We need to end fragmentation

In case you didn’t notice, it’s hard out there. Increasing number of organisations applying for a smaller pool of donations. New contracts are almost unheard of while compliance is a never ending beast.

If we want a thriving charitable sector, we need to be smarter. We can’t keep on setting up new organisations in the belief that our purpose is so just that money will simply appear. It won’t.

We need genuine collaboration towards shared goals.

  • Organisational interests need to take a back seat in our drive to achieve a common purpose.
  • We need to look for partners outside of our specific sector to broaden our skills and resource base.
  • We need to collaborate bravely to break down barriers and change systems

We need to competing over funding

  • We have to accept that there will only be a certain level of funding in New Zealand. Duplicating our services simply dilutes that pool.
  • We need to recognise the potential of business in supporting shared goals. This relies on meaningful relationships not simply expecting never ending donations.
  • Working with other organisations to allow services to be delivered with economy of scale.

We need to have contentious conversations

  • There is a place for joint ventures and mergers. We need to look past our own brands and ‘local’ solutions if we want to make a significant difference to our communities.
  • Local solutions are a valid option but we still need to look for opportunities to share or leverage infrastructure. Duplicated infrastructure dilutes funding and diverts our focus from achieving our purpose.

My cup runs over…

Coffee and a chat is a great foundation for discovery and learning. A gentle 30 minute walk on a clear frosty morning makes to doubly so.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting a small business owner and finding out more about her enterprise. What I loved was how simple it was and yet it ticked all the boxes.

Clearly identified customer base – one that genuinely needs the service being offered. Building a business to solve a customer’s problem…. business 101. Bonus points for the fact it is helping the community.

Fully understood her cost structure, and focused on what was profitable. Not growth for growths sake.

Listening to her, she clearly cared for her team but at the same time, you could tell there were expectations on output (quality and quantity). Call me old fashioned but isn’t this how it’s meant to be?

Talking of her team, she cleverly built the working day around school hours. There is a big pool of very talented people who are at home with kids. Tapping into this resource is smart business – and again helps out our community.

Yesterday was a day when chatting over coffee filled my cup.Activate to view larger image,

Who needs a sounding board?

  • Owner operators or founders of an established SME
  • If you carry responsibility for people, cashflow, and reputation
  • Anyone who feels busy, stretched, or isolated at times
  • If you need clear thinking, not theory or hype

It works well for purposeful leaders. It can be a hard and lonely place when passion and management collide. I can relate; I’ve been there.

When you need someone who can listen well, think clearly, and stay grounded, you need is a sounding board.

You’re making a decision? Why?

When trying to find solutions, we’re told to first understand the problem.

Many of the decisions we make as leaders, and as people, don’t stem from what we see as a problem. We don’t sit and try and analyse it, we just know we have to make a decision and that’s what we do.

Sometimes we sense check the decision we’ve made – and as a self-promotional plug, a sounding board is a great way to do that.

There’s a simple question we don’t often ask ourselves, one that if we asked right at the beginning might channel our thinking.

Why do we have to make a decision?

Seems obvious, but is it? 

Is there a problem you’re trying to solve – if so, what is the problem?

Why are you exploring new opportunities – do you understand why you want to grow?

Sense checking is more than seeing if the solution will work. It’s understanding why you need a solution, and only then can you help with decision.

Just Explore

In an environment where everyone is trying to give you advice, it can be reassuring to sit down with a sounding board and just explore.

This what I do….

I’m not a coach or advisor; I’m not an expert on some American management model that is apparently the answer to every issue, and I certainly don’t think I know more than you.

I listen, I question, I sense check and I wonder aloud.

Advisory Boards

We see that advisory boards are becoming more common in the commercial space, especially with SME, but I haven’t noticed this flowing through into the for-purpose sector.

Advisory boards are set up to provide guidance and expertise to an organisation on a specific issue or strategy, not the business-as-usual governance, compliance and decision making that boards of trustees/directors are usually involved with.

A great trustee may not be the best person to advise on a new initiative. Their role is to help set the scene through strategic planning and then engage the appropriate resource.

If we want to see significant change, we need to engage the right people to advise us.

If two trusts are talking about merging services, an advisory board of people who have experience in mergers should be able to provide practical advice to steer the journey.

Want to start a social enterprise to generate funds? A board of say three entrepreneurs with experience in start-ups will have a wealth of knowledge to share.

These people may be very willing to share their advice on an area they know a lot about, for a defined period of time, rather than taking up a permanent trustee/director role.

So why don’t we use them?

Want to know more, just get in touch

Veni, vidi, adiuvi

After yet again seeing the term veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered) pop up in a movie, I thought I’d shake up ol’ Julius’s phrase.

In business we should be looking to conquer issues – and no, not our competitors. Grow the pie instead of trying to scoff it all.

From an advisory perspective though, the client might conquer issues, but we don’t. So, what happens when we sit down with clients and identify (see) their issues and opportunities?

We support….

Veni, vidi, adiuvi

I came, I saw, I supported

Integrity

Too often people know the right path to follow, but what is right may not be easy, may not be as profitable or sometimes isn’t popular. It is however right.

The difference between knowing the right path and taking the right path is often integrity.

Integrity isn’t always easy, doesn’t always generate the most money and doesn’t guarantee popularity.

Integrity does matter though.

Never compromise your integrity, the price you pay is never worth it.

Remember, you become stronger whenever integrity is your motivation.

“See it big, and keep it simple.” ~ Wilferd Peterson.

I’m currently reading “The Fish Rots from the Head, Developing Effective Board Directors” by Bob Garratt.

It’s a great book and something every director, or aspiring director should sink their teeth into.

One of the many points I’ve taken note of is how simple strategy really is. While I personally love a one page strategic plan, organisations tend to spend a lot of time pondering, planning, writing and in reality, complicating strategy.

Garratt argues that there are only five strategic directions to consider:

  1. Advance
  2. Retreat
  3. Hold your ground
  4. Make Alliances
  5. Withdraw totally

This made me stop and think. Strategy is a wonderful opportunity to think and create, but we can still keep it very focussed.

As Amelia Barr said, “It is always the simple that produces the marvelous”.

A reflection

A period of reflection this afternoon reminded me of the time I had my first midlife career tangent. When you receive support, even though you had no prior knowledge that you needed it, it can have a profound impact. Suddenly giving back becomes really important to you.

It’s more than just being thankful. It might sound cheesy, but it absolutely is an awakening. Something that builds from within and consumes you.

The wonderful irony is that you become grateful for the opportunity to give back.