Making Strategic Choices is risky. Often when I give strategy examples to clients or executives I am teaching I will hear the comment “That sounds risky.” This response does not consider the risk of continuing to do things the same way. In his books and teaching, Dr. Russ Ackoff would often make the distinction between errors of “commission” – doing something that should … [Read more...] about Risk vs. Irrelevance
strategy
The $500,000 Windfall
“What would we do with a $500, 000 windfall in revenue?” This was a question that a fellow Board member asked the rest of us at a recent meeting. “What a great question,” I thought. “I am so glad we have Puja on this Board.” But, our inability to answer her question with ideas that were well thought out makes me think we should revisit this question at a future … [Read more...] about The $500,000 Windfall
What Does a Great Strategy Report Look Like?
I am often asked about what a good strategy report looks like – the kind you would submit to your Board and then use to guide your organization for the coming years. I have seen this done well by a number of organizations, and done poorly by even more. But, recently I had a chance to work with a group – Health Care for the Homeless in Baltimore – which I think has done an … [Read more...] about What Does a Great Strategy Report Look Like?
Laser Focus
I have been looking over a bunch of strategic plans for nonprofits recently, and one huge thing jumps out at me – No Focus! Your strategy should provide you with Laser Focus. This is why the cornerstone of the strategy process I use with nonprofits is their three – five strategic goals for the next five years. And then, after SWOT analysis, we add the strategic themes … [Read more...] about Laser Focus