NFP New Year’s Resolutions

As the New Year has passed, it is time to get back to business.  Before we get lost in the day to day activity cluttering our calendars, we need to think about how we are going to do things differently this year. This takes time: time to think about what we would like to change and time to actually implement what we want to change. However, if we never take the opportunity  to plan and improve our current situation we are doomed to live a Ground Hog Day existence, repeating the same day (and probably the same mistakes)  over and over again. 

  Perhaps our New Year’s resolution will be to undertake at least one of those projects this year we have been putting off.  Need help thinking about this?   Here are five potential resolutions for NFP managers:

1. Take the time to do formal planning.  No matter how large or small your organization is, this is a good time to formalize your planning process. Any organization can profit from organized, systematic planning. Look at the vision and the mission of your organization.  Think in terms of strategy maps ( example here) to put your plans into action. Budget in greater detail to get a deeper understanding of where the money leaks out. 
2. Enhance your human capital.  Perhaps this is the year you start that graduate degree you have been thinking about. Larger organizations may offer tuition reimbursement, a cost effective way to compensate employees.  Even if your organization is too small to offer this benefit, look at using the various tuition tax credits that might be available to you.  Look around for colleges and universities  that offer discounts to employees of tax-exempt organizations.  Remember, an investment in your education will benefit not only you, but the organization you work with. 
3. Be open to new points of view.  Effective leaders are willing to listen, to learn to get different points of view, even if they disagree with their own. As John Maynard Keynes is alleged to have said, “ When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do?”
4. Update the organization’s Social Media presence.  Perhaps it is time to refresh that website or even more importantly, look at new social media applications. What worked last year, or even yesterday for that matter may not work today.  Are you trying to reach a younger audience?  Maybe it is time to use Instagram or, perish forfend, TikTok.  Do you want to engender a lively discussion?  Perhaps Discord is the way to go.  You get the idea. 
5. Look at new technology.  You don’t have to be on the bleeding edge of technology to benefit from the use of technology. Used correctly, it is a labor multiplier, not a labor divider.  What processes in your office can be automated?  Maybe something as simple as learning Quickbooks can cut down on your accounting fees. Investigate AI.  I have learned that even the free version of ChatGPT can provide insights to operational issues and extensive information we can use to run our organization. 

Good luck everyone, and once again, Happy New Year!