The Chronicle of Philanthropy has twittered and posted New Year resolutions for 2012 (click here to read them). Well known folks such as Ted Turner and representatives from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, along with those entrenched in the world of non-profits, gave their hopes and dreams for the New Year.
Consulting with nonprofits, I find (more often than not) that nonprofit leaders get buried in the tactical and lose sight of the strategic focus which provides depth and breadth to an organization.
If the standing mantra of nonprofits is world peace, making a difference to an individual, or changing the world; and the standing mantra of corporations is to make more money, find more customers and saturate the market; then it would be prudent to step back from your day-to-day work and specifically take time to evaluate the logic of your mission and your programs.
As a nonprofit or for-profit organization, here are three New Year Goals for 2012:
1. You are not alone. The TV series X-Files held this tag line through most of the 90s. While many organizations may be full of “aliens” and dysfunctional environments, the fact is: organizations are only successful when planning and decisions are made with the input or opinions of key representatives. Goal #1: Involve stakeholders!
1. You are not alone. The TV series X-Files held this tag line through most of the 90s. While many organizations may be full of “aliens” and dysfunctional environments, the fact is: organizations are only successful when planning and decisions are made with the input or opinions of key representatives. Goal #1: Involve stakeholders!
2. Edge of Glory. Lady Gaga is a pop icon and her umpteenth hit song title should reverberate through the core of your organization. It would have been interesting to have Gaga and Einstein share a grande mocha latte’, since his quote, “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” speaks the truth. The economy is driving organizations closer to their core mission. It’s time to take a look around and step into Goal #2: Evaluate your current organization.
For nonprofits this may be conducting an organizational assessment and/or a development/fundraising analysis. For corporations, perhaps it’s your opportunity to look at your philanthropic giving and its impact to your community, your organization and your employees’ engagement.
3. Keep the eye on the prize. The holiday movie Hugo destined to become a classic contains a quote in which Hugo Cabret says; “If you lose your purpose, it's like you're broken.” Organizations have to balance the logical side with their passion driven side. Both are important to success. Be great at what you are and discard that which is only mediocre. How does an organization do this successfully?
3. Keep the eye on the prize. The holiday movie Hugo destined to become a classic contains a quote in which Hugo Cabret says; “If you lose your purpose, it's like you're broken.” Organizations have to balance the logical side with their passion driven side. Both are important to success. Be great at what you are and discard that which is only mediocre. How does an organization do this successfully?
Goal #3: Create and/or review your strategic plan.
The New Year inspires E.O.S.C (early onset of spring cleaning); however, if you have not included your stakeholders and facilitated a successful strategic plan which is pertinent and active your organization – then perhaps it is time to clean out old assumptions and start over through a strategic planning session.
May 2012 inspire you to be strategic! Find out how the Center can help you with strategic planning here.
Kristina E. Jones, M.A., CFRE
President, Stronger Organizations, LLC
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