Navigating an Era of Pivots

By Renae Oswald-Anderson

I’m sure I wasn’t alone in starting the new year wishing the global pandemic was over and that we all could get back to normal, albeit a “new normal.” The last year has certainly given me a new appreciation for so many things that I had previously taken for granted. The year was filled with endless challenges of figuring out how to rejigger how we go about our daily lives, do our work, and live our mission in serving others. We know our clients faced some heavy challenges, but they persevered and made it work.   

In fact, nonprofit organizations seemingly moved mountains to reposition their programs and services and continue to meet the needs of their stakeholders and those they serve while advancing their missions. Many found they needed to shift their priorities in order to survive. As executive directors, leadership teams, and board members review their 2020 results against their strategic goals, they have much to be proud of which was hard won.  

We, at Strategic Consulting & Coaching, looked for ways we could help our nonprofit partners. To this end, we have created two new tools designed to help our clients make intentional and strategic decisions that will contribute to their mission impact and organizational sustainability. 

One of our new offerings, From Fires to Focus, will help your organization clearly identify both obstacles and opportunities (as they relate to one or two specific organizational issues) and consider them in developing new tactics that support your established strategic objectives. We will gather key players (including board leadership) and create a focused and targeted action plan for moving your organization forward. Following the two-hour facilitation, we will provide you with a written plan. We’ll also do a follow-up check-in.   

Our second offering, Foundational Strengths Assessment, is a mini-organizational assessment that gathers information about the key pillars that support your mission: governance, management, financial resources, and systems and programs to suss out roadblocks that may be holding you back. Based on Dr. Susan Kenny Stevens’ Nonprofit Lifecycles model, this tool will give you key insights on your organization’s development and what you need to do to get where you want to be. We will work with your organization’s executive director, key key staff, and board leadership to assess whether you have the organizational capacity to take your 2020 “pivot” initiative(s) to the next level and how it aligns with your current strategic priorities. 

Now more than ever, as nonprofits are called upon to pivot in order to remain relevant and live out their mission, they must proactively innovate and have a roadmap in place that guides them along the journey. Our SCC team of consultants stands ready and willing to partner with you. Planning is the most critical step to implementation. A strong plan paints a picture of your desired outcome and the role staff, volunteers, and the board have in achieving powerful results for our community.