Building Nonprofit Capacity: A Guide to Managing Change Through Organizational Lifecycles (©2011, Jossey-Bass), by John Brothers and Anne Sherman, shows nonprofit leaders how to effectively shepherd a change process within their organization. Based on research from TCC's organizational effectiveness studies and results from the core capacity assessment tool (CCAT, used with over 1000 organizations), the book provides an assessment's lifecycle score that reflects the organization's current stage of development. The lifesycle model assumes that there is an optimal destination that all nonprofits should strive to achieve and helps leaders understand what needs to be done to make the journey from point A to point B as successful as possible. The seven stages of the organization lifecyle include:
- Idea: there is no organization, only an idea for one;
- Start-up: An organization that is the beginning phase of operation;
- Adolescent: An organization whose services are established in the marketplace but whose operations are not yet stabilized;
- Mature: an organization that is well established and operating smoothly;
- Decline: an organization that is operating smoothly but is beginning to lose market share;
- Turnaround: an organization that is losing money, is short on cash, and is in a state of crisis;
- Terminal: an organization that no longer has a reason to exist.
Associations and nonprofits (as well as for-profits) that are prepared for market shifts prevail as well as soar to new competitive heights, says Mohan Nair, author of Strategic Business Transformation (©2011, John Wiley & Sons). The book lays out a framework for understanding and withstanding business transformation, especially when your traditional anchors have become incompatible with the new market waves forming. The author also describes how to avoid the seven deadly sins in business:
- Ignoring the new principles of business transformation
- Driving without a cause;
- Missing market momentum;
- Ignoring the two orders of value;
- Overlooking transformational servant leadership;
- Mistaking capability for strategic competence; and
- Expecting flawless execution without a performance platform.
The Instant Survivor: Right ways to Respond When Things Go Wrong (©2012, Greenleaf Book Group Press), by Jim Moorhead, offers an actionable process based on proven business practices that will enable managers to resolve personal and professional crises at any level of any organization and help their team members navigate rough waters. In addition to detailing how to use crisis management plans and other business tools, the book presents personal stories of individual survivors. In-depth profiles of Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, former Boston Red Sox manager Terry “Tito” Francona, and other well-known personalities, provide an exploration of what survival really means. The book also teaches a four-step plan to overcoming disasters:
- Stay Frosty: Remain calm and focused when a crisis begins;
- Secure Support: Tap into your network of personal and professional contacts;
- Stand Tall: Take full responsibility for your actions;
- Save Your Future: Prepare for post-crisis success.