Investing in Technology - The Vantage Point · •How to talk to your board . EVERY COMPANY IS...
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Transcript of Investing in Technology - The Vantage Point · •How to talk to your board . EVERY COMPANY IS...
Investing in Technology & Key Challenges to Avoid
Facilitators Jessica LangelaanNon-Profit Practice LeadTraction on Demand
Britt AndersenExecutive DirectorTerry Fox Foundation
Agenda
• Data Driven Organizations
• Challenges to avoid when implementing technology
• How to talk to your board
EVERY COMPANY IS BECOMING A TECH COMPANY
Being a Data Driven Organization
What does it mean to be a data driven organization
A Culture of Curiosity
• Quality, efficiency & continuous improvement
• Focus on program outcomes
• Intentional and experimental
• Smart spending
• Happy team – proven meaning behind your actions
Data pillars
• Visibility – is all your data visible
• Accuracy – is your data timely, relevant, accurate
• Analytics framework – do you have a common method of understanding your business (solid and meaningful reporting)
• Culture – do people trust change
Imagine – All your data in one place
Program B Budget
Volunteers
Financials
Facility InfoIT Assets
Program Results
HR DataMileage Report
Staff
Feedback
Client Survey
Event
Registrations
Newsletter
Fundraising Program A Budget
THE BEST EXPERIENCE
ANYWHERE IS THE
EXPECTED EXPERIENCE
EVERYWHERE
FOCUS ON HOW TECHNOLOGY WILL ALLOW YOU TO CREATE
MORE MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, NOT LESS
GREATER VALUE TO YOUR COMMUNITY, NOT LESS
Know your Challenges, Find the Solutions
Challenges to consider before embarking on your tech journey
• Challenges more often relate to the approach an organization takes towards implementation and adoption, as opposed to the technology selected.
• Organizations who enter technology implementations with accurate expectations, strong guidance/plan, and an understanding of where to focus stand a much greater chance of success.
We didn’t know what we were getting into
We couldn’t get the data in order
We didn’t know where to start
We struggled to adapt to the change
4 Tech Challenges Non-Profits Face
Challenge: We didn’t know what we were getting into
Money
Time
Scope
Solution: Know what you were getting into
MoneyBe prepared for the unexpected. Do not be pennywise and pound foolish
Time Set realistic project timelines and have the right resources in place
ScopeHave a vision and address it in realistic pieces
Challenge: We didn’t know where to start
Fundraising
Events
HR
Volunteers
Communication
Website
Online Donations
CRM
Programs
Financial System
Solution: Build an action plan
Consider: • Fundraising / donation management• Volunteer management• Program Management• Event management• Communication / Marketing• Financial Management• …
Current State
Future State
Require-ments
PrioritizeEvaluate Options
Pick a path!
Questions to ask:• Our biggest paint points are..• Wouldn’t it be great if…• Our constituents would love if…
Challenge: Data
Solution: Data Management
• Data migration: Take the time to start with good, clean data (don’t bring over your junk to a new system)
• Data cleanup: it never ends. keeping data healthy and clean requires an ongoing investment of time and resources.
• Keys to keeping data in healthy shape include early detection systems, regular cleaning processes, and repeating training.
Challenge: Roll out and adoption
Most energy in implementation is put into the setup/technical side, but adoption is equally important.
Adopting new systems requires major Change Management
Solution: Build an adoption plan – execute throughout the project
The Challenges TFF Faced
We didn’t know what we were getting into
We couldn’t get the data in order
We didn’t know where to start
We struggled to adapt to the change
Making the Case to Invest in the Tools you Need
Sector challenge
Capacity building seen as “administrative”.
This needs to change.
Facilities IT/systems Training Equipment Leadership Devt HR Fundraising
Talking to your board – why invest in tech?
• 360 degree view – A unified view of every interaction with clients, supporters, members, funders, volunteers and affiliates have with your organization.
• Increase efficiency / reduce manual processes
• Raise more resources / better donor stewardship
• Real-time reporting at your fingertips: Articulate program results to funders and the board
• Understand your clients and their needs leads to better programming
Talking to your board – why invest in tech?• Strengthen your community: communicate more effectively
• Find anomalies in your spending
• Collaboration – internal and external
• Engage employees and clients in program and quality improvement
• Cheap can be expensive! “We can’t afford a system admin/IT manager”
Finding funding• Approach current funders: Tech should no longer be considered an
administrative expense.
• Look for technology grants
• Be diligent with pro-bono work
• Check out McConnell Foundation’s Innoweave and their Cloud Computer Grant … awesome funding source for smaller projects!
EVERY COMPANY IS BECOMING A TECH COMPANY
More Questions? Want to Stay in Touch?
You can reach us at:
Twitter: @jesslangelaan
