This is a good read from Bob Sutton's blog (it also appears on FastCompany.com). With the ever-increasing temptation to focus on what's new, it's important to remember that most of our challenges (and their solutions) are not so new. I'm curious what you think. Why Bosses Ought to Be More Interested in What is True Than What is New - Bob Sutton. … [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...]
Mapping Business Models
This post introduces an interesting, knowledge-game approach to understanding and developing an organization's strategic direction. It includes a mapping tool and suggestions for how to create a team session which can be focused in any number of ways - "at the very least the game leads to a refined and shared understanding of an organization’s business model. At its best it helps players develop strategic directions for the future by outlining new and/or improved business models for the organization." We've used similar mapping tools for … [Read more...]
If you dislike change, you’re going to dislike irrelevance even more – Shinseki
I flagged this post principally for the title quote. It captures perfectly the choice facing so many arts and cultural organizations today. I like the quote and the post as a reminder of where our efforts need to be focused. Turning Point Network Journal - If you dislike change, you're going to dislike irrelevance even more - Shinseki. … [Read more...]
Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us
A fascinating animated talk by Daniel Pink about the surprising things that do (and don't) motivate people. What have you observed or experienced? How do you motivate your colleagues? Watch "Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us" … [Read more...]
Will the recession mean theatre takes fewer risks?
The Guardian's Theatre Blog has a thought-provoking post, siting a survey of arts and culture professionals that revealed 41% will be programming more "popular" work and 37% will be reducing the amount of "challenging" work that they commission. As an arts leader, how do you balance financial and creative risks? Read Will the recession mean theatre takes fewer risks? | Eleanor Turney | Stage | guardian.co.uk. … [Read more...]
How Can You Attract New Audiences Without Alienating Your Base?
Nina Simon discusses an oft-asked question for arts organizations in her Museum 2.0 blog. "If the traditional program remains sacred and new visitor experiences can only be additive, parallel programs will come and go with grant funding and the fundamental experience will not shift. At some point you have to make some "or" choices. You can't always do 'and.'" Have you had to make any "or" choices? How did you go about making those choices? Read "Museum 2.0: How Can You Attract New Audiences Without Alienating Your Base?" … [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...]
A Social Competitiveness Index | Tactical Philanthropy
A global discussion to define and track the things that make a society capable of social innovation. Read A Social Competitiveness Index | Tactical Philanthropy. … [Read more...]
Unlocking the elusive potential of social networks
We often hear arts leaders asking about how to use social media. This McKinsey Quarterly article offers a good frame for looking at social media... thinking about the word of mouth generated on social networks as a form of content that must be earned. Unlocking the elusive potential of social networks - McKinsey Quarterly - Marketing - Digital Marketing. … [Read more...]
The Limits of Nonprofit Impact – HBS Working Paper
Nonprofits are under growing pressure to demonstrate their impact to funders as well as taxpayers. This working paper argues that while performance measurement is a helpful management tool, it is not always appropriate to focus on impacts depending on the scale and scope of an organization's activities and theory of change. Though the examples focus on poverty alleviation, the discussion and questions are highly relevant for all nonprofits. The Limits of Nonprofit Impact - HBS Working Paper. … [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...]
Agnes Gund: Taking the Arts Seriously
An opinion piece that has been highlighted many places but I still wanted to flag. The piece reminds one that the construct of "the arts" marginalizes artistic and creative activity. It makes the end product the focus of attention, rather than the role artistic activity is playing in society, the process of creating and participating in art, and the affect on people engaged through the work. "The arts" has its purpose in organizing a passionate interest group and securing resources, but I wonder if the cost is greater than the benefit, … [Read more...]
Funding: the state of the art | The Art Newspaper
We are all aware that instrumental arguments alone will not suffice for the arts in future. This excellent article sums up many of the reasons why this is so, and urges us to develop new language. Funding: the state of the art | The Art Newspaper. … [Read more...]
The Atlantic :: Magazine :: How to Save the News
Ben Cameron drew my attention to this article -- it's a very good read. The Atlantic :: Magazine :: How to Save the News. … [Read more...]