A brief but interesting read on the sometimes delicate foundation of assumptions shared by nonprofits and those who support them. Economist.com. … [Read more...]
All Together: A Creative Approach to Organisational Change
Organizations need to be efficient and innovative but, in today’s social and economic conditions, they also need to be able to respond creatively to external challenges while staying true to their core purpose. This report looks at one organization journey towards achieving this. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s story is an example of an organization in turnaround. Over the past few years it has embarked on an ambitious transformation of its famous Stratford-upon-Avon home. At the same time it has transformed its entire way of working by … [Read more...]
Stealing Fire: Creative Deviance in the Evolution of New Ideas
A different look at how you create break-through innovation. Stealing Fire: Creative Deviance in the Evolution of New Ideas - Academy of Management. … [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...]
The Zombie Workplace Survival Guide
Just in time for Halloween, the Harvard Business Review blog offers tips for combating the four contagions that create a zombie workplace — "where creative people and good ideas disturbingly molder." The Zombie Workplace Survival Guide - H. James Wilson and Kevin Desouza - Research - Harvard Business Review. … [Read more...]
Exploring and Defining Influence: A New Study
With most arts organizations racing get more fans and followers online, they may be interested in the results of this thought-provoking survey. Influence (particularly online) has less to do with the size of your audience and more to do with the value of the content you are providing. Exploring and Defining Influence: A New Study. … [Read more...]
Creating a Customer-Centric Business
Professor Ranjay Gulati of Harvard Business School discusses how organizations can become more customer (or audience)-centric and why this is a critical time for them to do so. YouTube - Creating a Customer-Centric Business. … [Read more...]
How the Magazine Industry Can Save Itself
This is an interesting piece from FastCompany about the challenges of content providers, which I think has important implications for arts organizations. "In the internet age, distribution isn't a competitive advantage. But highly curated content can be. " How the Magazine Industry Can Save Itself | Co.Design. … [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...]
Billy Beane and Outcomes: What Can Baseball Tell the Nonprofit World About Measures and Measurement?
A fresh look at empirically driven outcome measures; from the "moneyball" guys. What do you think of the lessons they take away from the example? Are there others that stand out to you? Billy Beane and Outcomes: What Can Baseball Tell the Nonprofit World About Measures and Measurement?. … [Read more...]
What’s an organization for?
With many folks talking about the need for new business models to make arts organizations more sustainable, The Artful Manager's Andrew Taylor takes the discussion a bit further. What's an organization for? - The Artful Manager. … [Read more...]
Advocating for Arts in the Classroom
Mark Bauerlein has made a truly splendid argument for the real and important intrinsic value of the arts in our education system. Advocating for Arts in the Classroom : Education Next. … [Read more...]
Principles Workbook: Steering Your Board Toward Good Governance and Ethical Practice
This workbook is designed to help organizations assess and strengthen their governance practices. It outlines 33 principles of good governance, providing an overview of each principle, key questions to guide discussions, the legal implications for each principle, and additional resources that might be helpful. There are also worksheets included to help you record and prioritize any follow-up actions that are identified through the use of the workbook. I'm curious to hear from anyone who uses this tool - did you find the conversations with … [Read more...]
What Is the Real Function of an Arts Organization?
In this Urbanophile post, Aaron Renn questions some cities' decisions to fund large arts complexes but not the art taking place inside those walls. Renn gives interesting examples of both cities that are defined by their buildings and those known for their arts. I'm very interested to hear your thoughts on this one. The Urbanophile » Blog Archive » What Is the Real Function of an Arts Organization?. … [Read more...]
Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software
Steven Johnson is an amazing thinker and this book raises intriguing questions for how cultural programming might be designed in the future. Amazon.com: Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software (9780684868769): Steven Johnson: Books. … [Read more...]