Management
What do we mean exactly…
In our case, Management support refers to foundational documents or internal process evaluation that allow for stable growth and future-proofing the organization.
AM/PM believes that effective management comes from optimum planning, organization, and leadership. Items fulfilling this function are more of the “big picture,” decision-making items that define who the company is and wants to be. The ability to be clear and concise in management is not always easy to come by. You need to make an effort to explain ideas in a way that your team has a clear understanding of how to achieve the vision. You have to know where you came from, in order to know where you’re going.
Many times, leadership or individual employees hold all the keys to the institutional knowledge of an organization. While it is great to have people in place that know the history of the organization, as well as, how and why certain tasks are completed in certain way, it leaves organizations open to losing everything if those people leave the company.
Smart management ensures that practices are captured to aid in future transfer of knowledge for natural organizational growth and changes.
Bylaws & Manuals
AM/PM lives and dies by the bylaws and manuals for your organization. Technically, your organization does too.
These foundational documents set the stage for your organization. Bylaws are the legal laws that the organization has set for itself and is expected to adhere to. Many times, these documents (and others) are created and rarely examined again. Current practices that are not supported with policies and policies are not longer valid in practice need to be revised or they could be your achilles heel.
Board Management
AM/PM knows that strong boards make strong organizations. The Board of Directors are the top of the organizational chart. Nonprofit organizations legally cannot exist with it.
Governance Board, Working Board, Hybrid Board… Do you know which board structure you have in place and does it align with the one that you need? The relationship between the board and the Executive Director is every changing as people in all positions change over time. Proper onboarding, training, and decision-making for the board is key to a strong organization.
Coaching & Mentorship
AM/PM understands that top leadership is a balancing act of informing and relaying decisions between the Board of Directors and Staff can be a tricky line to walk. On-going, one-on-one support between our principle consultant and an Executive Director can change hesitancies into confidence turning chaos into order. Go from being “upper-management” to an “organizational leader.”
visioning & Implementation Plans
AM/PM rarely engages in strategic planning, but visioning plans or implementation plans – this is where we shine brightest. We help dream up the world you want to create and actually build the map for you to get there.
Why don’t we handle strategic plans, you ask? Before we consulted for nonprofits, we were employees of nonprofits. The strategic planning processes we underwent as an organization had one of two outcomes:
Great sessions, impressive plans, and no action to achieve the plan;
All of the things previously noted, plus an Executive Director and/or Board of Directors that blamed the strategic planning consultant.
A plan without a path is just a picture. We don’t create pictures; we create realities. Helping to navigate the difficulties that might be part of your pivot is what makes us different.