Organizations invest heavily in new software expecting faster work, better service, and measurable results. Yet many implementations fall short because the way work gets done never changes. A new system doesn't create a better process. It supports the process that's already there. That's why the most successful implementations begin before...
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Organizations invest in new software to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and better serve customers. But technology alone doesn't create better results. If the process stays the same, the new system just makes the same work happen differently. Before implementation begins, take a step back. These five questions can help determine...
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Process conversations can be difficult because the word process often means different things to different people. This disconnect can lead to staff confusion, inconsistent expectations, dissatisfied customers, and poor outcomes—especially during system changes or conversions. To create clearer, more productive discussions about how work is performed, it is helpful to...
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Is your team evaluating new software? The decisions you make today will shape both the success of the implementation and the effectiveness of ongoing operations. This blog series explores how process redesign can reduce risk and improve outcomes during software implementation. The success of any software initiative depends on two...
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Is your organization looking to use artificial intelligence (AI), but wondering where to start? Using AI tools to support operations is an easy and productive win. Creating Vital Operations Procedures, the Quick and Easy Way Organizations know they need procedures documents, but dedicating time to type up work steps and...
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The volume of work during November and December for nonprofits and community foundations can overwhelm normally adequate processes and capacity. A way to create capacity and to firm up processes during the upcoming onslaught is to conduct a one-hour process walk through of all high-volume processes. This best practice reminds...
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Many organizations are installing new software systems. These organizations frequently ask: When is the right time to redesign processes when installing new software—before or after software installation? The answer is both before and after. Software Vendors Want to Help When installing new software, most software vendors hold requirements meetings with...
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Is your organization thinking about electronic payments? Worried about risk and efficiency? Here is how one organization successfully implemented a just-in-time, efficient, and effective paperless electronic payment process. Case study: Streamline Through Effective, Paperless, Electronic Payments
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What level of community impact is your team looking to create this year? One source of community impact comes through the effective delivery of service or operations. Recently, as part of our sector survey, we found that community foundations and nonprofits are transitioning from traditional operations roles to new ways...
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Internal controls are one of the most important values a chief financial officer (CFO) can bring to an organization. Yet many assume business process improvement and the imposition of internal controls are the same thing or that they can’t exist together. The truth is that when controls are both efficient...
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As the new year begins, you may wonder whether there are ways your team can improve process. I am frequently asked about this, and based on my experience and certifications, I see critical feedback from your customers and community as a sign of a potential process improvement opportunity. Feedback as...
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Many foundations and nonprofits receive the majority of their contributions during November and December. This makes for a busy donation season, which can result in employee stress and delayed responses to donors and grantees. Instead, some teams take one hour to conduct a process walk through, which enables them to...
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Is your team buried and stressed out? Are they were working overtime to deliver to your organization's partners, members, and clients? Have some employees left, leaving hard to fill roles open? Even with this situation, does your organization's leadership want to take on new programs? If any of this sounds...
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Throughout the 25 years I have been a process improvement coach and trainer, I have learned that people are the most important factor in achieving effective and efficient organization results. Yes, methodologies, training, and tools are important. But engaging the people doing the work in a way that increases their...
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Is doing more for your community one of your organization's goals? Situation A community action agency (CAP) was working hard to address all the energy assistance requests from their community while tracking with funder regulations. The agency’s energy assistance department was draining funds from the rest of the agency rather...
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Is your organization installing new technology this year? You are not alone. Many organizations are installing new software this year. And that is not about to change. Given the cost of technology, managing new software installation and maximizing technology is now a core piece of organization work. Here is a...
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Software has become a significant expense for organizations. Yet, many fail to make similar investments in a one-time deep dive that will improve day-to-day operations that would enable them to maximize the benefits of new software. Learn more in my recent article: Bust these myths and save 2800 hours in...
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Is your organization preparing the annual plan for next year? The strategic plan for the next five years? This is a time for big ideas. An important one is how to fulfill your organization’s mission by making day-to-day operations function well. Is your organization being held back by a process...
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Community foundations can fulfill their mission only when their day-to-day operations function well. Is your foundation being held back by a process that is no longer working as it should? Do you see pain points in your foundation’s daily operations? Are these challenges taking a lot of time to work...
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Many community foundations and other nonprofits receive the majority of their gifts in November and December. Even though leaders plan for this hectic time, employees often work long hours under significant stress, and despite their best efforts, they provide slow service to their community, which inevitably results in complaints. Did...
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Who in your organization has the power and responsibility to deliver consistent results to your community? Do these specific staff know that? Recently, as part of our sector survey, we found that community foundations and nonprofits are transitioning from traditional operations roles to new ways of delivering better, more consistent...
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When a foundation or nonprofit updates its software system, the purchase typically requires years of research and a financial investment that can run well into six figures. So, it’s important to make the most of that purchase. The most effective way to do that is to use system upgrades as...
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Donor-advised funds are a big growth area for foundations. More donors are contributing to these accounts at their favorite foundation. Yet these funds provide little margin to pay for the services they require. Foundations are squeezed between low margins and high service requirements as the number of funds climbs. Some...
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Have you been part of a process improvement project that required an investment of hours upon hours over months or even years? Was an operations improvement effort stopped because the team could not agree upon which improvement ideas to implement? Or an improvement initiative that made things worse instead of...
Read More Does your organization face nearly overwhelming demand, yet you have limited resources or staffing to fulfill that demand? I am told that being under resourced and understaffed is a common constraint for nonprofits. Despite such limitations, community action councils (CACs) are doing amazing work as the last line of support...
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Rapid growth can create challenges for community foundations, leading to missed deadlines and errors. Learn how one organization enlisted Lee Kuntz to help them understand their pain points and redesign processes with an eye to improve efficiencies, change systems, and build skills and will to support a more unified team....
Read More Recently, a software vendor told me that organizations considering a new software system would do well to supply their vendor with a detailed process map. Having such a map helps the vendor better address the organization’s needs and generate a more accurate quote. In four hours of work with...
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Many philanthropic organizations have only the next four months to position themselves for success this year. Given November marks the beginning the big donation season, that means there is only a limited window for completing this year’s agenda. Some organizations are focused on just surviving 2023. Others are engaging employees...
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Are you looking to improve processes and related the outcomes of your organization? Are you looking to make service to your community better, faster or more impactful? Our coached process deep dive helps teams see and solve their process pain points. They improve quality, reduce turn-around time and deliver more...
Read More Is your organization looking to make a bigger community impact? Your operations—that is, how work is done—can be a powerful contributor in accomplishing your organization’s mission. Operate for Impact For philanthropic organizations, the nuts and bolts of operations are what enable teams to award and deliver grants quickly, set up...
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Many nonprofits and philanthropies have come under pressure to be more efficient and effective than ever before. Yet, the dollars just haven’t been invested to support the kinds of operations needed to carry out today's heightened level of giving in addition to addressing emergency programs. With organization's planning and budgeting...
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Is one person in your organization performing a critical role, the responsibilities of which are not even known to others? Then you might appreciate this foundation’s success story. Case Study: Community Foundation Creates Powerful Scholarship Program
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Most philanthropic organizations take pains to carefully design and then redesign their mission, strategy, and programs. They, along with their board of directors, often hire strategic consultants and share best practices with like-minded organizations to frame their goals and objectives. Yet many spend little time improving their daily operations to...
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Many organizations are focused on building their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) capabilities. Yet daily operations continue as a priority. The community continues to need help. Funders need transparency and services. And operations processes need to be improved to deliver more services and better outcomes. With operations and DEI being...
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Many consultants offer process improvement services alongside their other services, but a consultant who is certified in proven business process improvement methods can help your team reach ambitious goals most effectively. A certified process improvement consultant can help you achieve significant, measurable results such as recapturing capacity and realizing a...
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Use Process Improvement to Transform Outcomes. Is your organization planning and budgeting for the next fiscal year? Are you tired of fighting the same pain points year after year, such as overwhelming workloads, demands for better or faster results, or challenges to maximize costly technology? During this year’s budgeting and...
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The pandemic has caused disruption to many organizations. The top priority for every organization has been finding ways to operate safely. Some also seek the capacity to do even more: more emergency assistance for their community; more internal and external social justice work; more services to donors. And they need...
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Community action programs (CAP agencies) are the last local line of defense for families in need. They feed and heat our neighbors. They step in to ready young children, who would other wise be left behind, for school success. Some CAP agencies want to do more. Therefore, they are building...
Read More Did the pandemic impact your grant payments? Are employees moving paper from location to location to get checks out? Are they working extra-long hours? Does it take more time to get checks out? What feedback is your organization getting from grantees and vendors about paper checks? One organization looked into...
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Many philanthropic organizations look to increase their focus on racial equity. Yet, how will they find the capacity to do this work? Capacity to bring in more funds? Run another educational program? Take on added back office work to accommodate these efforts? Some are adding staff and expenses. Others are...
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The COVID-19 pandemic has consumed our time and energy for half a year. Many organizations say it’s time to refocus, to both take care of now and build for the future. These philanthropic organizations are moving from being reactive to transformative to ensure they achieve their mission. How will organizations...
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Is your foundation installing new grantmaking or CRM software? Many times, staff are excited to have a new system, but they are hesitant to give up what is familiar and proven. Some philanthropic organizations address these emotions by developing a comprehensive software install plan. Such a plan addresses process change...
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Here in Minneapolis and across our nation, these are challenging times for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Local emergencies, impactful opportunities to speak up, and the COVID-19 pandemic are creating serious new needs in communities across the country. Organizations that were already operating at or near capacity find themselves trying to...
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Have you installed new software that was universally embraced and paid for itself quickly, perhaps even within 24 months? Attaining widespread employee buy-in at an affordable price is a worthy but difficult goal. Yet as new software competes for funding with other good ideas, achieving this is important. Business process...
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Most philanthropic and nonprofit organizations were working at or near capacity before the COVID-19 health crisis. But the virus has created serious new needs for the populations they serve, and many organizations are grappling with the disruption caused by a shift to remote work, declining donations, and an unpredictable stock...
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Is your office in remote mode? So many teams are now working from home as we collectively battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote work can reduce personal and community health risk. Yet it can be unhealthy for your organization. Remote work can be slower and less accurate, impacting your organization and...
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Every day teams can manage their processes to deliver winning results. By both improving and controlling critical processes, these teams can both make a big impact and get home at night. Most of us have improved processes. We have tweaked the steps of work, fixed breaks, and automated. The next...
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