Back to work after NTC

Well it is back to work after the inspiration and knowledge gathered at the 07 NTC. Special congrats to Holly and team at NTEN for a wonderful event! With the size of the crowd and level of excitement, I think that Nonprofit Technology is finally getting some of the attention it deserves, now if we could just get a few more CEOs and funders to jump in.

Here are some of my biggest take aways from the event:

• People are desperate to connect and socialize, this is obvious by all the sessions on online communities, blogs, etc.
• Strong messages around tying the tech to mission and to outcomes
• Use of technology by nonprofits has a stark contrast of cutting edge for service delivery and web, but bottom of the barrel for daily operations? Or is that just me?

I had some others, but I think if I add more to this list it would loose its simplistic but powerful appeal. Anyway, nicely done conference.

I titled this blog, back to work, so enough about the conference for today. Here are some random thoughts as the blog promises:

Random #1 - Found this post Ten things (just ten!) that every nonprofit executive needs to know about information technology from Deborah Elizabeth Finn and I have been thinking about this from some time. I have tried to simplify this even more. CEO's at NPOs really only have a couple technology decisions to make (none of them technical). The first two decisions are to give technology the budget it deserves and the second is hire staff that understand not only the technical side, but also the strategy and application of it. Then simply give that staff the opportunity to participate actively in the planning and strategy of the organization, along with the authority and ability to speak up and have a true voice. Is it really that simple? If it is that simple then why dont I see it happening?

Random #2 - Tagging, I am in love with del.ico.us! What says more about a person than the sites they have bookmarked? A big shout out to Marnie Webb for continous innovation in many areas like tagging, she tries to give others the credit they deserve, but Marnie needs the some "props" also. Visit del.ico.us today and take a look at the NPTech tags today!

Random #3 - Anyone else almost cry when they saw that avaaz movie that won the video contest?

Well that is enough for now. It appears I am a bit more positive than last Monday, I guess that is thanks again to NTEN!

It not about you, its about us

As I attend more sessions at NTEN and have more converstations with people I hear questions about, how do I convince staff to use technology and new tools? Many people quickly turn to answers like showing them the benefit to their job or to effeciencies.

Here is a different thought. I think we all work at nonprofits in the hope that we are a part of something that will make a difference. Therefore if all technology was directly tied to the mission, then when selling a new tool explain to the staff why it is important to the mission, not just their job.

For example, if you autmate case notes, yes it will be different work for each case worker. So people try to sell it to the case manager as you will be able to work more effectively. But what if you showed that case worker, that by using the system you are enabling the leaadership to get needed data, enhance other case workers to learn from your expertise, our grant writers can use your successes more effectively to get more funding, our business and IT staff will better understand how you work to be more able to support you.

Dont just sell the benefit to each individual, show the tie to the mission. But of course all that hinges on the fact that technology is actually tied to mission and is seen as a strategic tool to get there. Which leads back to do we have the understanding and support of our leadership, boards, staff and funders or is it just IT that understands this.

Sorry if my thoughts are a bit incoherent, trying to listen and type, plus recover from the oveflow of information.

Preaching to the choir or now call it blogging to the blogger.

Day 2 of the NTEN NTC. This mornings plenary illustrated and highlighted the need for a solid technology backbone for every organization. The destruction and long lasting devastation of Hurricane Katrina has been far reaching and will continue to have an impact. I think everyone in the room agreed, nodded along and bought into it that the orgs with sound technology are more prepared to react, survive and grow through disasters.

But are we preacing to the choir or blogging to the bloggers, so to speak. I guess the struggle I keep sensing is are we getting this information to the right audience? Is telling the IT staff that technology is needed the right way to go? I think we all can agree on that or we wouldn't be at this event. So the question really is how do we get this topic to be a headline at a CEO or CVO event?

If you are reading this you are wired into technology enough to explore blogs and find this anonymous thought, so even this effort may not reach the right people?

We can talk about this as IT staff all we want, but does that matter?

Imagine thinking technology will help you meet your mission

Based on the opening plenary here at the 07 NTEN NTC, I guess I need to stop being selfish and include more links in my blog. When I return to my everyday life after this conference I hope to share some links to those who have inspired my random thoughts. So here goes...

I am sitting in a session at the 07 NTEN NTC called what technology can do for your mission. Simple concept from the first panelist from Changemakers, think about the core need that your org is trying to fill in your org, then look for a technology that can meet that. But in all this dont limit yourself to what already exists, dont be afraid to innovate. And more importantly involve those who have a vested interest and those you hope to impact, create a sense of empowerment, involvement and sharing among all involved.

Just think, technology can do more than just run your operations!!!

In contrast to some other thoughts and comments and ideas I have heard about technology, here is a random thought from the last panelist:

"shifting from hadware\software standardization to process\practice standardization"

meaning, which is more useful, getting all users to use the same exact hardware or getting them to work in the same way. or are standard tools more important than how you use them?

OK so a few good thoughts from a well balanced session. Hopefully the next is just as good.