This groundbreaking book will help nonprofit managers think in newand creative ways about how they define and meet the challengesthey face--and how to rise above standard practices to lift theirorganizations to greater performance levels. Using examples of bestpractices from innovative organizations in both the corporate andnonprofit worlds, Breakthrough Thinking for NonprofitOrganizations offers a mix of "how-to" advice and case studiesthat will guide readers on a new road to creativity. This book willfundamentally change the way nonprofit professionals think abouthow they do their work--and usher in a new era fornonprofits. 2003 Terry McAdam Book Award Winner http://www.allianceonline.org/publications/mcadam_past_winners_1.page
Create powerful strategies for your nonprofit organization to achieve breakthrough performance in mission impact Does your nonprofit have a reliable way of knowing the impact its making? Beginning with an eye-opening discussion of what strategy is, Mission Impact: A Breakthrough Strategy for Nonprofits reveals how the process of strategy development should be designed with authoritative coverage of mission impact, vision, five year strategic stretch goals, strategy implementation, and management. Step-by-step guidance and practical tools Integrates the very best current thinking on performance and strategy available, drawing from both the corporate and nonprofit worlds Cutting-edge ideas presented in a user-friendly fashion The deteriorating quality of life in our communities screams out for immediate action – for breakthrough improvement, not just incremental changes. Mission Impact: A Breakthrough Strategy for Nonprofits will lead you and your organization to achieve breakthrough performance for maximum mission impact. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
An updated edition of a groundbreaking book on best practices for nonprofits What makes great nonprofits great? In the original book, authors Crutchfield and McLeod Grant employed a rigorous research methodology derived from for-profit books like Built to Last. They studied 12 nonprofits that have achieved extraordinary levels of impact—from Habitat for Humanity to the Heritage Foundation—and distilled six counterintuitive practices that these organizations use to change the world. Features a new introduction that explores the new context in which nonprofits operate and the consequences for these organizations Includes a new chapter on applying the Six Practices to small, local nonprofits, including some examples of these organizations Contains an update on the 12 organizations featured in the original book—how they have fared, what they've learned, and where they are now in their growth trajectory This book has lessons for all readers interested in creating significant social change, including nonprofit managers, donors, and volunteers.
Breakthrough NONPROFIT BRANDING At a time of intense competition, low barrier to entry, and lightning-quick brand recognition, leading nonprofits are building more value-rich branding programs. They are proactively creating business models that bring their brand to life in the hearts and minds of their stakeholders. Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding demonstrates how a constituency-focused, compelling brand can revolutionize an organization and the way people view and support it. As practiced in real life, most nonprofits define “branding” as their visual identity produced to aid in awareness and fundraising. However important logos and trademarks are, this limited perspective leaves a significant amount of value on the table. Visionary, mission-driven organizations recognize brand as a bigger canvas for their work. To them, branding is the daily expression of their purpose and a way to communicate their promise to stakeholders. Their brand is their trust mark—their commitment to consistently deliver on who they are, what they stand for, and their unique benefits. Drawing on their combined seventy plus years of experience in the nonprofit and corporate sectors, the authors studied eleven visionary nonprofits to reveal the seven principles for transforming a brand from ordinary trademark to strategic competitive advantage. The groups profiled reflect a variety of sizes, breadths, regions, and issues. The common thread is that their brand work has resulted in greater social impact and vibrant growth. Through the use of case studies, Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding reveals how: A nonprofit put its renewed brand to work to propel its organization forward—despite inconsistent community support Renewed brand meaning heightened stakeholder commitment, stabilized an organization’s financial position, and empowered it to weather a roiling economy A small organization’s brand campaign resulted in exceptional growth A re-brand transformed a nonprofit, enabling it to expand from a regional to national footprint One of the largest nonprofits lost momentum and regained direction through a revitalized brand process Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding shows you how to create a brand that creates unique value, builds deep relationships, fosters loyal communities, and increases social impact. It offers a practical road map and essential tool for nonprofit leaders, board members, and volunteers, as well as communications professionals, development consultants, marketing agencies, academics, students, and all those interested in catalyzing dynamic results for the organizations they serve.
How do people come up with truly original ideas? The answer is to think outside the box—way outside. For the past decade, Cyril Bouquet, Jean-Louis Barsoux, and Michael Wade, professors of innovation and strategy at IMD Business School, have studied inventors, scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs, and artists. These people, or “aliens,” as the authors call them, are able to make leaps of creativity, and use five patterns of thinking that distinguish them from the rest of us. These five patterns—Attention, Levitation, Imagination, Experimentation, and Navigation—lead to a fresh and flexible approach to problem-solving. Alien thinkers know how to free the imagination so it can detect hard-to-observe patterns. They practice deliberate ways to retreat from the world in order to see the big picture underlying a problem. And they approach ideas in systematic ways that reflect the constraints of reality. Through surprising and compelling stories, the authors show how readers can use this method to develop out-of-this-world ideas. ALIEN Thinking can help any of us find innovative solutions to the most difficult problems.
In Why Nonprofits Fail, author and nonprofit expert StephenBlock explains that many well-intentioned leaders hold on to viewsof their nonprofit organizations that perpetuate problems ratherthan help fix them. According to Block, the first step to successis to challenge one's own personal paradigms and ideas and be opento unique and alternative approaches to solving problems. Thismuch-needed book helps nonprofits get back on track and offersadvice about the seven most common stumbling blocks, including: Founder's syndrome Fundphobia Financial misfortune Recruitment disorientation Cultural depression in nonprofit organizations Self-serving political performance Role confusion between the board and executive director
Non-profit Organizations (NPOs) are the fastest growing organizations in modern society. They exist in a liminal realm between public and private organizations, and because of this, new jurisdictions are created for NPOs. The existence of NPOs is contingent upon their adequacy, and management is a key determining factor as to whether an organization survives. The Handbook of Research on Managerial Solutions in Non-Profit Organizations provides relevant theoretical frameworks and the latest empirical research findings related to the successful management of nonprofits. Providing insights into the best practices and valuable comparisons between strategies in different contexts, this book gives invaluable support for nonprofit managers, policy makers, students, and researchers.
Harness your creative potential! Make no mistake; creative thinking is a skill. As with any skill, it can be strengthened, honed and mastered. And just like any endeavor, mastery of creativity requires thoughtful study and practice. This book gives you the tools you need to make creative thinking a part of your approach to every aspect of your life. Breakthrough Thinking is a holistic approach to creativity complete with industry examples from successful creative professionals and some of the top creative organizations in business today. Within the pages of this timely and comprehensive guide to idea generation and problem solving you'll find techniques and exercises to help you: Develop critical understanding of concepts, theories and trends in creativity Learn how to develop and apply creative concepts and strategies within today's competitive business environment Brainstorm, analyze and evaluate innovative ideas and solutions Empower your team's creative process And much more Let Breakthrough Thinking be your guide and tap into your creative potential today! "This book represents an important contribution to our growing understanding of creativity in professional practice. Vogel's take on it from a variety of perspectives and contexts is rich and rewarding." --W. Glenn Griffin, Ph. D., Associate Professor of Advertising, The University of Alabama and co-author of The Creative Process Illustrated "A resource not only for industry innovators, but also for academic mentors who aim to provide rich learning environments for creative leaders of the future." --Joann M. Montepare, Professor of Psychology, Lasell College
How to apply the latest developments in psychology and neurology for better fundraising and influencing skills Leading fundraising expert Bernard Ross offers an alternative yet effective model for asking and influencing potential donors and peers, using the latest techniques developed in the neural and psychological sciences. He shows individuals how to make a compelling ask to mid- and high-value donors, win board members over to a new campaign strategy, convince reluctant colleagues to commit to their ideas, and confidently handle the objections of a skeptical venture philanthropist. Bernard Ross and Clare Segal (London, UK) are Directors of the Management Centre, the United Kingdom's largest nonprofit management consultancy and training organization.
This book captures the exciting potential for business and nonprofits to partner for mutual benefit and discovery. Cause marketing aligns nonprofits and businesses to combine the power of their individual brands with a company's marketing might to achieve social and shareholder value while communicating their values. Cause Marketing for Nonprofits changes the way nonprofits view and execute cause marketing programs. It provides a wealth of hands-on, practical experience that can benefit any nonprofit organization interested in this innovative and growing form of generating revenue, building profile and achieving mission. No nonprofit can afford to ignore the contents of this important new book, the first designed specifically for the sector.
