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?
The Moon Shot vs Cancer
One of the best examples of a successful Almost Impossible Stretch Goal is the Moon Shot. (To read more about the power of Almost Impossible Goals, click here.) On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy – in a speech to a joint session of Congress – announced the goal of landing a man on the moon and safely returning him to Earth. For those of you not alive in the 1960s, … [Read more...] about The Moon Shot vs Cancer
Fighting Gravity
Why is it that even the most inspiring visions sometimes . . . fizzle? It’s because excellence and true leadership are really, really hard. It’s like Fighting Gravity. Gravity – normalness – pulls at us every day. Try to escape gravity by pulling away from the “norm” to do something “special,” “unique,” and “exceptional?” Gravity tries to pull you back down. “Who are … [Read more...] about Fighting Gravity