Tips for managing in tough times: Seven steps
The December edition of the GuidStar.org newsletter included an article from Bridgespan.org that offers seven tips for managing in tough times:
“Tough times force hard choices. And these are rapidly becoming the toughest times most of us have ever seen. Even for nonprofit leaders who are accustomed to "making much of little," the repercussions of the unfolding economic downturn are likely to pose unprecedented challenges. It's hard to imagine that many (if any) of us in the sector will escape unscathed.
“So, what to do? Not surprisingly, there are no easy or even particularly novel answers to that question. But learning from what others have done before in the face of less severe financial crises can be extremely useful.
“To that end, The Bridgespan Group has begun collecting insights and advice from our clients, from other nonprofit leaders and experts, and from our own leadership. The results are sketched below. We'll be adding to and complementing them over the coming weeks and months, as we all learn more about what it takes to manage successfully through tough times.”
Click here to view the complete article, which expands on these tips. In brief, here are the seven steps:
- Act quickly, but not reflexively, and plan contingencies.
- Protect the core.
- Identify the people who matter most and keep that group strong.
- Stay very close to your key funders.
- Shape up your organization.
- Involve your board.
- Communicate openly and often.
