How to Innovate: Develop a Focal Point
by Paul Prins at 9:00 amNegative connotations aside, innovation is highly attractive. It draws people into an organization, or to a person. Yet often we struggle to cultivate a culture that is conducive to community. Most commonly this lack of an innovative culture comes down to a few points:
Factors Against an Innovative Culture
- Unknown focal point
- High and rigid management
- Lack of freedom
- Lack of goals to innovate towards
- Few empowered ‘champions’
Over the next few posts we’ll address the latter four, today this unknown focal point.
Developing and Promoting your Focus
What we are saying is a strong, concise mission statement. While many non-profit organizations have inherit statements (an orphanage helping parent less children), it is important to solidify all of these statements. Once the statement is concise and encompassing the various facets of your organization need to explicitly define how they fit into your mission.
Not as Good: Cottonwood Foundation
“Cottonwood Foundation, a charitable, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to promoting empowerment of people, protection of the environment, and respect for cultural diversity. The foundation focuses its funding on committed, grass roots organizations that rely strongly on volunteer efforts and where foundation support will make a significant difference. At least 90% of Cottonwood Foundation’s expenditures will be for grants to other organizations.”
Good Example: Pathways Church
“Helping people become passionate, devoted followers of Jesus Christ.”
The goal is to create something easily understandable, that is concise and to the point. If the dream of the organization is to see churches on every corner, say that. If it’s to transform a community into something, say what you’re going for.
By being direct, and leaving out much (if not all) of the method you allow for space for dynamic Champions to catapult your organization (more coming on this).
Reworking: Cottonwood Foundations:
“The Cottonwood Foundation is committed to funding local organizations promoting empowerment of people, environmental protection, and cross-cultural respect.”
So much easier to read and it still says the same thing. Instantly I understand their general parameters and have guidelines to innovate within. While anyone understands the excitement of having under 10% administrative costs (congratulations!), but there are other places to mention that (on contribution forms). Same goes for the 501c3 mention of theirs.
Once your statement is concise and fully applied to your organization it becomes easier to think outside the box, and for others to find new ways to reach your goal you never would think of.
Do you have any good examples to share? or stories about
Additional Resources
For Mission Statement examples pursue through www.MissionStatements.com
Image: Don’t Stop Innovation by MatthewBradley
