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unding providers (both government and blue chip
corporates) are going to be far more discerning about
which charities they support in these tough economic
times. Organisations that have good business
management practices in place (including best practice Human
Resources and Industrial Relations) are going to attract a greater
slice of the funding and donor pie as they deliver a far greater
return on investment.
As your broad spectrum income streams slow down your staff will
start to feel the change and may be tempted to jump ship especially
if you need to make some tough decisions around redundancies of
non-core business positions.
Here are the top 10 big ticket `people' strategies to get you
through 2009 and beyond.
Communicate, communicate,
communicate!
In the absence of any real communication from you your people
will make up their own story about the ongoing survival of your
organisation. Tell them the truth but also tell them with real
conviction that you are going to get through this and outline
your plan for survival. If you are a large not-for-profit (NFP)
hand pick*
a group of positive, committed employees to form a
consultative committee. Meet with them regularly and keep them
informed about where the organisation is headed and what new
strategies you have developed to ensure your long term survival.
Email communications are great but not ideal if you're trying
to genuinely engage with your people and you need to convince
them that all is well.
*I say `hand pick' as you require committed individuals that are
going to carry your message positively to their co-workers. Often
staff that volunteer for these types of consultative committees
have their own agenda's that may well sabotage what you are
trying to achieve!
think outside the square!
Now is the time for a strategic planning session. Don't wait til
budget time. Think outside the square what other services can
you offer your clients that are within the skill sets of your current
team? Where are your non-traditional funding opportunities?
Governments are keen to fund start-up social enterprises - what are
your social enterprise opportunities?
share your best people around
Share good people that you know you can trust with other NFP's
ie share one staff member across 2 organisations. Contractual
complexities can be managed in this regard.
look at partnerships with
complementary service providers
Rather than looking at your fellow service providers as
`competition' for government, donor and corporate dollars why not
consider forming a consortium or partnership arrangement with
there has been much talk at the boardroom tables of australia's
not-for-profits of late around strategies for surviving a decline in government,
donor and corporate sponsorship.
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`people' tIps For 2009
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