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Archive for the ‘planning’ Category

7 Strategies for Organizational Success

29 Mar

MastermindWhile the operational  basis of many groups and organizations is laudable, often positive efforts are marred by inherent operational flaws. Goals may be reached, but at the expense of membership, and long-term organizational stability.

Just as groups typically share positive aspects, drawbacks and development opportunities are common. Many are missing the mark by not properly using the resources at hand, and desperately need to refocus the organization, in order to be effective.

Here 7 strategies for successful organizational operations:

  1. Any organization’s greatest strength and resource lies in the membership.
  2. No organization should ”be” solely to “exist.”
  3. An organization exists to serve needs through the unique support it offers.
  4. An organization serves as the central connecting point, providing a structure.
  5. Success of an organization is not measured by fund raising or similar short-term ventures, rather by ongoing operation, expanding in scope, continual healthy member base growth.
  6. Success of an organization is accomplished through harnessing the integral strength of the entity while moving toward the established goal, over time.
  7. The purpose of membership should never be to support the organization, rather than the cause.

Review this list of 7 strategies alongside a group, organization or community you are involved with — how does it measure up?

Organizational “success” lies not in how many more arms can be twisted to sell greater quantities of gift wrap for the fundraiser this year, but how much more support can the entity provide to aid in reaching the common goal?

Realistically, most groups have one or more areas to fine-tune. This is an ongoing process, due group dynamics and not operating in a static environment. To ensure continued good health, an organization should do periodic reviews, evaluating status and areas to address.

Based upon findings and observations, establish a plan of action, and revamp accordingly. Sometimes a refocus of an organization is necessary, in order to be more effective.

This is part 2 of a series on Organizational Success

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Posted in Organizational Success, planning

 

Advice from the Caterpillar: Who are you?

10 Mar
Who are you?

Who are you?

Recently, my family and I enjoyed Tim Burton’s 2010 version of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” starring Johnny Depp. In my mind, this fantastical movie served up some great creative fodder. It left me not only realizing how “Alice” I am in reality, but filled me full of still-deeper thoughts and allusions related to communications and combating business-as-usual. 

When Alice and the caterpillar first met, he sleepily asked her, “Who are you?”

“Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have changed several times since then.”

To me, this statement represented ”business-as-usual.” Over my many years as an adviser, I have frequently observed this practice in action. It’s well-recognized that business owners wear many hats, constantly switching them throughout the day. Sometimes “serial entrepreneurs” are known to switch channels every 6 or 9 months, heading off to what they perceive to be greener pastures. Other business folk use their simplistic business models to turn on a dime — but often cutting corners a bit too sharply, making changes that aren’t a “fit,” albeit the latest marketplace trend.

It all comes back to the original question — “Who are you?” Or – ”who” is your business? A succinctly-elegant elevator pitch is not going skyrocket your business if this foundational element is not defined and fused into the core being of  the operation. It is integral and serves as the basis from which all actions flow.

Until this positioning statement is fully defined and embraced, work effort, time and money spent will be wasted over the long-run. A short-term success or surprisingly big sale may occur to encourage, but it is a fleeting moment.

The marketplace is dynamic and ever-changing, but the focus of the overall effort must remain steadfast. To remain viable, is with a clear definition of “who” you are, or “who” your business is — what do you offer? Some may refer to this as a ‘Unique Selling Proposition (USP),’ but I see the USP as something to build upon this core definition. This definition is taking  just a small, initial step in devising a positioning statement describing the core element of the business and what it offers.

Are you interested in amping-up your communications or fine-tuning your efforts? If so, contact me any time, via the Contact Form located on this website.

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Posted in branding, communication, marketing, planning

 

Happy New Year: What Will it Bring?

04 Jan
Becky Cortino

Becky Cortino

 
 
 
 
 
Happy New Year!

By now, we’ve greeted the New Year together, anticipating joys to-be discovered and unexpected adventures! What exciting plans do you have?

In this New Year, I will be expanding my focus, and forging out in familiar directions, on newly-blazed trails. Inspired by Chris Brogan’s “3 Words for 2010,” I have established 3 aspects of concentration. I admire his brevity, but personally feel the need to have a little more to hang onto for direction this year. My areas of development for 2010 are as follows:

Social Media: I will be sharing more information, with widespread integration and increasing collaboration. Are we connected?

Communications Services: I am expanding my professional services and products for my clients; offering them in new ways.

Writing: I will be business-writing more – but less in other ways. In the last week, my third book in my Applied Humor Therapy series has now been officially shelved – indefinitely. As I prepare for 2 major speaking engagements this year I will use my work, but it will not be in book form even though  nearly completed.

 

I look forward to hearing what your plans are, and seeing how the New Year unfolds – exciting times ahead! :) Please leave your comments…

What do you have planned for 2010?

How can I help you with your plans for this New Year?

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Posted in Social Media, communication, marketing, planning, writing

 

4 Keys to Stay on Track and Realize Your 2010 Business Goals

02 Jan
Top 3 Goals

Top 3 Goals

As a fresh New Year stretches out before us, ’tis that season when great plans are enthusiastically made, often with seemingly boundless optimism and energy. If you’re like me, you already have an ever-expanding list of things you want to accomplish this year!

Effective planning will help you stay on track and realize your 2010 business goals.  Here are 4 keys to help you in the process:

  1. Identify your top 3 goals — but wait! There’s more… don’t stop there. In fact, don’t even lay out a detailed action plan, schedule dates, and be off and running just yet. Take each of your top goals and break them down into manageable parts, as components.
  2.  Select the part associated with each goal that will begin to move you in the direction to attaining it. This means you are not setting out to devour the entire elephant this month, but you will get a good start in the process, by taking specific steps.
  3. Set up a calendar to lay out a systematic plan. By working your way through a strategic series of steps, you will reach your goal. Because you can see progress and enjoy the accomplishment along the way, it is easier to work the system incrementally.
  4. Evaluate and track your progress weekly. Schedule this review in your calendar. Accountability is a great motivator. Enlist a business partner, colleague, friend or spouse to encourage you in your efforts.

Business goals and dreams may be “super-sized” in scope, but to stay on track, while improving the business bottom line, “bite-sized” portions simply dished out on a continual basis are far more effective and satisfying. Working into a frenzy, ever-hungering for some sign of progress then throwing in the towel, often results with unmet goals and incomplete projects.

Expect challenges and difficulties with related changes and new directions. It’s easy to forget this is normal, no matter how committed you are to the task at hand. Once you’re on a roll and realize the sweet taste of success with each incremental step along the way to reaching your top 3 goals, it will be easier to stay on track and realize them.

What are your top 3 business goals this year? In my next post, I’m going to reveal what exciting new directions I plan to take. Look forward to seeing this New Year unfold — and hearing what your plans are!

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Posted in business tools, planning