Corner Office: A Pathway to Efficiency and Impact

Unlike an accreditation or certification process, the commitments can be used comprehensively or in a la carte segments to focus on an organization's specific needs. For efficiency, focus on these four areas:

Executing on Mission

Much like creating a common culture and language between departments, executing on mission helps organizations improve efficiency and impact via focus. By aligning all programs and services with your organization's mission, you save resources previously given to uncoordinated and ineffective programs. For the nonprofit sector, resources are shrinking and scrutiny of ROI is increasing, so organizations must move away from ambiguous missions and programs that do not deliver promised outcomes.

"We dropped government contracts that didn't fit our new mission, including a $14 million managed care contract," says Jim Mason, president and CEO of Beech Acres Parenting Center. "Our budget decreased dramatically, but we are serving four times the number of kids and families and are seeing improved outcomes."

Concentrate and invest in programs aligned with your mission, and choose new programs wisely. You must continually examine your organization's programs to assess their relevancy to the mission. Set parameters, and identify programs that are misaligned and phase them out. This helps nonprofits position themselves to draw a clear line from their missions to the individual contributions of each staff member and volunteer, which enables employees and volunteers to remain connected and invested to the cause. Research shows invested employees and volunteers are efficient employees and volunteers.

Partnering With Purpose

The causes of poverty and other social ills are complex. Organizations seeking to address those needs are often most effective if they partner with other organizations that contribute unique strengths. Together, they can piece together a broader network of solutions. Partnering with purpose helps nonprofits forge relationships, partnerships and affiliations that maximize their unique assets. It encourages organizations to build internal capacity via diverse partnership networks that span sectors and revolve around shared visions and values.