Recent Activity | NCVO Third Sector Foresight

Questions and Answers on Strategic Planning, replied by Jake @ Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:14:35 +0000

Jake — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:14:35 +0000

These are really useful Caroline, thanks.

Some of the questions I’ve heard from individuals and groups reflect either the challenges of getting strategy done alongside the day job, or trying to get to grips with what a useful strategic plan will be for their organisation for instance.

Q: How do we develop a strategic plan on a tight budget in just a few months?

A: The reality is, everyone has to adapt their process to suit their time and budget. As well as embedding it people’s work plan and job descriptions it can be really helpful to ‘plan the planning’, getting a specific and realistic timetable for the planning process that considers,

what tasks can be shared out between staff
any significant fundraising deadlines, holidays or events that will impact on the ability of the organisation to plan and see the process through
any opportunities available to get out of the office and pick up ideas and insights to energise the planning process, like events, conferences or visits to other organisations that can be built into the timetable
costing a budget for the time taken to develop and monitor your strategy

The other question I’ve heard a lot and often struggle to answer is,

Q: What’s the difference between a strategic plan and a business plan?

A: In practice, a lot of people use the phrases interchangeably to mean similar things so it doesn’t always matter what term you’re using providing you agree whatever plan you have is right for your needs and circumstances.

Generally though, I’ve tended to say that strategic plans outline mission, purpose aims and objectives and where the organisation is going over the next five years.

A business plan, for me, suggests a strong emphasis on a business model and which may involve more detail on income strategies, financial models and scenarios and details on internal functions like HR and staff development.

I don’t think any of that is cut-and-dry though as good business cases clearly link to organisational strategy.

I’d welcome anyone else’s thoughts on this and other common questions.

Importance of work/life balance, posted by Helen @ Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:51:31 +0000

Helen — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:51:31 +0000

There is emerging need amongst Chief Executives for executive coaching which can provide a space for reflection on work issues and behaviours but which is often unavailable as a ‘space’ at work or home.

Credit crunch, replied by Natalie @ Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:28:55 +0000

Natalie — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:28:55 +0000

Is the credit crunch having an effect on your organisation? If so, tell us how.

Impact of a recession on the Lottery posted by Louisa @ Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:23:02 +0000

Louisa — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:23:02 +0000

In an uncertain financial climate, the Sector needs to look at existing funding streams and consider what the likely impact of a recession may be on these. One area of interest is the Lottery. Is it recession proof?

Unsuprisingly there is little UK evidence due to the relatively short time the Lottery has operated in this country. However, evidence from the US suggests that Lottery spending may not necessarily decline in a period of hardship. In fact, an article I read recently quotes research by John Mikesell, a professor at Indiana University published in 1994 showing that from 1983 to 1991, lottery sales tended to rise with unemployment rates.

However, the same article goes on to refer to a survey of regular players by Independent Lottery Research, a consulting firm based in Chicago, which found that last month 20 percent of them were already playing less or buying less expensive tickets.

Either way, a combination of this uncertainty and less Lottery money followng the diversion of funds to support the Olympics, makes the need for VCOs to diversify their income streams, ever more important.

Details of the article:
New York Times, September 13, 2008 – ‘Sweet Dreams in Hard Times Add to Lottery Sales’ www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/us/13lottery.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Independent%20Lottery%20Research.&st=cse&oref=slogin

Is donating a campaign action? posted by Sarah @ Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:44:52 +0000

Sarah — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:44:52 +0000

A recent newsletter from Fairsay highlights the success of a new campaign by the British Humanist Society which demonstrates that donating can be a successful campaigning action: a way for people to make a political statement by funding a campaign action.

The lessons from this example show that organisations and campaigners could consider:

Starting to integrate donations as a campaigning action

Linking donations the success of the campaigning action: it is up to supporters to make it happen

Be prepared for success and for supporters to have a more ambitious vision that the organisation

Tell your fundraisers: campaigning can be income generating

I would be very interested to hear any views and/or experiences people can share on this?

Read the article and more information about the campaign