The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution
Clip Sheet |
| Reproducible articles
Feel free to use and adapt the following announcements in publications, web sites, etc. There are three versions of differing lengths: 400 words, 280 words, and 150 words. Book cover and author images are also available under "Graphics." Download a Word version of these articles.
400 words: A new book by award-winning author and thought leader David La Piana offers nonprofits a fast track to strategic planning. The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution: Real-Time Strategic Planning in a Rapid-Response World is the result of four years of foundation-funded research by La Piana Consulting on effective strategy formation. As an executive director and then as a consultant, La Piana has seen first-hand the problems with traditional planning: nonprofits spending large amounts of time and money developing a formal three-year plan, only to find that it needs revision in a few months. Or worse yet, it ends up sitting on the shelf. "Strategic planning should make the organization more 'strategic'—that is, better able to meet the challenges of a dynamic environment," explains David. "Experts stress that the most important outcome of strategic planning is to instill strategic thinking in the organization which leads to strategic action by management." Ironically, true strategy formation is not a role traditional strategic planning plays very often. La Piana's research shows that the current process is used primarily to produce annual workplans and to communicate the leadership’s intentions—not to form, adjust, and implement organizational strategies that will carry out those intentions. The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution offers a nimble alternative. At the heart of the book is the Real-Time Strategic Planning Cycle. “This fluid, organic process guides nonprofits through the steps to sound strategy. With it, leaders will be able to identify, understand, and act on challenges and opportunities as they arise—not in six months when the ‘plan’ is done. The ultimate goal is to help nonprofits reliably and efficiently produce powerful strategies—patterns of behavior that will enhance their organization’s success,” states David. Besides being nimble, La Piana’s approach is also fast. In a one-day session, the planning team creates criteria (a “strategy screen”) by which future strategies will be assessed. The next time a critical issue pops up, staff will have strategic principles in place to respond quickly. The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution includes exhibits and case examples showing how concepts play out in real-life. The CD-ROM includes a facilitator’s guide to the one-day planning session with customizable agenda, instructions for preparing flip charts, prework to be done, handouts, and worksheets. Order from bookstores or directly from the publisher at www.FieldstoneAlliance.org or call 1-800-274-6024. $32.95, 208 pages, paperback, ISBN 978-0-940069-65-7. 280 words: A new book by award-winning author and thought leader David La Piana offers nonprofits a fast track to strategic planning. The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution: Real-Time Strategic Planning in a Rapid-Response World is the result of four years of research by La Piana Consulting on effective strategy formation. As an executive director and then as a consultant, La Piana has seen first-hand the problems with traditional planning: nonprofits spending large amounts of time and money developing a formal three-year plan, only to find that it needs revision in a few months. Or worse yet, it ends up sitting on the shelf. "Strategic planning should make the organization more 'strategic'—that is, better able to meet the challenges of a dynamic environment," explains David. The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution offers a nimble alternative to traditional planning. At its heart is the Real-Time Strategic Planning Cycle. “This fluid, organic process provides the steps to sound strategy. With it, leaders will be able to act on challenges and opportunities as they arise—not in six months when the ‘plan’ is done. The ultimate goal is to help nonprofits produce powerful strategies—patterns of behavior that will enhance their organization’s success,” states David. Besides being nimble, La Piana’s approach is also fast. In a one-day session, the planning team creates criteria (a “strategy screen”) by which future strategies will be assessed. The CD-ROM includes a facilitator’s guide to the one-day session with customizable agenda, instructions for preparing flip charts, prework to be done, handouts, and worksheets. Order from bookstores or directly from the publisher at www.FieldstoneAlliance.org or call 1-800-274-6024. $32.95, 208 pages, paperback, ISBN 978-0-940069-65-7. 150 words: A new book by thought leader David La Piana offers nonprofits a fast, nimble track to strategic planning. The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution: Real-Time Strategic Planning in a Rapid-Response World gives organizations a process that enables them to act on challenges and opportunities as they arise—not in six months when the ‘plan’ is done. In addition to new ideas for how to form strategies, it provides the tools and framework needed to infuse strategic thinking throughout your organization. The result: your nonprofit will be more strategic in thought and action on a daily basis, without subjecting your board and staff to the traditional strategic planning marathon. So, when the next opportunity (or challenge) comes along, you'll be able to respond swiftly and thoughtfully. Order from bookstores or directly from the publisher at www.FieldstoneAlliance.org or call 1-800-274-6024. $32.95, 208 pages, paperback, ISBN 978-0-940069-65-7. |