The cover of the new May issue of Harvard Business Review is titled “How to Really Learn From Failure.” In the article, the authors suggest three disciplines of making sure that you can “Increase Your Return on Failure.”* Do you do an “After Action Review” at the conclusion of every project? This is highly recommended. When you do it, make sure to point out the positive … [Read more...] about Improving Your ROF: “Return on Failure”
Perceptions, Reality, & Wounded Warriors
Many of us were very pleased in 2013 when the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, GuideStar, and Charity Navigator launched The Overhead Myth campaign – their effort to dispel the notion that nonprofits should operate with very low staff and infrastructure expenses. I believe that slow progress is being made in this arena. But now the Wounded Warrior Project controversy has come … [Read more...] about Perceptions, Reality, & Wounded Warriors
Preparing the Strategy Process
“We are too busy doing stuff! We don’t have time for strategic planning!” Once you get past this objection then you get: “Okay, but we need to be efficient!” Which I appreciate. None of us have the time for everything we want to get done. But I do recommend that you be deliberative about three aspects of preparing for your strategic planning process before charging ahead … [Read more...] about Preparing the Strategy Process
Storytelling & Fundraising
This semester I am co-teaching a graduate course in Nonprofit Fundraising with my colleague, Dr. Bob Grimm, who is the Director of the Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Maryland. One of the books we are using for the course is The Generosity Network, which I highly recommend. One of the themes of the book is that when donors are engaged … [Read more...] about Storytelling & Fundraising
Boom! Are You Ready for the Boomers?
This blog is dedicated to the first wave of Baby Boomers (born 1946 – 1964) who will turn 70 years old in 2016. Are you ready for them? Much has been written about the importance of organizations getting ready for the Boomers to retire – such as my recent blog. But are you ready in other ways? The Baby Boomers represent what will be the healthiest and wealthiest retirement … [Read more...] about Boom! Are You Ready for the Boomers?