I wrote a post offering a quick way to get past a blank page using the here-it-is, ain’t-it-great, however, approach. That works for emergency situations, where you just have no idea at all where you are going.
If you have more time, here are four ways to get started: Continue reading Getting Past the Blank Page
Here are some questions that your strategic planning process should answer:
Now you have your strategic plan. Document it. Add it to your Operating Plan.
Now go do it.
It seems that about every three years nonprofits get an itch to update their strategic plan.
But do they realize what they are asking?
They are asking to scan the external environment for changes that impact their approach to achieving their vision. Then they review their current strategies to see if they are accomplishing their mission efficiently and effectively.
But this is worthless unless they put into place some Strategic Actions that are innovative and substantial.
Continue reading Do You Really Want to Update Your #Nonprofit Strategic Plan?
Some organizations spend months, years even, developing their vision, only to have it end up rambling on for pages.
Doing it right is not that hard, and it’s important…very important. Continue reading On a Clear Day, Can You See Your Vision?
Problogger published a podcast describing a technique to write better sales copy. While aimed at copywriters and bloggers, their technique has obvious uses in nearly every aspect of our communication with others. Of course, every communication involves selling something, even an idea, to someone. Continue reading Know Their Pain and Gain
Nonprofits start with the recognition of a problem, a vision of the problem solved, and a mission to achieve the vision and solve the problem. This is basis foundation for strategic planning and is the key to winning donors, grants, and volunteers. One of the biggest problems in grant applications is not properly stating the problem, or, more commonly, not stating the right problem.
Everything is driven by the definition of the problem. Once you get that right, the rest comes much more easily. But defining the problem is more complex than it looks. Continue reading How to Use the Cause Effect Chain
One of the most common complaints about strategic planning is that, once it is approved, it sits on the shelf and molds, never to see the light of day again. This is a waste.
“80 percent of what I do on a daily basis is not included in this strategic plan.” – an Executive Director
Yes, that is a real quote from a real Executive Director. Continue reading Your Strategic Plan Is All About Focus
Technology is changing the world, but few recognize how fast it is changing, and that the change is accelerating exponentially. Continue reading The World is Changing, Are You Ready?
My prior post, The Big Picture, described the high level view of nonprofit strategic planning and management. 
It showed that all nonprofits start with the recognition of a problem and a vision of the world where the problem is resolved. The mission is the commitment to achieve the vision. The vision and mission are why the nonprofit exists and should never rarely change.