Nonprofit Strategic Positioning: Decide Where to Be, Plan What to Do is the first nonprofit-oriented book to describe strategic positioning as an alternative to traditional strategic planning. Even in the nonprofit sector, strategic planning is becoming discredited as a formulaic, go-nowhere exercise. This book will take the reader on a stimulating journey through nonprofit strategy development and implementation. The book is timely because the nonprofit sector has reached a turning point where the need to be more business-like is undeniable, and the continuing retreat of the public sector has left even wider gaps in services that nonprofits will be asked to fill. Nonprofit Strategic Positioning: Decide Where to Be, Plan What to Do offers a fresh new way for nonprofits to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Turner Publishing proudly presents a fully-updated edition of The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution FINALIST, Ben Franklin Awards, Independent Book Publishers Association, Business Category The world changes continuously and rapidly. It’s foolhardy to believe that strategies should not do so as well. Nonprofit leaders already know this, but traditional strategic planning has locked them into a process that’s divorced from today’s reality. That’s why plans sit on the shelf and why smart executives are always seeking workarounds in between planning periods. The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution offers a nimble and powerful alternative. In this groundbreaking book, strategy expert David La Piana introduces “Real-Time Strategic Planning,” a fluid, organic process that engages staff and board in a program of systematic readiness and continuous responsiveness. With it, your nonprofit will be able to identify, understand, and act on challenges and opportunities as they arise. At the heart of this practical book is the Real-Time Strategic Planning Cycle. Based on four years of research and testing with a variety of nonprofits, this proven process guides you through the steps to sound strategy. You’ll find tools for clarifying your competitive advantage; generating a strategy screen—criteria for evaluating strategies to be able to respond quickly; handling big questions; developing and testing strategies; and implementing and adapting strategies. This useful guide also includes exhibits and case examples showing how concepts play out in real-life; a total of 27 tools—10 of which are essential for forming strategies; Theory to Action sidebars telling you which tool to use for a given task; and a link to downloadable content with all the tools and interactive worksheets you’ll need, as well as a Facilitator’s Guide to Real-Time Strategic Planning that gives you everything you need: the day’s agenda, instructions for preparing flip charts, prework to be done, handouts, and worksheets. Use The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution and get the clarity and direction you need for maximum mission success.
Could your nonprofit stand up to risk assessment from outside authorities? Would it be ready should a keystaff member leave? Risk management and business continuity planning have the potential for growing and strengthening the internal structure of your nonprofit, yet, these crucial practices are often deferred--or avoided--because many nonprofits fear the planning process will take forever, step on toes, or gather dust on a shelf once it is completed. With valuable templates, checklists, and worksheets to facilitate planning and preparation, Nonprofit Risk Management & Contingency Planning: Done in a Day Strategies is the new, uncomplicated way for your nonprofit to get risk management planning done. With some basic preparation--and dedication of a single day--this easy-to-read and easy-to-use tool introduces you to the nuts and bolts of strategic planning and equips you with the structure to engage successfully in a contingency planning process. Get Nonprofit Risk Management & Contingency Planning and get risk management planning done--in a day.
Rekindling the critical analysis of the adoption of generic commercial (for-profit) management approaches in the non-profit context, Strategic Positioning in Voluntary and Charitable Organizations reveals that charities are positioning themselves in their evolving external environment in distinctive ways that are not adequately explained by existing positioning theories. Based on original research that examines, for the first time, the usefulness of contemporary theoretical perspectives and interpretations of strategic positioning derived from the existing literature in explaining the positioning activities of charitable organizations within the wider voluntary and non-profit sector. Using a three-stage approach, which involves an exploratory survey and multiple case studies, this book provides: • evidence showing the extent of strategic positioning, the components of a positioning strategy and the process of developing a positioning strategy in charitable organizations that are involved in the provision of public services, • analysis of the key factors that influence the choice of a positioning strategy in the charitable context, and the depiction of these factors in an original integrating model, and • an exploration into the extent to which existing strategy/marketing literature on positioning is applicable in the charitable context. By challenging the adoption of current perspectives on strategic positioning derived from commercial strategy and marketing management literatures into the non-profit and non-market contexts, the author develops a theoretical framework that accounts for the uniqueness of positioning strategy in the non-profit sector. This uniqueness is attributed to the difference in positioning goals, the process of developing a positioning strategy, and the influencing factors on the choice of a positioning strategy in charities compared to commercial organizations. The implications of the findings provide useful lessons for managers of voluntary and charitable organizations in planning and developing their positioning activities, and for other stakeholders, such as policy makers, funders, donors and industry bodies.
The bestselling guide to nonprofit planning, with proven, practical advice Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations describes a proven method for creating an effective, organized, actionable strategy, tailored to the unique needs of the nonprofit organization. Now in its third edition, this bestselling manual contains new information about the value of plans, specific guidance toward business planning, and additional information about the strategic plan document itself. Real-world case studies illustrate different planning and implementation scenarios and techniques, and the companion website offers templates, tools, and worksheets that streamline the process. The book provides expert insight, describing common misperceptions and pitfalls to avoid, helping readers craft a strategic plan that adheres to the core values of the organization. A well-honed strategic plan helps nonprofit managers set priorities, and acquire and allocate the resources necessary to achieve their goals. It also provides a framework for handling challenges, and keeps the focus on the organization's priorities. Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations is an excellent source of guidance for managers at nonprofits of every size and budget, helping readers to: Identify the reasons for planning, and gather information from internal and external stakeholders Assess the current situation accurately, and agree on priorities, mission, values, and vision Prioritize goals and objectives for the plan, and develop a detailed implementation strategy Evaluate and monitor a changing environment, updating roles, goals, and parameters as needed Different organizations have different needs, processes, resources, and priorities. The one thing they have in common is the need for a no-nonsense approach to planning with practical guidance and a customizable framework. Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations takes the fear out of planning, with expert guidance on the nonprofit's most vital management activity.
Nonprofit leadership is messy Nonprofits leaders are optimistic by nature. They believe with time, energy, smarts, strategy and sheer will, they can change the world. But as staff or board leader, you know nonprofits present unique challenges. Too many cooks, not enough money, an abundance of passion. It’s enough to make you feel overwhelmed and alone. The people you help need you to be successful. But there are so many obstacles: a micromanaging board that doesn’t understand its true role; insufficient fundraising and donors who make unreasonable demands; unclear and inconsistent messaging and marketing; a leader who’s a star in her sector but a difficult boss… And yet, many nonprofits do thrive. Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership will show you how to do just that. Funny, honest, intensely actionable, and based on her decades of experience, this is the book Joan Garry wishes she had when she led GLAAD out of a financial crisis in 1997. Joan will teach you how to: Build a powerhouse board Create an impressive and sustainable fundraising program Become seen as a ‘workplace of choice’ Be a compelling public face of your nonprofit This book will renew your passion for your mission and organization, and help you make a bigger difference in the world.
Nonprofit organizations are complex and distinctive organizational entities. The literature of strategic management poses some interesting challenges and is only partially developed to inform decision making for nonprofit managers. Strategic Management in Nonprofit Organizations uses a strategic management framework to consider key decisions that nonprofit managers and volunteer leaders confront as they plan and work to position their organizations for optimal success. Key Features - Fills a gap in the current literature by providing a thorough examination of management and planning issues experienced by nonprofit managers,including challenges such as muted markets and specific performance expectations. - Blends together theoretical, empirical, and normative literature with descriptive stories of managing in the sector. - Suggests some optimal practices for managers who want to strengthen their organizations. - Perfect for graduate students in nonprofit management programs. - Supported by a complete package of instructor ancillary materials including an Instructor's Manual, PowerPoints, and Test Bank Contents: Chapter 1 Nature of Nonprofit Organizations Chapter 2 Framing Strategic Choices Chapter 3 External Environment Chapter 4 Internal Capabilities Chapter 5 Public Benefit Strategies Chapter 6 Analysis of the Task Environment Chapter 7 Corporate Strategy, Structures, and Planning Chapter 8 Service Strategies Chapter 9 Social and Political Strategies Chapter 10 Financial Resource Strategies Chapter 11 Inter-Organizational Relationships Chapter 12 Strategic Leadership
Using a three-stage approach which involves an exploratory survey and multiple case studies, this book reveals that charitable organizations are positioning themselves in distinctive ways that are not adequately explained by contemporary perspectives on strategic positioning derived from commercial strategy and marketing management literatures.
Strategic planning becomes visual with strategy maps and the tools, techniques, and guidance for turning them into effective action. Developed as a companion workbook to John Bryson's best-selling Strategic Planning in Public and Nonprofit Organizations, Visual Strategy: A Workbook for Strategy Mapping in Public and Nonprofit Organizations, goes beyond making the case for good and effective strategic planning to making strategy visual through effective strategy mapping. Strategy mapping prevents groups of people from talking over one another and going around in circles. It helps people speak and be heard, produce lots of ideas and understand how they fit together, make use of causal reasoning, and clarify ultimately what they want to do in terms of mission, goals, strategies, and actions. Strategy mapping can join process and content in such a way that good ideas worth implementing are found and the agreements and comments needed to implement them are reached. The result is living strategic plans that act as useful guides to action. With detailed examples, actual strategy maps, process guidelines and hand-drawn illustrations, the book will help leaders, managers, students and other professionals see patterns across mission, goals, strategies and actions while helping to identify areas of alignment and misalignment and determine, real time, where elements are needed, missing or not useful in a strategic plan. For leaders and managers of public and nonprofit organizations, facilitators and consultants, professors and students of strategic planning, strategic management, strategic mapping, and public policy, professional development workshops focused on strategic planning and strategy mapping.
