A brief but interesting read on the sometimes delicate foundation of assumptions shared by nonprofits and those who support them. Economist.com. … [Read more...]
RSA Animate – extraordinary ’21st century enlightenment’
From the RSA in London, a gaggle of animated videos from their public events series. Absolutely worth ten minutes whenever you need to step back from things for a bit. RSA Animate Videos If you don't know the RSA: Building on the RSA's 250 year history as a beacon for enlightenment values, our events promote new ways of thinking about human fulfillment, capability and progress, and address key contemporary issues from the fields of education, science, … [Read more...]
The biology of business: Homo administrans
How much credit goes to your genes for your career in the performing or creative arts? [Slight tease, see chart] Biologists have brought rigour to psychology, sociology and even economics. Now they are turning their attention to the softest science of all: management. The biology of business: Homo administrans | The Economist. … [Read more...]
To Get Paid What You’re Worth, Know Your Disruptive Skills
An interesting thought on what you're selling (and therefore emphasizing) to your organization. Are you trumpeting the right things? To Get Paid What You're Worth, Know Your Disruptive Skills - Whitney Johnson - Harvard Business Review. … [Read more...]
Drucker on Managing Oneself
Worthwhile reading from one of few truly revolutionary thinkers on management. Before you can manage a project, people or an organization you must of course to be able to manage oneself. Refreshingly bracing stuff. Do you recognize anyone? Managing Oneself … [Read more...]
State of the Art – For Those Facebook Left Behind – NYTimes.com
A quick primer from NYTimes technology writer David Pogue on all things social media. Not that you need it, but you may have a *friend* who's not yet tweeting, yelping or deep in foursquare. State of the Art - For Those Facebook Left Behind - NYTimes.com. … [Read more...]
How to Translate Training into Results – Ron Ashkenas – Harvard Business Review
A brief but interesting note regarding justifying the expense - and evaluating the effectiveness of - leadership development programs. Examples are from the commercial world, but the principles apply equally to the NP sector. How to Translate Training into Results - Ron Ashkenas - Harvard Business Review. … [Read more...]
Your Brain on Computers – Attached to Technology and Paying a Price – NYTimes.com
Another brief read (I wouldn't ask you to concentrate at length) on the false economy of multitasking - including the price paid even when offline...and interpersonally. Don't miss the two related interactive tests ('Test Your Focus', 'Test How Fast You Juggle Tasks') which deftly illustrate the principle. See how you stack up. Your Brain on Computers - Attached to Technology and Paying a Price - NYTimes.com. … [Read more...]
Nonprofits, Innovation, and Performance Measurement: Separating Fact from Fiction
A recent study from Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies on constraints on innovation in the NP sector (incl. arts specifically). Limited resources cited as constraint on both innovation itself and the ability to perform rigorous program evaluation in service of identifying innovative programs. Folk wisdom of correlation between organization size and innovation is also challenged: "Innovative activity was particularly pronounced among the larger organizations, challenging the common assumption that organizations become less … [Read more...]
A new way to measure word-of-mouth marketing – McKinsey Quarterly – Marketing – Strategy
Assessing its impact as well as its volume will help organizations take better advantage of 'buzz.' A new way to measure word-of-mouth marketing - McKinsey Quarterly - Marketing - Strategy. … [Read more...]
Motivated Multitasking: How the Brain Keeps Tabs on Two Tasks at Once: Scientific American
For those convinced they are adept multi-taskers, a slim line of defense against the prevailing wisdom that it can't be done. Motivated Multitasking: How the Brain Keeps Tabs on Two Tasks at Once: Scientific American. … [Read more...]
Strategic decisions: When can you trust your gut? – McKinsey Quarterly – Strategy – Strategic Thinking
Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman and psychologist Gary Klein debate the power and perils of intuition. An interesting analysis of the role of intuition in decision-making. We often hear people argue that in the end, they 'go with their gut.' Or by contrast, they're 'driven by data.' Is intuition more reliable under certain conditions? Strategic decisions: When can you trust your gut? - McKinsey Quarterly - Strategy - Strategic Thinking. … [Read more...]
Monitor: The net generation, unplugged | The Economist
An interesting article challenging the oft-received wisdom that millenials/gen y need to learn in a fundamentally different manner than their predecessors: "...there may be 'as much variation within the digital native generation as between the generations.' ” Monitor: The net generation, unplugged | The Economist. … [Read more...]
Making emotional case for change interview with Chip Heath – McKinsey Quarterly – Organization – Change Management
An interesting perspective on bringing about change in your organization by appealing to more than just logic. Making emotional case for change interview with Chip Heath - McKinsey Quarterly - Organization - Change Management. … [Read more...]