8 Tips to Run Your Organization Like a Business - The Secret of Nonprofit Success
If a professional event planner uses his expertise, he has taken multiple steps to assure that the event will "go off" nearly flawlessly, with all details meticulously planned and thought of, and contingency plans in place. The casual observer often sees only the final result, and often erroneously assumes that "anyone can run an event" because it looks so easy. However, those of us who, like me, have been running events professionally for decades, realize that ending up with the optimum end result is often anything but easy, and requires acute attention and the expertise to understand and implement all the necessary ingredients.
While the expert realizes that the single biggest determinant in many cases of whether an event will succeed is the precision, foresight and detail of the negotiations, the individual without that expertise often handles the preliminary negotiations far more cavalierly.
Every dollar counts. In your business, I'm going to guess that you always look for the best value for your dollar. We all want the best quality we can get for a reasonable price, which generally means seeking competitive bids and doing research. Nonprofits make bad decisions because they don't take the time to do their research, or they presume that Company A will give them the best price, so they don't look any further. Like any business, nonprofits need to do their due diligence. It is part of the board's fiduciary responsibility to be certain that the nonprofit's dollars are being accounted for properly.
In my more than three decades in this industry, I have witnessed many individuals who had been involved with certain aspects of other events, who believe that their experience therefore makes them an expert. While it is true in most things that experience and expertise are quite different, this is especially true when it comes to event negotiations, planning, organization and management.
Vegas Trap. In the quest for making money, countless organizations spend money they don't have in the hopes of making money on the back end. But just like in Vegas, when you are working with a nonprofit organization, you must minimize the risks you take financially. Sure, a large fundraiser sounds like a great opportunity, but if you can't guarantee that you will fill the room with generous participants, it could be a crushing loss for the organization.
Contract lengths: It works well when you enter on a shorter contract. While a longer contract is good for outsourcer but it not often benefits the charity. A shorter contract always ensures a continuous effort from outsourcer to improve service. In this uncertain charity funding environment charity trustees need to minimise their exposure to liabilities.
Terminating the contract: You need to have clear cuts understanding what happens when you terminate contracts. Are there any hidden costs or hindrance for you when you decide to terminate the contract? What happens to your records, documents, etc. and how they are handed back to you.
Keep it simple. Nonprofits are dependent upon the commitment and the work of their volunteers. If an organization has trouble defining itself, its mission or its goals, volunteers are likely to stray quickly from the group. Volunteers need to feel like they have made a difference through their involvement, so it is best to clearly define expectations and outline opportunities where the nonprofit could benefit from this extra help. Marketing. You know that you represent a good cause, but without a roadmap to spread the word, others may never know about the fabulous work your organization does. Identify what makes your group special and who you want to reach with your message, and then set out to find that target audience. Properly segmenting and targeting your marketing efforts can increase your potential donor list, volunteer base and attendee list for future events. A nonprofit organization is a business much like any other, usually operating under a corporate structure, defined by a singular purpose within strict parameters to attain a certain goal. There's even a "profit" motive sometimes (namely, fundraising)! By applying basic business principles and a sound approach, a nonprofit organization can ensure its success and longevity.
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