Planning

The Rule of Three For Planning

I recently read an article about Jim Collins’ advice to managers. Collins is the author of several management books, including “Good to Great and the Social Sectors.” One of his sayings is, “If you ha

When Collaborating, Look for Complementary Strengths

I want to continue on the theme of collaboration. Last week I looked at the importance of helping partners succeed. But how do you choose an organization to collaborate with? Collaborations work best

Don’t Be Afraid to Have a Plan B

A few weeks ago I talked about driving forces, sources of change that every organization must align with or risk being run over by. Detecting driving forces requires “court sense” — you need to simult

Succession Issues

At the start of a new year, a time of change, I think about how organizations can best tackle leadership transitions. When it is time for a top executive to leave, succession issues become pervasive w

Nonprofits Live in Cyclical Environments

Nonprofits live in cyclical environments. Their fortunes are often pegged to business growth and strong stock markets, which put cash in their donors’ pockets. When revenues are strong, it’s important

Diverse Boards Provide Diverse Perspectives

When it comes to boards, the idea of having a diverse set of people with varied backgrounds is a good one. When you’re only talking with people who know exactly what you know, and whom you value becau