Lorain’s Blog – Leadwell 360, LLC

02Jan 2024 by Lorain Crowl No Comments

Not Just Surviving but Thriving in a Tough Economy

Non-Profit Leaders Talk Challenges in 2024

Strategies for leading in an ever-changing world. Welcome to 2024! In part V, the last of this series, there is much concern about inflation and interest rates in the non-profit world, so it’s no surprise that the current financial environment made the list of top 5 challenges organizations will face in 2024. In addition to operating in a post-COVID environment, managing staffing issues, navigating board engagement, and fostering collaboration, the rise in the cost of money, goods and services is top-of-mind. If your organization is feeling the financial impact of inflation, here are a few steps you can take to help minimize its effects - not just survive, but thrive in this new year: Get an independent Financial Analysis - Consider contracting with a professional to complete an independent analysis…

14Dec 2023 by Lorain Crowl No Comments

Fostering Community Collaboration

Non-Profit Leaders Talk Challenges in 2024

Strategies for leading in an ever-changing world. How do I successfully foster collaboration when non-profits and other partners are so internally focused on surviving in this tough economy? This topic of building collaboration came up often when I asked non-profit leaders what leadership challenges they were anticipating in 2024. I would say that it is natural instinct to “circle the wagons,” so-to-speak, when navigating tough economic times, but often this strategy can lead to isolation and can do your organization more harm than good. Understand when I talk about community collaboration, I'm talking about not just collaboration among non-profits, but bringing in all sectors of the community, like local and state government, business leaders, civic organizations and more - not just to donate time and talents, but to be involved…

14Oct 2023 by Lorain Crowl No Comments

Managing Board Leadership & Engagement

Non-Profit Leaders Talk Challenges in 2024

Strategies for leading in an ever-changing world. As I shared before, I called on several of my executive colleagues and asked, “What are the top 5 challenges your organization will face over the next year?” Their first concern was operating in a post-COVID environment; their second concern was managing staffing issues. The third most frequent concern I noted was: How do I successfully manage varying levels of board leadership & engagement in the organization? I’ll admit, this issue is tricky, and the answer is not at all cut and dried. However, there are a few basic ways to help protect the organization, your staff, you, and your board when it comes to board leadership and engagement. Conduct a Board Analysis.In my experience and based on feedback from my colleagues on…

07Oct 2023 by Lorain Crowl No Comments

Staffing in a Changing Work Environment

Non-Profit Leaders Talk Challenges in 2024

Strategies for leading in an ever-changing world. As I shared in a previous post, I called on several of my executive colleagues and asked, “What are the top 5 challenges your organization will face over the next year?” Their first concern was operating in a post-COVID environment. Here is the second most frequent response I received: We’ve been dealing with staffing issues and a changing work environment since 2020. What can we do to attract talented staff in such a competitive market on a limited budget? It’s true. We all know it. Real concerns like the ability to provide a competitive salary, being able to offer remote or hybrid work schedules, supporting staff through mental and physical health challenges post-COVID – these are all top-of-mind concerns for non-profit leaders. Here…

01Oct 2023 by Lorain Crowl No Comments

Leading in a Post-Covid World

Non-Profit Leaders Talk Challenges in 2024

Strategies for leading in our ever-changing world. This is the challenge I hear most frequently: Will our organization be able to adjust successfully in both programming and funding in this post-COVID environment? We all know the old saying, “hope is not a strategy.” A complete evaluation of your operations will tell you for sure how prepared your organization is to face 2024. Even though it can be intimidating, organizations that will thrive in the coming months and years will turn hope into a solid action plan. As COVID funds on federal, state, and local levels are depleted, many leaders regret not taking the time to develop a post-COVID transition plan for both staffing and funding. If you are leading an organization and haven’t had the time to create a transition…