Implementation

5-10% for Planning

Last week I reminded readers that, with summer drawing to a close, we’re moving into the fall planning cycle. Making time to plan and confer creates a useful rhythm and a routine. I think of planning

Last week I looked at my “Rule of Three” for planning. I also have a rule of three for success in bringing on new staff. Staffing is a challenge for every organization. Relentless competition with the

Collaborate Successfully

When I review my proudest achievements, both in business and in the nonprofit sector, collaboration with partners was almost always part of a successful outcome. A lot of senior executives talk about

Teamwork

There are some people who value success but don’t care whether they receive praise or validation from others. They can work fine on a team led by an ambitious extrovert. But multiple ambitious extrove

Good News, Bad News — and Decentralized Decision-Making

We had a saying at Applied Materials that became well-known both inside and outside the company. Good news is no news.No news is bad news.And bad news is good news—if you do something about it. Of cou

Problem-Solving and the “Let’s Do” Attitude

The ongoing dysfunction in Washington in both the House and the Senate highlights the importance of effective problem-solving. Nonprofits are constantly faced with making difficult decisions toward so