Strategic Management Lessons from Alice in Wonderland

It's great that your programs draw a big crowd, but if that crowd doesn't convert to donors, members or ideological adherents, then what did you really accomplish?

Many organizations focus on attendance as their yardstick of success, and will plan any program that they think will draw out the masses. Not only is it misleading, it can be expensive and use valuable time and people resources.

The goal isn't just to do anything, its to do the right things that move you toward your target.

Organizations with no Mission, Vision or Values Statement cannot blame their staff for not achieving the Board's goals. Having the statements nicely framed on the wall, like any other piece of art, and not using them as real guideposts is just as bad. Strategy (what to do and what to avoid) build themselves out from here.

As the Cheshire Cat so aptly notes, if you don't have a goal, what you do doesn't really matter.

Non profit organizations have to put up with enough issues as it is; lack of clarity shouldn't be yet another. Let's talk about what your organization wants to achieve and how to get there.

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