And yet, it is like an addiction. Aided and abetted by our numerous devices, we all do it. I am not going to try to convince you to go cold turkey and stop totally. But I am going to point out what we all sacrifice when we multitask: creativity and strategic thinking. We know that multitasking robs us of focus. None of us would be very happy if the doctor performing … [Read more...] about Multitasking is the Enemy
Build High Performing Teams
Effective teamwork is becoming more and more important for the success of any organization. While tons has been written about it, building high performing teams seems to remain a mystery to many people. Here are what I think are the four most important steps you can take to build a high performing team: 1. Select a teamwork model. You need to decide what you think are the … [Read more...] about Build High Performing Teams
Ignoring Stakeholders
One of the first things I do in a strategy consulting engagement is to encourage organizations to create ways to meaningfully involve stakeholders in the process. Often I get responses like: “We already know what they think.” “We just don’t have the time.” “Huh? Why would we do that?” We use the term “stakeholders” to refer to any person inside or outside of the … [Read more...] about Ignoring Stakeholders
“Innovate or Die”
The importance of innovation is a major theme today among companies and nonprofits. In recent months, The Chronicle of Philanthropy carried a cover story on innovation. In that article, Amelia Franck Meyer, CEO of Anu Family Services in Hudson, WI was quoted as saying “We’re in an environment where it’s innovate or die.” Wow. Here are some recent thought-leadership … [Read more...] about “Innovate or Die”
Are You a Sprint or Marathon Nonprofit?
Is your nonprofit running a Sprint or a Marathon? Beware – you might be running a Marathon as if you are running a Sprint. Here are a few questions you can answer that will tell you if your nonprofit is running a Sprint or Marathon: Is your staff compensated above the seventy-fifth percentile for their positions in comparable organizations? Do you regularly budget for and … [Read more...] about Are You a Sprint or Marathon Nonprofit?