Change is hard. Preparing your organization to adjust to a new business practice, technology, or policy can be challenging. And avoiding this change can slow down progress and growth for your nonprofit.
How often are you slowed down due to institutional inertia? What program adjustments, changes to communication, or new technology/platform have you been putting off because it will take too much time or effort?
Most of us operate within work environments that are short on time and resources. Dedicating energy to improving a business practice takes time and mental energy. Because of this, we often put off making changes because they’ll absorb too much time. How often have you heard a colleague say, “We already know this system so well – why do we need to change?”
Allocating the time to make institutional adjustments is increasingly hard. In these situations, we recommend moving through this set of questions:
1) Why is this change necessary to our nonprofit organization?
2) How will our work be stronger because of this change?
3) How much staff and/or volunteer time will it take to execute this change?
4) If implemented, how much staff and/or volunteer time will be saved in the long-term?
5) What are the risks in making this change now?
6) What are the risks in putting off this change?
7) Do we have the resources to implement this change successfully?
8) Why will this change help our organization’s mission?
Hopefully, these questions and the subsequent conversations you have on the subject can help you find the right way to move your organization forward.
Photo by Sean Thomas on Unsplash
Justin (he, him) is a Principal and Co-Founder of Social Change Consulting. He has over fifteen years of nonprofit experience, with expertise in online fundraising, digital communications, and data management. Justin helps organizations connect their communication strategy to their income development needs. When he’s not on the clock, Justin is exploring Berlin, running, listening to too many podcasts, and drinking too much coffee.