Larry Johnson, CPA gave a great presentation on the use of dashboards for nonprofit organizations.
The following are some important lessons learned by those in attendance that you don't want to miss out on. Larry's presentation and a few additional handouts will be uploaded soon.
Advisory Boards are suggested for bad/old board members
Ask ‘bad board members’ to be in this group… They can do a few things a year.
This also Adds to your list to evangelists
What should a comprehensive Dashboard report?
Input, output, outcome, efficiency
Full detailed logic model:
Priorities should be Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Plans
Dashboards show you how you’re doing every day/month/year in touch with your plan
Balanced Scorecard Approach:
Strategy leads to...
Financial, Business Processes, Learning & Growth, Customer
If the plan is not actively monitored, goals and outcomes fail to be met…
If you don’t monitor, nothing changes
Purpose of Dashboards:
• Provide on-time info to make better decisions
• Illustrate leading indicators
• Create a stakeholder communication tool
• Make data easy to interpret and consume
• Track board attendance at all meetings
Questions to ask to create Performance Measurement Dashboard:
• Why do we exist?
• What do we stand for?
• Where are we heading?
• How do we get there?
• How do we know we’re making progress?
Memorable Quotes:
• “What gets measured gets done.”
• “Unless you’re keeping score, it’s difficult to see who wins the game.”
• “If you don’t know where you’re going, you will probably end up somewhere else.”
• "Focus on raising revenue, not on lowering costs"
• "The most successful businesses have dashboards that track the things that matter most."
Suggested Readings:
• ‘Good to Great and the Social Sectors’ - Jim Collins (also on YouTube)
• ‘Forces for Good’ - Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant
• ‘Mission’ books - Peter Brickerhoff
• ‘Complete Guide to Planned Giving’ – Deb Ashton
