As employers, hiring is probably one of our least favorite activities. It’s time-consuming, challenging and takes us away from working toward our mission. But, to paraphrase Jim Collins in his modern-day business classic, Good to Great, what separates...
From CSR Myths to Trust-Driven Impact: Highlights from The Trust Show Podcast with Yoram Solomon, PhD
I love a great podcast. There is nothing better than going for a drive or walk and listening to a podcast along the way. My favorites are the ones where, even when I only have five minutes, I come away with pearls of wisdom. That is the case for one of my favorite...
Why Now Is the Perfect Moment to Showcase Your Nonprofit to Policymakers
Remember how much you loved recess when you were in school? How about show and tell? August 5th ushered in an almost month-long summer recess for Congress – they go home, go on vacation and spend time with their constituents. And in cities and states, policymakers are...
The Five C’s of an Effective Policymaker Meeting
There is an old saying that “if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” This is true in life, but very true in politics. I come from a long line of unsung heroes who served as teachers and counselors. They put their heads down and got the work done, never...
How Coalition Building and Grassroots Campaigns Can Boost Your Nonprofit’s Advocacy
Late summer and early fall are opportune times to reach out and connect to elected officials, since many federal policymakers will be home for August recess and most state policymakers will be gearing up for legislative sessions. There are many reasons to start...
