NEWS OF SOFTWARE OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT, FUND RAISING AND ASSOCIATION COMMUNITIES

Recently I moved to a wonderful new location and outfitted a balcony with a 50 foot expandable hose that is a masterpiece of compactness and efficiency. It's a reminder that the right tool makes the job easy and attractive. My plants may actually get enough care and attention because this tool is so pleasant to use.

Sometimes any tool seems like an improvement. As a manager in the mid '80's I can actually remember bringing the first computer into the association office. This was the era of DOS and to perform even the simplest tasks, one had to learn arcane commands to make anything work. The screen was black and the text was orange. We painstakingly mastered Wordstar, DBase and Lotus 123 without proper manuals and a lot of trial and error. In comparison, modern software is considerably more user-friendly, whatever the shortcomings we all occasionally experience.

But suites like Office or Lotus aren't ideal for every task. Most not-for-profits and associations have mastered the basics but I am always disturbed to see processes that are not very effective. How many organizations actually use the best tools for the job?

Here are a number of processes that can be improved by using the right tools.

BRAINSTORMING

Strategy formation is vital in organizational life. Sticky notes and flip charts appear everywhere and they are great for noting ideas quickly but less capable of providing any process for follow through.It's worth looking at Mind Mapping as an alternative technique to brainstorming. The advantages of Mind Mapping is its ability not only to capture ideas but to structure them in a way that leads to action. Computer Mind Mapping Programs like VisiMap save time and incorporate group activity effectively. There are models for fundraising applications and decision making elsewhere on this site that can be used as templates for all kinds of thinking, concept and project development and strategy formation.

PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

A project emphasis rather than a programming perspective is frequently helpful. Many initiatives are now better handled as time limited projects with a beginning, middle and end -  ranging from the annual strategic plan or campaign, to the production of a promotional brochure. Programs like VisiMap can link to MS Project or scaled down project management software like Project KickStart so that tasks can be allocated and scheduled effectively. The advantage of programs like these is that they are combination tutorials and planning tools, often asking questions that we either forget or ignore.

They are part of a larger group of business planning software, which provides special tools for distinct functions such as writing formal business plans, marketing plans, sales strategy and new product development. These are invaluable because they provide templates that not only direct one to provide the right information but also create plans that are attractively formatted for presentation.

WEBSITE PLANNING

Some organization's websites are beautifully designed but sadly nobody visits them because their designers do not understand the basics of Web marketing and how different search engines work - an entirely different field. It's vital to know who is visiting your site, and how they are finding you. What words are they typing into the search engines to get there - and how can you capture and capitalize on such information to make your organization's website really pay its way? There are now programs that are part teacher - part automation systems that help get you through this vital transition and Web Position Gold is one of the most effective.

MEMBERSHIP AND FUNDRAISING DATABASE

Information is golden and unless we know how to use it we are undervaluing a precious resource. The strengths of organizational databases lie in their ability to filter and sort information in a variety of ways to tell us what we need to know.  Recent surveys of two differing not-for-profits, - one a choral group and the other a health services association showed weakness in their employees' preference for analysis - (the organizations were profiled to determine the participants' preference for different ways of thinking using the HBDI). Compared to other ways of thinking, both groups had very low preference for using facts and figures about their members and donors, and consequently they were not serving them as well as they might. Having the right tools makes it possible to generate essential information with the flick of a keystroke and provides an important opportunity for organizational growth and understanding. Purpose- built database software provides the structures to enable us to look hard at what we are doing and evaluate our programs and strategies.

That is why we are especially pleased to add QMember to our family of software  for the not-for-profit and association sector.QMember is Canadian product and its initial cost is tailored to the needs of organizations and can grow as they grow. The company also allows clients to pay in installments and unlike most comparable products it does not have annual service fees. Canny America buyers are also realizing considerable savings because of the relative position of the Canadian dollar.

If any of these products meet your needs you can learn more throughout this website or contact us for further information by using the contact information available from the home page. We now can also provide technical assistance in installing and converting data when necessary.

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

The man with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds. - Mark Twain

If there were a simple formula for success and it was easy to follow, everybody would be doing it.       - Edward C. Johnson III

Even God lends a hand to honest boldness.                 -          - Menander