Why Do NPO’s Need Business Plans?
Do you really need a business plan? When was the last time you took a critical look at all aspects of your organization—your programs or services, your members or constituents, …
Nonprofit Capacity Building – A Heretical View
Capacity building doesn’t work. It’s a waste of time, money and energy. There… we said it… sorry foundations and all your capacity building money… sorry nonprofits and all your capacity …
4 Steps to Creating Your Marketing Plan
Creating and implementing a marketing plan does not require a business or marketing degree. In fact, you can create an effective marketing plan for your organization or program in four …
What’s Marketing? It Might Not Be What You Think
Today’s successful nonprofits realize the need to engage a more loyal and diverse audience to support their work. We regularly receive calls from organizations who want to reach new audiences …
Shelli’s 5 Golden Rules of Marketing
As I like to say, marketing is taking all the great work your organization is doing and getting people to care about it as much as you do. Just think …
Education VS Marketing
Education is all over the nonprofit and public sectors but is it the same as marketing. For example: Land trusts that include educational efforts in their community conservation work Public …
The Myth of Setting Priorities
One of the most frequent requests we get from executive directors, managers, and employees is to help them set priorities. The request, on the surface, is logical. Somehow, if we …
Implementation and the Practice of Leadership
I’ve been doing this work for more than 23 years with over 750 clients. Guess how many times I’ve been asked some variation of: How do we know this plan …
Inclusivity in Organizations
Imagine an organization with 35 staff spread across 5 states. As part of their internal discussions on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), they decide to adopt a …
Distraction Hurts Creativity*
“Most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquility. Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?” …