Thursday, December 27, 2012

Grow, Part 6 of 13

Step 100.

Two years ago, I heard a nonprofit executive say, “We don’t even have to think, our agency does everything.” Unfortunately, the unthinkable did happen, his demise.

Have you outsourced your thinking?
No one can go it alone. Friends are good. True ones share in vulnerability and risk taking. When there’s a crisis, a good friend will help you turn it into a crisis-tunity. They won’t stay silent with a “no comment” while cashing their big pay checks off your back.

A friend does whatever it takes to make things right. They’re never armed and ready to fire at you with the "letter of the contract." Friends live in the spirit of the agreement, working side-by-side, creating innovative possibilities.

Friends don’t focus on the wrongs of the past. They press forward and believe the future is bright.

A good friend understands you. Your internal battles and they have compassion for your external ones. They help you think bigger than where are you been. They know the names of your kids and ask about them first. It’s fun because you like each other.

You trust one another. Life is complicated. A friend is flexible and can live with uncertainty. They don’t worry about who gets credit and protecting their own interests. Friends realize the most important thing is growing together. Becoming a true partner you can count on. Their success is contingence on yours.

Charities become misguided with Empire-building. They attempt efforts well beyond their original purpose.

Some nonprofits will chase technology by designing proprietary software stored on archaic hardware, while the marketplace is flooded with more efficient and cost effective solutions. Furthermore, they believe they must become experts in accounting, human resources, corporate law, and marketing communications. Still others purchase expensive print and production equipment, which take more experts to operate and tremendous resources to maintain. Additionally, ever-changing postal regulations require a particular proficiency and if not acquired, may cost your efforts to be destroyed without notice. Experts are hard to keep at a nonprofit salary. Therefore, employee turnover is high.

Charities bear these financial burdens of "Empire-building" at a tremendous price to achieving their mission.

Nonprofits need friends who carry themselves with certainty, reflecting those who know many things. They will help you refocus and navigate your way back to your reason for being.

It’s been said, “good friends are hard to find.”

Do you have a friend in the fundraising business?


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