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September 16, 2013 by Jodi Davis

Structure your Board for Success

Nonprofit boards must create an effective structure together with the policies and procedures that support good governance.  Board structure is one-fifth of the Pentagon of Performance—an instrument developed by JD Coaching and Consulting after conducting extensive research on board performance.  High-performing boards with an effective report more engagement and enhanced collaboration from their members.

Structure is more than just the size of your board; to be efficient and successful, boards must create a strong committee structure and meeting framework to ensure the board’s time is utilized well.

Questions to address:

  • How large should your board be?
  • How many board committees should exist to be most effective?
  • How long should a board member serve?
  • How can your board organize its meeting to be most efficient?
  • How often should meetings be held and how long should they be?
  • How do you ensure the discussions taking place in your board’s meetings are of quality and helping promote the mission, vision and assets of the organization your board’s serves?

What does your board need to improve its structure?  JD Coaching & Consulting has helped numerous nonprofit boards evaluate and design the appropriate structure for achieving their potential.  If you are interested in learning more you can request a copy of our benchmark study.

 

Filed Under: High Performance, Nonprofits

August 1, 2013 by Jodi Davis

Unleashing Employee Potential

My very best boss asked me a powerful question when I joined her company: “What can I do to help you be successful?” At first, I was taken aback that this entrepreneurial business owner was offering to help me do my job, but then she simply stated, “Your success is my success!”

That conversation happened nearly 20 years ago. Since then, I’ve come to realize the value of that philosophy. When you invest in people, there is a definitive ROI—a return on individual—that translates to the bottom line. Investment in people is inextricably linked to performance.

Because my manager encouraged me to develop myself further, I worked harder to achieve results. It’s clear: invest in your people, and they will invest in you.  There are many ways to invest in and empower employees – recognition strategies, training programs, coaching and mentoring are all ways to show individuals you value them.

Formal education and on-the-job training can be enhanced with specialized programs including sales training, communications workshops, client-relationship-management techniques and training for working in a multicultural or multi-generational environment. Nonprofit clients often opt for donor-engagement training and board sessions on fundraising and community relations. These are great opportunities to invest in training so that your organization can thrive and you can achieve your full potential.

As the economy grows stronger and the job market becomes more welcoming, employees will have more choices. Investing in their development is a proven way to increase retention. If you want high performance from individuals, lift them up—don’t beat them down. Light a fire in them, not under them.

How do you show your employees they are valued? How do you coach and develop new leaders? We welcome the opportunity to explore possibilities for unleashing your employees full potential. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Filed Under: Career, High Performance

July 25, 2013 by Jodi Davis

Empower Your Board with Education

Board performance is inextricably linked to a nonprofit’s success. The board has a weighty responsibility to safeguard the mission, vision and assets of the organization they serve. This is only possible when board members understand their role and the primary facets of the agency. They must be educated in the following categories:

  • History and programs
  • Strategy
  • Current situation
  • Governance role
  • Fiduciary responsibility
  • Fundraising and development

High performing boards have an effective process for on-boarding and educating new members. They also invest in periodic continuing education. So what are you doing to make sure the individuals on your board have the knowledge they need to not only fulfill their role as part of a board of directors, but to feel fulfilled as well?

JD Coaching and Consulting developed the Pentagon of Performance after conducting an extensive survey on board performance. Education is one-fifth of a framework that measures the strength of nonprofit boards. Let’s explore the various dimensions of the Pentagon of Performance and how it could further develop your board. Request a copy of our Nonprofit Board Performance benchmark study.

Would you be interested in assessing how your board measures against high-performing boards? Contact us to learn more.

Filed Under: High Performance, Nonprofits

May 30, 2013 by Jodi Davis

Collaboration: How Does Your Board of Directors Rank?

Collaboration has a wide-ranging, comprehensive influence on your board of directors. When we talk about collaboration, we are not only referring to the ability of your directors to work together, but also to your board’s ability to work effectively with executive management, organizational stakeholders and the community.

There is a strong link between board collaboration, composition and overall board effectiveness. At its core, collaboration is about individuals working together for a common purpose. Do you have the right individuals in place? And are you giving them the tools they need to collaborate effectively?

Improving board collaboration involves setting clear expectations and providing board training on the importance of involvement and advocacy. It also means building consensus, commitment and a community of support. Although these involve your board as a whole, the true essence of collaboration starts with the individual.

JD Coaching and Consulting developed the Pentagon of Performance – a model for board performance – after conducting an extensive survey on board effectiveness. Collaboration is one-fifth of a framework that measures the strength of nonprofit boards. Request a copy of our benchmark study on Nonprofit Board Performance.

How does the collaboration of your board measure against high-performing boards? Contact JD Coaching and Consulting to learn more.

Filed Under: High Performance, Nonprofits

May 29, 2013 by Jodi Davis

Your Résumé is a Valuable Gem

Diamonds are the most precious of gems—we value them even with their imperfections. Human beings are a lot like diamonds; each of us is like a multi-faceted gem that develops over many years, sometimes under heat and pressure. When it comes to our accomplishments and careers, we shine more brilliantly when we keep an active, updated résumé. However, a surprising minority of us actually do, which means when new opportunities arise, our response is less than optimal—and potentially not our best.

The quality of our work is shaped over years of diverse challenges, experiences and achievements. How have you kept track of these milestones along the way? Have you recorded the experiences that have influenced your development and helped polish your skills?

A résumé is a perfect place to chronicle experiences that have refined the value you offer. In a recent online survey of career professionals, the greatest majority of respondents reported that they update their résumé only when planning to change jobs or after they get a new position.  My work as a professional résumé writer validates this trend. Most clients seek help with their résumé only when they need or want a new position. However, it is usually more difficult to effectively document success when a lot of time has passed since it was achieved.

Proactive clients continuously update their résumé just in case they need to self-promote within their own company, and some wise individuals just want to be prepared should a recruiter call with a new opportunity. There are both easy and difficult ways (pay now vs. pay later) methods for updating résumés.  The best analogy relates to tax season. Do  you wait until the last minute to document all of your expenses?  If so, the task feels monumental. For those who document expenses each month, the annual tax project task is much less overwhelming.

Your résumé is like a gift box for a magnificent diamond: you! Good resume presentation can help you radiate and shine. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your resume up-to-date:

  1. Be aware of résumé-worthy accomplishments as they happen. Incorporate them into your résumé periodically.
  2. Revisit your résumé or work with a professional résumé writer when you are not in the midst of a job change.
  3. Cultivate your references along the way.

Many individuals have benefited from utilizing an executive résumé service like JD Coaching and Consulting. We can help present your qualifications and transferable skills to make you shine! Interested in learning more about what this type of service entails? Contact JD Coaching and Consulting today.

Filed Under: Career

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