1. Phobia – Whether it is fear of failure or fear of success, this psychological obstacle is the number one reason clients do not reach their goals. FEAR is really an illusion that stands for False, Evidence Appearing Real.
We choose safety over self-actualization because we fear the unknown and the ambiguity of the future. Fear is a test of commitment and a way to focus your attention on answering the question: “Is this what I really want?” When you risk, you loosen your hold on what you're certain of and you reach for something which you're not sure of, but you believe is better than what you have. Facing our fears means we step outside our comfort zone and grow the most professionally.
Conquering your fear means training yourself to be emotionally fit. Fear is merely a state of mind when thoughts run wild. If you control your thoughts, you can control your destiny. Acknowledge the fear, then confront it by erasing the tape of negative self-talk with positive thoughts then only obsess about those positive thoughts. Avoid all self-doubting thoughts which turn into self-doubting language and then self-sabotage. Often we are the ones holding us back. Find a way to get out of the way such as saying positive affirmations that motivate you. Without fear, there is no courage.
2. Pessimism – Attitude determines altitude. Where you go in life is really up to you. A poor attitude creates excuses and rationalizations that don’t serve you. Call a friend to be your career cheerleader if you need some positive attitude readjustment. Hope is critical for accomplishing your objectives. Don’t believe the negative lies you keep telling yourself. Kill all the negative automatic negative thoughts that clutter your mind. Replace them with the ideal outcome.
3. No Passion – You can’t enjoy your career if you don’t feel enthusiastic about it. Be clear as to what you want. Unclear goals only yield unclear results. If you obsess about success you will bring about success. You will overcome fear when you fixate on what you feel the most passionate about. Your vision is the promise of the career you truly want.
4. Poor Self-Esteem – Lack of confidence and faith are deal breakers. Don’t beat yourself up. Reach out to others to avoid the downward spiral of isolationism and depression. Speak with a therapist that you want on your dream team.
5. Poor Planning – Failure to plan is really planning to fail. Prior planning prevents piss-poor performance. Make sure your objectives are specific, measureable, action-oriented, realistic and time sensitive. Stick to a realistic plan that helps you avoid distractions. Disorganization can hider your search. Plan your work, and then work your plan.
Read the other 5 sins today at http://blog.timesunion.com/careers
Thanks,
Dr. Tom
www.CareersInTransitionLLC.com
careersintransition@yahoo.com
(518) 366-8451
Showing posts with label nonprofit tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nonprofit tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
New Resources
America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2007
OJJDP Strategic Planning Tool
Social Science Rising: A Tale of Evidence Shaping Public Policy
The Team Around The Child (TAC) and the Lead Professional: A Guide for Managers
The Team Around The Child (TAC) and the Lead Professional: A Guide for Practitioners
The Forgotten Fifth: Child Poverty in Rural America
Evidence-Based and Evidence-Informed Programs: Prevention Program Descriptions Classified by CBCAP Evidence-Based and Evidence-Informed Categories
Factors Influencing Child maltreatment Among Families Leaving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
Policy and System Change: Creating a Successful Action Plan
Re-forming the Social Service Business Partnership: Setting out the Vision and Strategies for Reform
Financing and Budgeting Strategies
Setting a Community Agenda
Strategies to Achieve Results
The Data Difference: The Data User's Guide: Using Data for Better Decisions
OJJDP Strategic Planning Tool
Social Science Rising: A Tale of Evidence Shaping Public Policy
The Team Around The Child (TAC) and the Lead Professional: A Guide for Managers
The Team Around The Child (TAC) and the Lead Professional: A Guide for Practitioners
The Forgotten Fifth: Child Poverty in Rural America
Evidence-Based and Evidence-Informed Programs: Prevention Program Descriptions Classified by CBCAP Evidence-Based and Evidence-Informed Categories
Factors Influencing Child maltreatment Among Families Leaving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
Policy and System Change: Creating a Successful Action Plan
Re-forming the Social Service Business Partnership: Setting out the Vision and Strategies for Reform
Financing and Budgeting Strategies
Setting a Community Agenda
Strategies to Achieve Results
The Data Difference: The Data User's Guide: Using Data for Better Decisions
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Intrepid Philanthropist
The Intrepid Philanthropist is a brand-new blog from the Center for Strategic Philanthropy and Civil Society at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy. A group effort, the blog offers a series of posts by several respected philanthropic thought leaders. Bloggers include Sally Osberg, President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation; Phil Buchanan, President of the Center for Effective Philanthropy; Venture Philanthropy Partners' Mario Morino; and Joel Fleischman and Edward Skloot of the Center for Strategic Philanthropy and Civil Society.
Read more online at: http://cspcs.sanford.duke.edu/blog
Read more online at: http://cspcs.sanford.duke.edu/blog
Social Outcomes': Missing the Forest for the Trees?
By Mario Morino
For the past month, I have worked through draft after draft of this column as I've struggled to properly express my concern about the growing movement to advance 'social outcomes'—as well as 'impact,' 'measurement,' 'metrics,' 'evaluation,' 'accountability,' and a half-dozen other related concepts—for nonprofit organizations.
Here is my concern, as best as I can manage to articulate it. I am increasingly worried that the vast majority of funders and nonprofits are achieving, at best, marginal benefit from their efforts to implement outcomes thinking. Granted, there has been some truly meaningful progress. Select hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic have made great strides in assessing their outcomes and being transparent about their performance. And the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and a few others have keenly focused on the challenge of social outcomes and have dealt with them well. Yet many other efforts may end up misdirecting, even wasting, precious time and financial resources. In some extreme situations, well-intentioned efforts may actually risk producing adverse effects on nonprofits and those they serve.
Keep in mind this comes from a guy who has been strident in stressing the importance of outcomes and assessment for nonprofits for close to 15 years!
Read the rest of Mario's blog online at: http://www.vppartners.org/learning/enews/archive/2010/jan10.html#cc1
For the past month, I have worked through draft after draft of this column as I've struggled to properly express my concern about the growing movement to advance 'social outcomes'—as well as 'impact,' 'measurement,' 'metrics,' 'evaluation,' 'accountability,' and a half-dozen other related concepts—for nonprofit organizations.
Here is my concern, as best as I can manage to articulate it. I am increasingly worried that the vast majority of funders and nonprofits are achieving, at best, marginal benefit from their efforts to implement outcomes thinking. Granted, there has been some truly meaningful progress. Select hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic have made great strides in assessing their outcomes and being transparent about their performance. And the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and a few others have keenly focused on the challenge of social outcomes and have dealt with them well. Yet many other efforts may end up misdirecting, even wasting, precious time and financial resources. In some extreme situations, well-intentioned efforts may actually risk producing adverse effects on nonprofits and those they serve.
Keep in mind this comes from a guy who has been strident in stressing the importance of outcomes and assessment for nonprofits for close to 15 years!
Read the rest of Mario's blog online at: http://www.vppartners.org/learning/enews/archive/2010/jan10.html#cc1
5 Social Media Secrets for 2010
Thanks to Slideshare.net for this:
Social media took a wild ride in 2009. The mainstream press fell in love with Twitter, Facebook grew aggressively and a new wave of companies starting taking social media seriously as a business tool. Below are 10 secrets to staying on top of it all in 2010
1. Pay Attention to the Metrics
You can't manage what you can't measure. Chief Marketing Officers are going to pay more attention to metrics and tie in social media more directly to overall business goals, not just web-related goals. When starting up new project agree on what the metrics should be and what goals are appropriate.
2. Scale Good Habits
As you grow, make sure you match your structure, policy and guidelines to your organization size. What works with 2 people won't work with 20 people. All in all your structure should encourage good habits. Your entire team should be motivated to respond quickly, post consistently and talk like a human. Speaking of policies and rules...
3. Have Rules, But Trust People
As your social media strategy matures, you'll add in more rules and guidelines. However, you can't have a rule for every situation. You need to trust your team. Lead by example, don't manage with rulebook.
4. Creativity & Personality Trump Big Budget
Social media is definitely one of those areas in life where more money doesn't always win. Two of the most powerful ingredients in social media are creativity and personality. They are the key to having a viral message and to being a trusted resource. They are also essential to discovering useful strategies and tactics. You can't be afraid to try something new or go against the grain.
5. Listen Listen Listen
Don't focus so much on you and your message. Put that farther down on your To Do List. Focus first on your customers. Hear what they are saying, see what they're up to. Once you've been able to connect, and figure them out, then see how you can help.
Social media took a wild ride in 2009. The mainstream press fell in love with Twitter, Facebook grew aggressively and a new wave of companies starting taking social media seriously as a business tool. Below are 10 secrets to staying on top of it all in 2010
1. Pay Attention to the Metrics
You can't manage what you can't measure. Chief Marketing Officers are going to pay more attention to metrics and tie in social media more directly to overall business goals, not just web-related goals. When starting up new project agree on what the metrics should be and what goals are appropriate.
2. Scale Good Habits
As you grow, make sure you match your structure, policy and guidelines to your organization size. What works with 2 people won't work with 20 people. All in all your structure should encourage good habits. Your entire team should be motivated to respond quickly, post consistently and talk like a human. Speaking of policies and rules...
3. Have Rules, But Trust People
As your social media strategy matures, you'll add in more rules and guidelines. However, you can't have a rule for every situation. You need to trust your team. Lead by example, don't manage with rulebook.
4. Creativity & Personality Trump Big Budget
Social media is definitely one of those areas in life where more money doesn't always win. Two of the most powerful ingredients in social media are creativity and personality. They are the key to having a viral message and to being a trusted resource. They are also essential to discovering useful strategies and tactics. You can't be afraid to try something new or go against the grain.
5. Listen Listen Listen
Don't focus so much on you and your message. Put that farther down on your To Do List. Focus first on your customers. Hear what they are saying, see what they're up to. Once you've been able to connect, and figure them out, then see how you can help.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The 8 Keys to Networking
Networking has been and continues to be the number one job search strategy. A network is an interconnected group of supporters who serve as resources for your job search. Some folks hesitate to network because they feel awkward asking for help. Though you might feel nervous when approaching a potential contact, networking is a skill that develops with practice, so don't give up. Most people love to talk about their jobs and are willing to give realistic, and free advice.
1. Be Prepared - First, define what information you need and your core goals for networking. Remember, your purpose is to get to know people who can provide information regarding careers and leads. Other benefits include increased visibility within your field, propelling your professional development, finding suitable mentors, increasing your chances of promotion and perhaps finding your next job. Second, know yourself, your education, experience and skills. Practice a concise, one-minute presentation of yourself. Your networking meeting should include the following elements: introduction, self-overview, Q&A, obtaining referrals and closing.
2. Be Targeted - Identify your network. You may be saying, “I don't have much of a network. I really don't know anyone.” You can start by listing everyone you know who are potential prospects: family members, friends, faculty, neighbors, classmates, alumni, bosses, co-workers, Facebook friends and community associates. Attend meetings of organizations in your field of interest and get involved. You never know where you are going to meet someone who can give you a lead.
3. Be Professional - Ask your networking prospects for advice, not for a job. Your networking meetings should be a source of career information, advice and contacts. Start off the encounter with a firm handshake, eye contact and a warm smile. Focus on asking for one thing at a time. Your contacts expect you to represent yourself with your best foot forward.
4. Be Patient – Heena Noorani, Research Analyst with New York-based Thomson Financial, recommends avoiding the feeling of discouragement if networking does not produce instant results. She advises, “Be prepared for a slow down after you get started. Stay politely persistent with your leads and build momentum. Networking is like gardening: You do not plant the seed, then quickly harvest. Networking requires cultivation that takes time and effort for the process to pay off.”
Read about the other 4 at http://blog.timesunion.com/careers
1. Be Prepared - First, define what information you need and your core goals for networking. Remember, your purpose is to get to know people who can provide information regarding careers and leads. Other benefits include increased visibility within your field, propelling your professional development, finding suitable mentors, increasing your chances of promotion and perhaps finding your next job. Second, know yourself, your education, experience and skills. Practice a concise, one-minute presentation of yourself. Your networking meeting should include the following elements: introduction, self-overview, Q&A, obtaining referrals and closing.
2. Be Targeted - Identify your network. You may be saying, “I don't have much of a network. I really don't know anyone.” You can start by listing everyone you know who are potential prospects: family members, friends, faculty, neighbors, classmates, alumni, bosses, co-workers, Facebook friends and community associates. Attend meetings of organizations in your field of interest and get involved. You never know where you are going to meet someone who can give you a lead.
3. Be Professional - Ask your networking prospects for advice, not for a job. Your networking meetings should be a source of career information, advice and contacts. Start off the encounter with a firm handshake, eye contact and a warm smile. Focus on asking for one thing at a time. Your contacts expect you to represent yourself with your best foot forward.
4. Be Patient – Heena Noorani, Research Analyst with New York-based Thomson Financial, recommends avoiding the feeling of discouragement if networking does not produce instant results. She advises, “Be prepared for a slow down after you get started. Stay politely persistent with your leads and build momentum. Networking is like gardening: You do not plant the seed, then quickly harvest. Networking requires cultivation that takes time and effort for the process to pay off.”
Read about the other 4 at http://blog.timesunion.com/careers
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
10 Inspiring Documentary Recommendations for 2010
Thank you to Jessie Rock, of Every Child Matters Long Island, for this post!
The medium of film allows us intimate access to others' lives, their struggles, and ultimately to the humanity that links us all. The following are ten documentary recommendations that feature children and youth. The stories they reveal and the people they introduce us to will inspire you and compel you to act. There is also one bonus film selection.
(All synopses are from Netflix)
1. "Blindsight" (2006)
Six blind Tibetan teenagers set off on a gripping adventure as they attempt to climb the 23,000-foot Lhakpa Ri on the north side of Mount Everest. Considered cursed in Tibetan culture, blind children are often hidden away to live as pariahs. Determined to challenge that perception, the kids gear up for a demanding expedition led by climber Erik Weihenmayer -- the first blind man to scale Everest -- and learn some lessons about life along the way.
2. "Born Into Brothels" (2004)
British filmmaker Zana Briski's Oscar-winning documentary is a portrait of several unforgettable children who live in Calcutta's red-light district, where their mothers work as prostitutes to ensure their survival. Spurred by the kids' fascination with her camera, Briski decides to teach them photography. As they begin to look at and record their world through new eyes, the kids awaken to their own talents and sense of worth.
3. "The Boys of Baraka" (2005)
In an experimental program to reduce the rate of juvenile delinquency, the city of Baltimore sent a group of 12-year-olds deemed "at risk" to a boarding school in Kenya, affording the boys the rare opportunity to turn their troubled lives around. Focusing on four of the youths, this compelling documentary follows the students as they struggle to overcome the obstacles of their past in their hopeful bid for a shot at a brighter future.
4. "The Business of Being Born" (2007)
Director Abby Epstein's controversial documentary takes a hard look at America's maternity care system, juxtaposing hospital deliveries against the growing popularity of at-home, natural childbirths that some expectant parents are opting for. Former talk show host Ricki Lake was inspired to produce this compelling exposé after a dissatisfying birthing experience with her first child left her with many unanswered questions.
5. "Garbage Dreams" (2009)
Teens Adham, Nabil and Osama are forced to find new ways to support themselves and their families when their jobs as under-compensated garbage collectors are replaced in director Mai Iskander's documentary. Born and raised in Mokottom -- aka "Garbage City" in Cairo -- the boys had little choice but to join the Zaballeen, who've cleaned up the city for 100-plus years. But foreign contractors are disrupting all they've ever known.
6. "Mad Hot Ballroom" (2005)
Ballroom dancing goes from lame to cool for a group of New York City students in this insightful documentary, which follows a group of 11-year-olds as they learn to dance old-school styles including the merengue, rumba, tango, foxtrot and swing. Candid interviews capture the kids' initial reluctance at learning ballroom dance and their transformation into serious competitors determined to win a citywide competition.
7. "Praying with Lior" (2007)
Lior Liebling, a Jewish boy with Down syndrome, spends his days praying endlessly to God, much to the delight -- and occasional befuddlement -- of those around him. Follow Lior, nicknamed "the little rebbe," as he approaches his bar mitzvah. Ilana Trachtman's coming-of-age documentary paints a touching portrait of a family, while raising tough questions about notions of faith and disability.
8. "A Touch of Greatness" (2004)
When he became a teacher in the 1940s, Albert Cullum realized something was lacking in his classes and decided to stray from the by-the-book, discipline-heavy style favored by his colleagues, instead using poetry and drama to put life and emotion into his teaching. This documentary from Leslie Sullivan (produced by Catherine Gund) depicts a man who challenged traditional teaching methods and proved that creativity has a place in every classroom.
9. "Very Young Girls" (2007)
David Schisgall's startling documentary captures the heartbreaking stories of underage girls -- many as young as 13 -- who've been forced into prostitution in New York, exposing how pimps use isolation, violence and drugs to keep girls dependent. Many of the girls interviewed take part in GEMS, a shelter and mentoring program founded by activist Rachel Lloyd -- once a prostitute herself -- that helps them transition out of "the life."
10. "War Dance" (2006)
Set in civil war-ravaged Northern Uganda, this Best Documentary Oscar nominee follows the lives of three youngsters who attend school in a refugee camp and find hope through a rich tradition of song and dance. Coming from a world in which children are abducted from their families and forced to fight in the rebel army, these kids give it their all when they travel to the capital city to take part in the prestigious Kampala Music Festival.
***BONUS: This film is guaranteed to inspire you into action!***
"Favela Rising" (2005)
Co-directors Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary's acclaimed documentary charts the growth of Rio de Janeiro's AfroReggae movement, a grassroots effort to combat the soul-crushing oppression of the city's most notorious slum. Led by former street thug Anderson Sa, the nonviolent program celebrates Afro-Brazilian culture, drawing on hip-hop music and dance to unite the impoverished neighborhood against the ubiquitous drug pushers and corrupt cops.
The medium of film allows us intimate access to others' lives, their struggles, and ultimately to the humanity that links us all. The following are ten documentary recommendations that feature children and youth. The stories they reveal and the people they introduce us to will inspire you and compel you to act. There is also one bonus film selection.
(All synopses are from Netflix)
1. "Blindsight" (2006)
Six blind Tibetan teenagers set off on a gripping adventure as they attempt to climb the 23,000-foot Lhakpa Ri on the north side of Mount Everest. Considered cursed in Tibetan culture, blind children are often hidden away to live as pariahs. Determined to challenge that perception, the kids gear up for a demanding expedition led by climber Erik Weihenmayer -- the first blind man to scale Everest -- and learn some lessons about life along the way.
2. "Born Into Brothels" (2004)
British filmmaker Zana Briski's Oscar-winning documentary is a portrait of several unforgettable children who live in Calcutta's red-light district, where their mothers work as prostitutes to ensure their survival. Spurred by the kids' fascination with her camera, Briski decides to teach them photography. As they begin to look at and record their world through new eyes, the kids awaken to their own talents and sense of worth.
3. "The Boys of Baraka" (2005)
In an experimental program to reduce the rate of juvenile delinquency, the city of Baltimore sent a group of 12-year-olds deemed "at risk" to a boarding school in Kenya, affording the boys the rare opportunity to turn their troubled lives around. Focusing on four of the youths, this compelling documentary follows the students as they struggle to overcome the obstacles of their past in their hopeful bid for a shot at a brighter future.
4. "The Business of Being Born" (2007)
Director Abby Epstein's controversial documentary takes a hard look at America's maternity care system, juxtaposing hospital deliveries against the growing popularity of at-home, natural childbirths that some expectant parents are opting for. Former talk show host Ricki Lake was inspired to produce this compelling exposé after a dissatisfying birthing experience with her first child left her with many unanswered questions.
5. "Garbage Dreams" (2009)
Teens Adham, Nabil and Osama are forced to find new ways to support themselves and their families when their jobs as under-compensated garbage collectors are replaced in director Mai Iskander's documentary. Born and raised in Mokottom -- aka "Garbage City" in Cairo -- the boys had little choice but to join the Zaballeen, who've cleaned up the city for 100-plus years. But foreign contractors are disrupting all they've ever known.
6. "Mad Hot Ballroom" (2005)
Ballroom dancing goes from lame to cool for a group of New York City students in this insightful documentary, which follows a group of 11-year-olds as they learn to dance old-school styles including the merengue, rumba, tango, foxtrot and swing. Candid interviews capture the kids' initial reluctance at learning ballroom dance and their transformation into serious competitors determined to win a citywide competition.
7. "Praying with Lior" (2007)
Lior Liebling, a Jewish boy with Down syndrome, spends his days praying endlessly to God, much to the delight -- and occasional befuddlement -- of those around him. Follow Lior, nicknamed "the little rebbe," as he approaches his bar mitzvah. Ilana Trachtman's coming-of-age documentary paints a touching portrait of a family, while raising tough questions about notions of faith and disability.
8. "A Touch of Greatness" (2004)
When he became a teacher in the 1940s, Albert Cullum realized something was lacking in his classes and decided to stray from the by-the-book, discipline-heavy style favored by his colleagues, instead using poetry and drama to put life and emotion into his teaching. This documentary from Leslie Sullivan (produced by Catherine Gund) depicts a man who challenged traditional teaching methods and proved that creativity has a place in every classroom.
9. "Very Young Girls" (2007)
David Schisgall's startling documentary captures the heartbreaking stories of underage girls -- many as young as 13 -- who've been forced into prostitution in New York, exposing how pimps use isolation, violence and drugs to keep girls dependent. Many of the girls interviewed take part in GEMS, a shelter and mentoring program founded by activist Rachel Lloyd -- once a prostitute herself -- that helps them transition out of "the life."
10. "War Dance" (2006)
Set in civil war-ravaged Northern Uganda, this Best Documentary Oscar nominee follows the lives of three youngsters who attend school in a refugee camp and find hope through a rich tradition of song and dance. Coming from a world in which children are abducted from their families and forced to fight in the rebel army, these kids give it their all when they travel to the capital city to take part in the prestigious Kampala Music Festival.
***BONUS: This film is guaranteed to inspire you into action!***
"Favela Rising" (2005)
Co-directors Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary's acclaimed documentary charts the growth of Rio de Janeiro's AfroReggae movement, a grassroots effort to combat the soul-crushing oppression of the city's most notorious slum. Led by former street thug Anderson Sa, the nonviolent program celebrates Afro-Brazilian culture, drawing on hip-hop music and dance to unite the impoverished neighborhood against the ubiquitous drug pushers and corrupt cops.
Working Solo Minute: Marketing in a Tight Economy - January 13, 2010 (#088)
Courtesy of Working Solo:
While recent economic news is a bit brighter, the reports I'm hearing from the front lines are that soloists are still facing some pushback when it comes to selling their products and services. Here are three things to keep in mind when marketing in a tight economy:
1. Specify.
Yes, you still need to sell benefits over features -- the delight, pleasure, satisfaction, relief of stress or fear, or financial returns attained through buying your product or service. But in today's economy, soloists also must be specific and provide as many details as possible. With funds tight, buyers want to know all the details, so they can be assured of investing their resources wisely.
Read more online at: http://www.workingsolo.com/minute088.html
While recent economic news is a bit brighter, the reports I'm hearing from the front lines are that soloists are still facing some pushback when it comes to selling their products and services. Here are three things to keep in mind when marketing in a tight economy:
1. Specify.
Yes, you still need to sell benefits over features -- the delight, pleasure, satisfaction, relief of stress or fear, or financial returns attained through buying your product or service. But in today's economy, soloists also must be specific and provide as many details as possible. With funds tight, buyers want to know all the details, so they can be assured of investing their resources wisely.
Read more online at: http://www.workingsolo.com/minute088.html
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Differentiating Volunteering and Working for Pay
From Susan Ellis's Blog:
My professional wish for the new year is that everyone (and especially decision-makers, the news media, and funders) open their eyes to the important things that make employees and volunteers different.
Much of volunteer management today focuses on the similarities of volunteers and employees – how both groups are recruited and supported to be successful in working toward the same mission. As a practical matter, this is appropriate. But it is also limiting. It tends to push volunteers into uniformity rather than celebrating their potential to act with far fewer boundaries.
In our desire to gain acceptance for volunteers within agencies, we work to reassure colleagues that volunteers are just “like” employees. Is this really the goal? Think of what we might accomplish if volunteers had free rein to make the most of what distinguishes them from a paid work force: flexibility, the luxury of focus, short bursts of energy, and multiplicity of perspectives.
Read more online at: http://energizeinc.com/hot/2010/10jan.html
My professional wish for the new year is that everyone (and especially decision-makers, the news media, and funders) open their eyes to the important things that make employees and volunteers different.
Much of volunteer management today focuses on the similarities of volunteers and employees – how both groups are recruited and supported to be successful in working toward the same mission. As a practical matter, this is appropriate. But it is also limiting. It tends to push volunteers into uniformity rather than celebrating their potential to act with far fewer boundaries.
In our desire to gain acceptance for volunteers within agencies, we work to reassure colleagues that volunteers are just “like” employees. Is this really the goal? Think of what we might accomplish if volunteers had free rein to make the most of what distinguishes them from a paid work force: flexibility, the luxury of focus, short bursts of energy, and multiplicity of perspectives.
Read more online at: http://energizeinc.com/hot/2010/10jan.html
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Year Changes for Your Business (or Nonprofit)
From the Big Thinking for Small Business Blog
Welcome back to work. We all have files and little things that must be updated each year. I won’t even presume to guess what spreadsheets or documents need to be updated at your place.
Here is a checklist as 2009 flips over to 2010.
* Change the copyright date on your customer-facing websites. Nothing says dated like a 3 year old copyright footer.
* Check your web forms. If any of them (or your paper forms) were configured as 200_, last week was a good time to change them.
* Postage rates rise today. Check out the official USPS site for postage increases. If you are a big mailer and haven’t updated your budget, now would be a good time. Cash flow projections too.
* A new tax year has started. Talk with your tax consultant or accountant, but if you were supposed to change your withholding or take any payroll actions, you should be dealing with that issue now.
* My personal favorite for businesses with more than a handful of employees. Every application that can be logged in from outside (even a blog) should be scrubbed for user name entries and passwords for former contractors, vendors and employees. You should regularly do this, but using the beginning of the year as a double-check is a good reminder.
* The IRS last month established 50 cents as the 2010 mileage rate for deductions. Change your expense reporting.
Read the blog online at: http://www.sbmteam.com/blog/new-year
Welcome back to work. We all have files and little things that must be updated each year. I won’t even presume to guess what spreadsheets or documents need to be updated at your place.
Here is a checklist as 2009 flips over to 2010.
* Change the copyright date on your customer-facing websites. Nothing says dated like a 3 year old copyright footer.
* Check your web forms. If any of them (or your paper forms) were configured as 200_, last week was a good time to change them.
* Postage rates rise today. Check out the official USPS site for postage increases. If you are a big mailer and haven’t updated your budget, now would be a good time. Cash flow projections too.
* A new tax year has started. Talk with your tax consultant or accountant, but if you were supposed to change your withholding or take any payroll actions, you should be dealing with that issue now.
* My personal favorite for businesses with more than a handful of employees. Every application that can be logged in from outside (even a blog) should be scrubbed for user name entries and passwords for former contractors, vendors and employees. You should regularly do this, but using the beginning of the year as a double-check is a good reminder.
* The IRS last month established 50 cents as the 2010 mileage rate for deductions. Change your expense reporting.
Read the blog online at: http://www.sbmteam.com/blog/new-year
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