Matters

Why “WHY” Matters

May 22, 2014

www.npstrategies.org

Welcome

Please take a moment to capture on a piece of paper 2-3 sentences that describe your organization.

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The Golden Circle by Simon Sinek

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The Golden Circle What Every organization on the planet knows WHAT they do. These are products they sell or the services they offer.

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The Golden Circle What Every organization on the planet knows WHAT they do. These are products they sell or the services they offer. How Some organizations know HOW they do it. These are the things that make them special or set them apart from their competition.

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The Golden Circle What Every organization on the planet knows WHAT they do. These are products they sell or the services they offer. How Some organizations know HOW they do it. These are the things that make them special or set them apart from their competition. Why Very few organizations know WHY they do what they do. WHY is not about making money. That’s a result. It’s a purpose, cause or belief. It’s the very reason your organization exists.

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The Golden Circle

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The Golden Circle

“People don’t buy what we do, they buy why we do it.” |8 OCF Roundtable 5.22.14

The Golden Circle and the Cone

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The Golden Circle and the Cone

But what does this MEAN for me?

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Developing Clarity Around “Who We Are”

A “Theory of Change” makes explicit the link between what we believe, what we do and what results we expect because of that

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An Equation for Thinking About a Theory of Change Putting the pieces together

• How do we create the change we would like to see? Who we Serve

• How is that unique? • What about it is critical?

Success =

• What do we believe creates the change? A clear Theory of Change will allow the organization to clarify its long term purpose and develop the vision and plan to grow and “do more”.

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Example: The New Children’s Museum NCM addresses a critical need in our society by engaging children through contemporary art to develop the skills needed for 21st century thinkers Artistic exposure & engagement NCM fills a gap in our society today providing kids with fun and engaging artistic experiences

• Direct contact/engagement with works of art • Opportunities for hands-on art making • Chance to learn directly from artists • Insight into and practice with the creative process • Participation in something innovative • Inspiration through original art

Personal successes

Critical skill development

• Sparked imagination

• Creativity

• Thinking “outside the box”

• Confidence

• Eyes opened to new things and new approaches • Increased understanding and appreciation of the value of art

• Problem solving • Interpersonal skills • Critical thinking • Collaboration • Optimism

• Rewarded positive risk taking

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What is Success?

A clear articulation of SUCCESS is critical!

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Why Do We Exist?

What is the Long Term Purpose of the Organization? • • • • •

Why do we exist? What is the change we expect to create in the world? What “end” are we trying to achieve? What does success look like for our constituents? What results will we hold ourselves accountable for?

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“Why” Drives the Direction

2-3 Year Strategic Plan • What it is we are going to do • How we are going to get to our vision • Specific goals and objectives with action plans, accountability, metrics

5 Year Vision for the Organization • How we deliver on long-term purpose in the near term • What we hold ourselves accountable to • What we aim to accomplish

Long term purpose of the Organization • Why we exist • The change we expect to create in the world • What success looks like for our constituents/caus e

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Theory of Change creates the LINK

2-3 Year Strategic Plan • What it is we are going to do • How we are going to get to our vision • Specific goals and objectives with action plans, accountability, metrics

5 Year Vision for the Organization • How we deliver on long-term purpose in the near term • What we hold ourselves accountable to • What we aim to accomplish

TOC

Long term purpose of the Organization • Why we exist • The change we expect to create in the world • What success looks like for our constituents/caus e

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Is Your “Why” Clear?

We’d like to hear from you…

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Questions to Bring Back to your Organizations • Why do we exist? • What do we believe creates the change we expect to see? • What does success look like for our constituents/cause? • What results will we hold ourselves accountable for? • How do we deliver on our long-term purpose over the next 5 years?

Impacts: decision-making, messaging, fundraising, resource allocation, program evaluation… | 19 OCF Roundtable 5.22.14

Wrap-up

Questions?

Thank you for your time today!

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