getting your tech on: critical skills in the evolving nonprofit sector

CRITICAL SKILLS IN THE EVOLVING NONPROFIT SECTOR

GETTING YOUR TECH ON

SETTING SOME CONTEXT

WHO IS THIS GUY?

20 YEARS WORKING AT NONPROFITS

10 YEARS WORKING SPECIFICALLY IN NONPROFIT

TECH

ROLES: COMMUNICATIONS, PROGRAM

DEVELOPMENT, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, CONSULTANT

ASH SHEPHERD EDUCATION DIRECTOR

NTEN

SETTING SOME CONTEXT

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED

How can I talk about the skills I already have

What skills should I be looking to grow

SETTING SOME CONTEXT

ROAD MAP FOR SESSION

Global Shifts

Roles & Skills

Resources

Next Steps

GLOBAL SHIFTSSECTOR-WIDE PROGRESSIONS

GLOBAL SHIFTS

MOVING TOWARDS “DIGITAL FIRST”

Develop “The Thing” (Program, Campaign, Content)

Figure out how technology can be used to support it

PREVIOUS APPROACH

Develop “The Thing” around what technology can make possible

EMERGING APPROACH

Understand the role technology plays for users

GLOBAL SHIFTS

NONPROFITS BECOMING PRODUCT OWNERS

Use existing third-party technology solutions

Develop strategies based on third-party tech capability

PREVIOUS APPROACH

Build their own tech solutions to support the goals

EMERGING APPROACH

Develop strategies based on ideal for greatest impact

GLOBAL SHIFTS

“LITTLE TECH” MAKING FOR HUGE WINS

Technology was only thought of in terms of major systems

The tech used “between” the systems gets ignored

PREVIOUS APPROACH

Higher efficiency for individuals adding up to greater wins overall

EMERGING APPROACH

Personal tech is becoming a higher priority

GLOBAL SHIFTS

“TECHNICAL SKILLS” SHIFTING TOWARD IMPACT, NOT TOOLS

“Technical Skills” were only about tools (i.e. Microsoft Word)

Employees only developed tool specific skills

PREVIOUS APPROACH

Employees understand role of tech and can adapt with shifting tools

EMERGING APPROACH

Skills now around process and approaches (i.e. online fundraising)

ROLES & SKILLSWHO’S COMING INTO WORK THESE DAYS

ROLES & SKILLS

PROGRAM STAFF

Project Management

Data: Collection & Management

Bridging Online & Offline

ROLES & SKILLS

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

Advanced Social Media

> Paid Advertising

> Multi-Channel

Campaigns

Email

Visual/Graphic Design

ROLES & SKILLS

FUNDRAISING STAFF

Bridging Online & Offline

Community Management

Digital Storytelling (multi-channel)

Data: Collection & Management

ROLES & SKILLS

IT STAFF

Classic: Networks, Laptops, Servers

Developers (Coders)

Project Management

Vendor Management (Shift to Cloud)

ROLES & SKILLS

LEADERSHIP

Change Management

Talent Management

Cross-Team Management

Organizational Culture

>Generational Gaps

> Impact over tools

RESOURCESKEEP THE LEARNING GOING

RESOURCES

GET A MENTOR (PERSON OR GROUP)

Gets you out of silo

Offer advice and guidance

A place to call in times of need

RESOURCES

2016 DIGITAL OUTLOOK REPORT

NTEN Partner Report

Current state of digital programs at nonprofits

http://www.nten.org/article/announcing-2016-digital-outlook-report/

RESOURCES

NONPROFIT TECH STAFFING & INVESTMENTS REPORT

NTEN Produced Report

http://www.nten.org/article/the-9th-annual-nonprofit-technology-staffing-investments-report/

RESOURCES

PRODUCT TEAMS ARTICLE

Salesforce Foundation Article

http://www.salesforce.org/product-teams-the-next-wave-of-digital-for-ngos/

RESOURCES

THE MANAGEMENT CENTER

Great Collection of Resources

http://www.managementcenter.org/

RESOURCES

COMMUNICOPIA

Nonprofit Digital Teams Report: Influence and Impact

https://digitalteams.org/thereport/basics/

RESOURCES

HOW TO BUILD A HIGH-PERFORMING DIGITAL TEAM

Harvard Business Review Article

https://hbr.org/2013/08/how-to-build-a-high-performing

QUESTIONSSTILL LOOKING FOR SOMETHING

QUESTIONS

ANY OTHER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS?

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THE ROAD AHEADWHEN YOU LEAVE THIS SESSION

NEXT STEPS

IF YOU ONLY REMEMBER THIS

Understand experience with technology for greater impact

“Digital First” means being as agile as technology

Strategy & Process matter as much as the technology

NEXT STEPS

ASH SHEPHERD ASH@NTEN.ORG @NPTECH_ASH

THANK YOU