In an evolving business landscape, leaders have to be willing to take intentional steps toward change in order to stay current. This requires taking a closer look at how the business currently operates to determine what is and isn't working well in addition to creating new systems and procedures to drive increased efficiency.
For nonprofits in particular, change can be a great way to ensure the organization is aligning action with set goals. However, it’s vital that nonprofit organizations keep internal and external stakeholders top of mind.
To help nonprofit leaders make changes for the better, 15 members of Forbes Nonprofit Council each share an important step nonprofit leaders should take when it comes to upgrading or improving operations within an organization.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Keep An Open Mind
The best way to always keep pace with an ever-changing landscape is to keep an open mind. Be adventurous with your thinking and ensure your team is always open to new ideas. Most nonprofit leaders limit themselves and their teams by creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) that restrict creativity. Doing good should be fun, so make sure your team knows this and feels this way too. - Christopher Dipnarine, 4MyCiTy Inc.
2. Incorporate Operational Changes Into Annual Strategic Goals
We make operational effectiveness a key component of our annual strategic goals. To execute on a strategic goal, we often look to best practices from leading for-profits while also ensuring they are appropriate in a nonprofit context. This is an organization-wide effort with each team member engaging in operational enhancements in furtherance of our mission. - Eric Reicin, BBB National Programs
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3. Create A Culture Of Continuous Improvement
In most nonprofit organizations, we're working within small teams. Fostering buy-in and establishing that it's each team member's responsibility to identify and propose improvements to standard operating procedures not only improves organizational efficiency, but also allows more team members to take ownership of the direction of the organization. - Christina Allrich, Beta Gamma Sigma
4. Get Clear On The Organization's Mission, Goals And Metrics
Make sure that all are clear on the mission, goals and metrics of the organization. When it comes to operations, every dollar spent and every hour devoted needs to be in pursuit of the mission. Straying from your goals only wastes resources and leaves the staff confused. If that happens, successful operations can be impossible. - Patrick Riccards, Driving Force Institute
5. Regularly Review Current Processes And Systems
One step that nonprofit leaders can take to upgrade or improve operations within their organization is to regularly review and assess their current processes and systems. Regularly reviewing and improving operations can also help to ensure that the organization is operating in an effective and efficient manner. This can help build trust and support from internal and external stakeholders. - Leonard Freeman, Oregon Tilth
6. Get Your Team Actively Involved
Getting your team involved and getting their buy-in is crucial to making any improvements in the organization. The people who do the day-to-day tasks should be involved in the process. Nothing is more frustrating than when higher-ups make assumptions about what needs to be improved without speaking with the people doing that work. Once you get buy-in, changes are much easier to implement. - Kelsey Burton, Medical Mutts Service Dogs
7. Do A Listening Tour
When deciding where to invest, begin with a listening tour. Donors and frontline staff often reveal more insights than what process workflows and metrics may reflect. Investing the time upfront to listen and learn will also enhance transparency during the prioritization phase and increase stakeholder engagement throughout the project, all of which are key components in the change management process. - Courtney Rottman, UT Southwestern Medical Center
8. Appoint Someone To Manage Operations
Improving general operations lies in trained administrative support. Most nonprofit professionals spend too much time on administrative details. Identifying someone to be responsible for keeping the back office humming will not only positively impact operations, but it will also improve the efficiency of the organization, thereby saving resources that can be redirected to program delivery and fundraising. - Victoria Burkhart, The More Than Giving Company
9. Establish Clear Internal Boundaries
Good governance enables good operations! Be clear in establishing the boundaries between good governance (i.e., the board) and management (operations). Nonprofits can struggle when governance becomes management or management becomes governance. Take time to cultivate the distinct roles that enable the two bodies to excel. - Jono Anzalone, The Climate Initiative
10. Get Outside Perspectives
Splurge on a focus group to get outside perspectives on what people know about your nonprofit, what would help them know more or be more willing to engage and what they would like to learn more about. You may even find a sponsor who could provide lunch or dinner and create additional opportunities for insights, connections and relationship-building. - Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation
11. Aim For A Consistent Approach To Change
It's often assumed all leaders on a team embrace the same definitions, utilize the same core processes, etc. However, for example, if you ask 10 nonprofit leaders in the same office how to secure a major gift, you will likely get 10 differing answers. Therefore, there is value in documenting and training on key frameworks, definitions, processes and more to ensure a shared and consistent approach. - Betsy Chapin Taylor, FAHP, Accordant
12. Learn To Delegate
Don't assume what others can and cannot do. Give them a chance to be creative, innovative and accountable. You will grow their confidence and credibility. You will help them become better leaders while making the organization more agile and productive. You will also have more free time for doing the strategic thinking that is expected of you! - Magdalena Nowicka Mook, ICF (International Coaching Federation)
13. Ensure Departments Are Using Updated SOPs
Make sure that every department has updated SOPs, or standard operating procedures. When a primary worker is out of the office, anyone should be able to conduct daily duties using the SOPs. This ensures that the organization's guidelines are up to date, accurate and can be easily followed, which provides an assurance that the mission can continue without interruption when key people are absent. - Kimberly Lewis, Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc.
14. Leverage AI Tools
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools currently on the market have evolved to automate certain work processes in ways that improve operations. For example, AI can be used to facilitate targeted messages and to enable personalized communication to key individuals and groups. Consequently, staff members involved in communication tasks may be freed up to focus on higher-value activities. - Christopher Washington, Franklin University
15. Consider The Future Story
It all starts with storytelling. It is vitally important to constantly reexamine how you tell your story and where you tell it. With a rapidly growing landscape of community-building opportunities, understanding the best methods and means for storytelling will set you apart from other organizations. Great storytelling leads to improved community building, which builds momentum for success. - Nick Lynch, Collidescope IO, Inc.
