I thought I would share with you a couple of the lessons
I’ve learned in the process of my job search.
The first comes from Sam Friedman, principal at S. Friedman
and Associates, and has to do with the importance of schmaltz in my job
search. Schmaltz refers to rendered
chicken fat in Jewish cuisine. But more
importantly, schmaltz is the secret ingredient in many recipes that transforms
a merely tasty dish into one that is mouth wateringly delicious. Sam reminded me that, while I can do a good
job for many organizations, my passion for the organization’s mission will be
the schmaltz that transforms my good work into exceptional work.
On a
more conceptual note, Dave Wyher of Delta Community Supports mentioned his
company’s use of the “Baldrige Framework” (http://www.nist.gov/baldrige/) as an
approach to assessing and improving Delta’s deliverables. The Baldrige Framework is a dynamic process
where an organization assesses its leadership, strategic planning, customer
focus, measurement, analysis, and knowledge management, workforce focus, and
operations focus with a view to improving its deliverables for all of its
stakeholders. Fully implemented, it
helps the organization not only align, but integrate its systems and processes
to further accomplish its mission. The
advantage of the Baldrige Framework, as Dave described it, is that it is not
prescriptive like ISO models. Rather
than placing the organization into a box, it frees the organizational
leadership and staff to innovate in ways that help it accomplish its mission.
Several of you spoke about impending cuts in reimbursement
rates for human service organizations, both as a result of the Affordable Care
Act, and as a result of the pressure to cut costs the federal government will
continue to experience as it seeks to balance the budget. Scott Schultz of Schultz and Williams
suggested that, while some human service organizations will seek to add
fundraising as a revenue stream, most will likely “hunker down” and ride out
the storm, much as they did in in the 80s.
As I listened several of you in the human services sector, you expressed
concern that fundraising will somehow distract you and your staff from
accomplishing your mission. Some even
equated fundraising with hosting events like golf outings, notoriously the
least productive, though the most visible, approach to fundraising.
I wonder what human service organizations could learn from
healthcare organizations like CHOP and the Visiting Nurses Association that use
fundraising as a tool to further their mission?
Betty Marmon at the Inglis Foundation appears to be applying some of these
lessons.
All the best,
Don
CONNECTIONS:
Matt Hugg introduced me to the Nonprofit Consultants Network
of Greater Philadelphia, where I met Bob Fogal, who introduced me to Robbe
Healey, who introduced me to Scott Schultz.
I also met Sam Friedman through NCN.
Russ Johnson introduced me to Dave Crosson, who introduced
me to Rob Reid, who introduced me to Dave Wyher.
Lou Beccaria introduced me to Gavin Kerr, while Matt Hugg
introduced me to Bette Marmon.
