Want to learn how to develop a strategic plan for your organization?

I am teaching Strategic Planning in October for the University of San Diego Business of Arts Certificate Program. Even if you are not in the "arts and culture" sector, I would still encourage you to take the class. I will teach you how to develop a strategic plan for your organization and be provided all…

Cha-cha-change: Making a cultural change at your organization

Cha-cha-change Change is… well, nicely put: not easy. It is also very necessary at times for nonprofit organizations to keep their doors open or take their programs to the next level. When I am invited into an organization to conduct a fundraising plan, strategic plan or to implement Board development, I am being asked to…

Strategic Planning Tips

I am excited to speak in Felcia Shaw's Nonprofit Management for the Arts class through USD's Certificate in Business for Arts on Tuesday night.  Here the Strategic Planning Tips that I will be sharing with the class: Tips Start the strategic planning process with enthusiasm (not dread) Look before you leap Gain the commitment, support…

Assembling the Strategic Plan

You finally made it to the stage where you can formulate the actual plan. Strategic Plan Format Major Goal #1 Objective #1 Action #1 Action #2 Action #3 Objective #2 Action #1 Action #2 Action #3 Based on the recommendations that were made from the results of the data collection, you will want to set…

The Results Are In!

A note about data collection.  Utilizing the Strategic Planning Committee brainstorm of organizational issues, I normally ask the organization staff to put them into one of the four SWOT categories (strength, weakness, opportunity or threat).  Based on the the SWOT analysis, I form the interview survey and guest survey questions -- focusing on the issues that…

Strategic Planning: Gathering Data #2

Continuing with the strategic planning process of data gathering, today I will cover: Strategic Planning Interviews Survey Program Recipients Positional Mapping Strategic Planning Interviews The interview survey asks questions concerning the organizational infrastructure, programming, organization facility, volunteers, staff, Board members, finances and fundraising, marketing, outreach and communications and setting future goals. You will want to…

Send in the SWOT Team! Strategic Planning Process: Gathering Data

Strategic Planning Process The first step of the strategic planning process is to gather data. The second step is to analyze the data. The third step is to create a plan from the results of the data. Gathering data: Organizational issues SWOT analysis Strategic Planning Interviews Survey Program Recipients Positional Mapping

Strategic Planning: Timing is Everything!

Here is an overview of the strategic planning process in three steps: The first step of the strategic planning process is to gather data. The second step is to analyze the data. The third step is to create a plan from the results of the data. I’ve detailed the process week by week to correspond…

Preparing for the Strategic Planning Process

Strategic Plan:  (str-tjk) also stra·te·gi·cal (-j-kl) \ˈplan\ Disliked by nonprofit Board of Directors, loathed by staff and often requires a paid consultant. A strategic plan provides a map for an organization.  It determines short and long-range goals, and where to allocate resources to accomplish its goals. The strategic planning process closely examines the organization’s mission,…