Volatile change paralyzes individuals and organizations, creating marketplace fear, such as postponed purchases … canceled contracts… job losses. Rather than be plagued by the unknown,
Much has been written about the need for authentic leaders, but while researching my latest book, Leadership in the Metaverse, I discovered a new wrinkle.
With limited-to-no-budgets for strategic planning, it’s a tragedy that many small companies and nonprofits bypass this essential, future-shaping process. With a bit creativity, a strategic
Strategic management is a continuous process that draws together an entire enterprise, from senior management to work-teams, to devise and deliver a strategy to achieve
As a strategy consultant for three decades, I’ve seen firsthand how strategy shaping can enhance cohesive employee teamwork – internal social capital – throughout organizations.
Here’s an embarrassing, uncomfortable topic: Data shows that more than 90 percent of organizations fail to implement their strategic plans. In fact, some plans simply
Since 2003, more than 2,000 newspapers across the U.S. have closed, leaving some communities without a reliable source of local news[1]. Due to a plethora
We live in transformative times. Our physical and digital lives have merged. The definition of “real life” has been redefined. No longer are virtual worlds
As Web3 continues to capture our attention through technology such as VR and holographic communication, growing the character quality of a Servant Leader-Community Builder is
An organization’s stakeholder value proposition is an important part of strategy, along with a firm’s vision and mission. The classic definition of strategy is
Immersive media is creating new opportunities for leadership communication. Immersive storytelling invites audiences to jump into the center of the situation and experience it for
This thing called the “metaverse” – a more immersive internet – is, at its core, a movement toward interactive storytelling and experiential learning. The goal
The metaverse, a more immersive internet still in nascent stages, is expected to be a trillion-dollar industry in years ahead. In prior articles, I’ve introduced
In my book, Leadership in the Metaverse*, I discuss three, critical leadership qualities needed to move from individually-focused online worlds of “WebMe,” to being community-focused,
It may seem weird to be thinking deeply about “leadership in the metaverse,” when the bells and whistles of a more immersive internet (such as
In case you haven’t heard, the metaverse is a more immersive internet. The metaverse will feature a thrilling new level of online razzle-dazzle, including virtual
(Released by Fast Company Press on February 21, 2023.) The metaverse, which is also referred to as Web3 and WebMe, is the next phase of
Threatcasting is a very intriguing word describing a methodology used to bring together many perspectives to examine a range of issues and threats that could
Nonprofits will find it impossible to get traction on fundraising without creating the basic framework consisting of two things: A case for support document and
The new year is a time when many organizations consider strategic planning. Strategic planning is part of strategic management – a continuous process that draws
Despite decades of shared knowledge about how to shape winning strategies and achieve results, a stunning 90 percent of businesses still fail to implement strategic
Community engagement is an essential element of a vital and vibrant strategic planning program. Customers and constituents want to align with organizations they trust and
Connecting Strategic and Operational Goals and Accountabilities Spreadsheets and tables can become helpful tools to record and define pillars, strategic goals, annual goals, tactics for
Once your organization’s written strategic plan has been shaped and the strategic, three-year goals have been defined, your most important task should now focus on
Following your strategic planning workshop or series of leadership strategy meetings, the outtakes should result in strategic, longer-term, “SMART”[1] goals in four key “pillar” areas
In a recent poll among nearly 200 strategic planners, I asked: What part of the strategic plan often is missing? A vibrant strategic planning workshop?
How crucial is effective communication for your strategic plan? Nine out of 10 organizations fail to execute strategy.[1] That’s a lot of effort taking place
Are you responsible for leading a strategic plan that actually gets implemented and delivers results? Strategic planning should be life-changing and vital. Changing Hands Bookstore
If there’s anything we’ve learned so far in 2021, employees need connection and personal affirmation, not isolation. The need for leaders to create meaningful employee
I’m frequently asked whether there’s a difference between “strategy” and the act of “strategic planning.” The answer is a resounding YES! Strategic planning is a
I encourage you to consider how your strategic planning program might be repackaged to include virtual components, such as strategy sessions. Become skilled at weaving
Strategic plans include vision statements, mission statements, and values statements. These carefully chosen words provide strategic imperatives for any organization, no matter the type and
As I’ve mentioned in prior articles, strategic planning for the public sector requires more time than the process used for many nonprofits and smaller businesses.
Strategic planning for the public sector needs a vital strategic planning process My three-step framework is just as relevant for government organizations, such as municipalities,
Are you a senior executive, board member, emerging leader, or consultant responsible for leading a strategic plan that actually gets implemented and delivers results? As
Strategic plans include vision statements, mission statements, and values statements. These carefully chosen words provide strategic imperatives for any organization, no matter the type and
I love strategic planning, because being strategic is about finding purpose and fulfilling it. One of life’s miracles includes the power of personal reinvention. It’s
We’re already learning many leadership lessons during this unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic emergency – with much more to come. What can nonprofit leaders do NOW
After leading many strategic planning workshops and developing summary plans for a variety of corporate, nonprofit, trade association and higher education clients, I’ve developed a
Strategic planning is an important investment of executive, staff and board time. In working with corporate, trade association and nonprofit clients to help management teams
In an article I wrote spotlighting how to fight what’s known as the “loneliness epidemic,” I encouraged readers to love their community and to give
In late 2018, an important column by George Will of The Washington Post unwrapped a public health problem called the “Loneliness Epidemic” – how Americans
My consulting frequently focuses on helping an organization excel through determining social impact, or a “grand challenge” – the Big Why. A purposeful “grand challenge”
Employees can expect to change jobs 10 to 15 times during their lifetime according to labor statistics. Many job changes bring about a whole new
With deadlines and daily responsibilities swirling, we all can feel overwhelmed from time to time. Feeling overwhelmed often includes exhaustion and a paralyzing fear of
During a two-year research project, I studied the topic of “Leadership For Change,” and distilled key obstacles to organizational change and answered an age-old question:
When I find excellent source material featuring incredible insight, I like to spotlight authors and their work. While researching a project, I discovered a publication,
Whether you’re riding the elevator with the CEO, or you are the CEO conducting a media interview, or simply want to be more engaging as
If you’re helping a nonprofit organization sharpen its ability to raise major donor investments and cultivate a more diversified group of contributors, one of the
In my prior article focused on five major gates or steps for innovation in any organization, I emphasized three essential leadership skills for leading innovation
According to a survey conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership, the drive for innovation was cited as the No. 1 trend impacting organizational strategy[1].
With so many distractions vying for our time and mental capacity, making good use of creative time and space is more important than ever. That’s
Note: Part I focused on practical opportunities for generations to learn from each other. This article explores qualities of effective, innovative leaders – timeless for
We have more opportunities than ever before to create purposeful work and a rewarding life through continual learning relationships – interactions with people, professional networks,
We live in a digital world where online transactions help to facilitate speedy decision making and action. However, meaningful face-to-face experiences are vital for creating
What happens when a nonprofit’s board member – the one who set up the organization’s PayPal account – moves away without notice, and steals the
As you embark upon a new year, taking time to reflect, celebrate successes from the past year, and plan new goals is an important step
From time to time, all of us find that it’s time to make a change. It could be the hope for a work promotion, a
A few years ago I wrote a book, Building Your Career Portfolio, discussing how mentoring fits into the activity of lifelong learning as part of
While in the lobby of a service organization, I overheard a typical conversation between two employees. “How’s it going?” asked the boss. “Well, it’s not
When my book featuring a “Career Portfolio” approach was published by Cengage in three languages and distributed globally, I asked questions that today are still
It’s been said that only one percent of people across the globe have ever taken the time to contemplate and develop a sense of personal
Many organizations seeking donor investments make the mistake of only focusing on one type of revenue source – special event fundraising. Event fundraising most often
Why do successful organizations catch the attention of investors and result in major funding, while other nonprofits and start-ups lack the capacity to raise funds?
Who ever heard of maximizing your strategic planning process by leveraging social media? Exactly! This is why your company should be doing just that. With
Your strategic plan should be your company’s living blueprint guiding today, tomorrow, and the foreseeable future – not a shelf ornament. Rather than a passive
So, you’re embarking on your organization’s strategic planning process, leading the charge, and feeling far, far behind. You know you need to hire some outside
An action-oriented strategic plan includes basic ingredients: The organization’s vision, mission, a succinct summary of external forces shaping competitive threats, an unvarnished assessment of the
One of my favorite parts of strategic planning involves engaging participants from the get-go. When a strategic planning session is kicked off with a group
As a board member, this was the worst strategic planning session I had ever attended. At a fancy hotel conference room, a well-meaning facilitator started
Summer is a great time for strategic planning! As onewho’s led and shaped a wide variety of corporate,nonprofit and small business strategic planning sessions,I’ve found
One of the joys of my professional life is gathering leaders to share collective wisdom from lessons learned, whether it’s at a community symposium or