What if you could sit down with 25 successful consultants and ask them what makes their businesses tick? In The Nonprofit Consulting Playbook: Winning Strategies from 25 Leaders in the Field, Susan Schaefer and Linda Lysakowski have compiled a first-of-its-kind insight into the everyday lives of consultants to the nonprofit sector. This collection of firsthand articles takes the reader on a journey that spans a consultant’s professional life—from the decisions that formed the business to a detailed set of options for winding it down. The beauty of this book lies in the honesty of its 25 contributors. They write openly about the decisions that guided their business models, their early mistakes, and their lessons learned. Even those in this business for decades have commented that their copies of The Playbook are strewn with highlights and bookmarks. It's a fun, informative read that gets into the minds of people who have consulted for at least a decade. The Playbook’s first-person storytelling has a style that will both inform and entertain. Most importantly, it has the power to transform your business—or your future business—in ways large and small. From insider retellings of client stories to state-by-state registration requirements, its contents will guide basic decisions for the life of your business. Readers will find answers to these questions and more: <ul>
<li>What can I do to prepare myself before I start consulting?</li> <li>How should I determine my scope of business?</li> <li>How should I set fees and get off to the right financial start?</li> <li>Which marketing strategies work best?</li> <li>How do I close a deal with potential clients?</li> <li>How do I deal with angry, slow-paying, or demanding clients?</li> <li>How can I grow or reinvent my business?</li> <li>How do I regroup when business is slow?</li> <li>What information should I include in contracts?</li> <li>What state regulations might apply to my business?</li> </ul>
The list goes on! The Playbook does not tell the reader what to do. Instead, itoffersindividual accounts that walk the reader through a businessperson’s thought processes, actions, and reflections about a given subject. The main takeaway: there is no one path to success. While directed at those who serve the nonprofit sector, The Playbook offers valuable lessons for all consultants. Even those who serve the for-profit sector will benefit from articles about naming your business, marketing, and closing the deal with prospective clients. The Playbook is a must-have guide if you fall into any of these categories: <ul>
<li>A professional who is exploring a future career path in consulting.</li> <li>A staffer who is currently making the transition into full- or part-time consulting.</li> <li>A novice consultant who wants to get off on the right foot.</li> <li>A veteran consultant who wants to strengthen, reenergize, or reinvent your business.</li> </ul>
Written by these highly successful nonprofit-sector consultants: <ul>
<li>Helen B. Arnold</li> <li> Betsy Baker</li> <li>Jean Block</li> <li> Jan F. Brazzell</li> <li> Ellen Bristol</li> <li> Pamela A. Cook</li> <li> Michelle Cramer</li> <li> Bob Crandall</li> <li> Marti Fischer</li> <li> Gayle L. Gifford</li> <li> Mary Hiland</li> <li> Margaret M. Holman</li> <li> Simone P. Joyaux</li> <li> Linda Lysakowski</li> <li> Alexander “Sandy” Macnab</li> <li> Stephen C. Nill</li> <li> Meri K. Pohutsky</li> <li> Sandy Rees</li> <li> Eugene A. Scanlan</li> <li> Susan Schaefer</li> <li> Martha H. Schumacher</li> <li> M. Kent Stroman</li> <li> Justin Tolan</li> <li> Sandra Migani Wall</li> <li>Deborah Ward</li> </ul>

The Nonprofit Consulting Playbook: Winning Strategies from 25 Leaders in the Field (In the Trenches)

Business & Money

Lysakowski, Linda

Schaefer, Susan

Industries

CharityChannel Press

Nonprofit Board Service for the GENIUS is a first-of-its kind reference for the millions of people who are seeking to serve on a nonprofit board or already serve on one. It is a fun, informative read that candidly highlights a board member's ups and downs. Perfect for the novice, the veteran who needs a refresher, or the executive director looking to take the group to a higher level; it has been acclaimed by experts as the resource that the sector has been waiting for. The book takes the reader through the process of searching for a board, the first year of membership, into the leadership realm, and beyond. It is ideal for these purposes: <ul>
<li>Decision-making tool for finding the right board</li> <li>Board orientation takeaway</li> <li>Board meeting reference</li> <li>Board development resource</li> <li>Executive director training</li> <li>Nonprofit training text</li> </ul>
The book and its appendices contain a number of templates and sample documents that will help any nonprofit strengthen its value. Nonprofit Board Service for the GENIUS moves sequentially through the stages of nomination, early candidacy, and more advanced topics: Part 1: Board Service with Your Eyes Wide Open Chapter 1: Why Would Anyone Want to Serve on a Nonprofit Board? Chapter 2: Board Basics Chapter 3: Just the Facts Chapter 4: Finding the Right Match Chapter 5: Getting From Here to There: From Candidate to Board Member Part 2: Hit the Ground Running Chapter 6: Ready, Set, Action! Wait, Who Does What? Chapter 7: Board Anatomy 101 Chapter 8: Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, 990s...Oh My! Chapter 9: Creating a Roadmap: Strategic Thinking and Planning Part 3: Digging In Chapter 10: Budgets: A Financial Blueprint Chapter 11: Other Fun Financials Chapter 12: From Ambassador to Advocate Chapter 13: The "F" Word: Fundraising Chapter 14: Risk Management: Covering Your Assets Chapter 15: Measuring Organizational Success: The Board's Role Part 4: Behind the Curtain Chapter 16: Board Recruitment: The Dating Game Chapter 17: Orientation: An Essential Beginning Chapter 18: Make Meetings Magical Part 5: The Care and Feeding of Your Leaders Chapter 19: ED-Chair Partnership: The Dynamic Duo Chapter 20: Supporting and Evaluating the ED Chapter 21: Hiring and Firing the ED Chapter 22: What If Your Leaders Flee to Cancun? Chapter 23: Founders and Long-Time Leaders Part 6: Taking the Reins Chapter 24: Assessing the Board's Performance Chapter 25: Keeping Board Members Engaged and Connected Chapter 26: When Things Go Awry Chapter 27: Board Culture: Boards Are People Too Appendices include a sample board commitment form, individual board member fundraising plan, conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, document retention and destruction policy, and executive director evaluation. Nonprofit Board Service for the GENIUS is a must-have guide for these groups: <ul>
<li>Executive directors looking to propel the board to the next level</li> <li>Community members interested in exploring board service</li> <li>Novice board members driven to learn more</li> <li>Veteran board members who would like to brush up on basics or take on a leadership post</li> </ul>
With real examples of inspiration and what to avoid, the book's vignettes show that board work takes time and commitment, but enables creativity and provides immense personal and professional benefits and opportunities. Its spirited tone will follow readers to the boardroom and into communities around the country.

Nonprofit Board Service for the GENIUS

Wittig, Bob

Job Hunting & Careers

For the GENIUS Press

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