#NPCons

Last month we talked about what it would take to Live the Consulting Dream. In announcing the topic on Twitter, @MariaGajewski sent this response: Can we have a question about “When the Dream Turns Into a Nightmare?” I’m having one of those weeks. #NPCons We’ve all had weeks like Maria’s – client stuff that arises [...]

When we asked for topics for this month’s #NPCons chat, the responses varied widely at first glance – ranging from “expanding our client base” (thanks @ActiveKate!)  to the more nebulous “having it not be so hard.” (You know who you are, and I’m grateful for your openness in our conversation.) Stepping back to consider those [...]

This month’s #NPCons chat topic was suggested by Cheryl Hall-Russell (aka @Challruss), and wow did it resonate – so first a hearty thank you to Cheryl! Here is what Cheryl suggested: “I’ve seen boards panicking because of $ issues and taking desperate measures.” The effect of fear upon a board obviously extends beyond just a [...]

Last week, I got a call from a radio host, inquiring about my being a guest on his show. During the call, he stressed that he is a great interviewer. For 20 minutes, he told me about his interviewing skills. In that whole 20 minutes, I was never given the chance to speak. I am [...]

When working with clients, we consultants often feel like we are up against a seemingly immovable force. That brick wall may show its face before we get the gig, and often ramps up even stronger once we are in the midst of the work. It shows up as can’t and no and stuck. It shows [...]

The other day, as we were thinking about what to do for a special holiday edition of the #NPCons chat, several things happened all at once. First, I finally looked at the Flip video Dimitri shot of the Intro to Consulting to Create the Future session I taught in Omaha last month. Normally we use [...]

In July of this year, Newsweek shared a study that gave heft to a topic that has been gaining traction for a while:  The Creativity Crisis.  With this month’s Making Change podcast interview at the Chronicle of Philanthropy that conversation has begun to expand specifically into the Community Benefit sector. The interview focuses on the [...]

Consultants bring two types of wisdom to their clients. The first is all about the content – governance, planning, resource development, social media, program development, etc. When consultants are creating an environment where clients can thrive, however, they are adding an additional layer of wisdom to whatever content they provide. That layer includes ways of [...]

In honor of back-to-school days, @KimberlyTso and @NancyIannone suggested we focus this month’s chat on professional development. And while there are all sorts of ideas about where we all learn and what we all learn, perhaps the most unspoken issue is how we prioritize learning. How do we make professional development a priority? How do [...]

My friend and colleague Garth Nowland-Foreman likes to say that “Sacred cows make the best hamburger.”  So for this month’s chat, I went searching for a topic that would go well with fries! After putting out a call for Consulting Sacred Cows – the “shoulds” we are all taught as if written on stone tablets – [...]