Chief executive officers (be they elected or appointed) often feel pressured by conflicting demands, performance measures, and lean budgetary resources.  Administrative staff may not have the high level capability to serve as an extra pair of hands to lighten executive burdens.  Outsourcing alternatives can pick up the slack in key areas that require executive attention – governance, management, fund development, communications, and conference planning – to serve the CEO who can do anything but not everything.

Governance issues

Boards need the basic tools to govern wisely -- new board members benefit from orientation and boardsmanship training.  Well planned retreats allow boards to focus on mission, vision, values, strategic planning, and fund development. Flowing from this is the need to define bylaws, develop policies, charter committees, adopt budgets, outline roles and responsibilities, and evaluate long-range leadership potential. An ongoing strategic planning process includes trend analysis, environmental scans, identification of key stakeholders, and selection of opportunities for accomplishing organizational goals. Sometimes an outside professional can most effectively deliver messages.

Transition and change mgmt

Whether a newly formed organization or a well-established one, the time may come when critical transition management is needed. A loaned or interim executive director and turn-around facilitator can team with officers, directors and staff to build perspective, energize morale, and renew productivity during periods of growth or reorganization.  A quick-study who will “mind the store” can serve as a constructive bridge between outgoing and incoming administrations.

Fund and membership development

A major part of many organizational budgets is the support that comes from member donations, magazine advertising, conference exhibits and sponsorships, corporate partnerships, and program grants.  Many parties fall into more than one category.  It is important to have a comprehensive and coherent approach to the individuals and corporate entities that provide financial support to an organization’s mission and the accomplishment of mutual goals.  Fund development is a sensitive issue and must be approached hand in glove with the CEO.

Portal to network

CEO’s can benefit from the networks built by trusted consultants who have developed RFP’s and evaluated many proposals over the years. These consultants have an established network of support services including legal, accounting, membership development, grants management, fund development, executive search, human resources, planning, information technology, and printing. This can be a real shortcut to getting things done.

Details: ceopathways@aol.com or www.plexusconsulting.com

(Second of two parts; click here to go to the first part.)