by Tom Okarma | Jan 9, 2013 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
My golfing buddy Brian tells me professional golfers have just three rules for their caddies: show up, keep up, shut up. Golf pros usually aren’t looking for advise unless they specifically ask for it. They only want their caddy to be there when required and do...
by Tom Okarma | Dec 12, 2012 | Blog, Governance, Leadership, Strategic Planning
Leaders and Board Members: Starting to feel guilty you did not prepare or update a strategic plan for your orgnanization’s next 24-36 months? Even thought it is mid-December you still have time to develop a strategy and a plan. Its not rocket science and when...
by Tom Okarma | Nov 9, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership, Strategic Planning
Board Chairs, Directors, and Executive Directors: Heads Up! I am pretty familiar with a substantial nonprofit that I think is making a big mistake. I see this happening from time to time in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. And the results of their doing...
by Tom Okarma | Oct 5, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
Paraphrasing an old joke- QUESTION: Know how to get a few good directors” ANSWER: Start with a lot of good directors. A couple of nonprofit boards I am somewhat familiar with are in the process of losing some good directors by their own personal choice, not due...
by Tom Okarma | Sep 19, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership, Strategic Planning
Successful leaders are always looking for ways to increase their effectiveness and the impact of their organizations. So whether you are running a small or start up organization or if your firm had a tough 2012, now is the time to reboot and set yourself up for...
by Tom Okarma | Aug 23, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance
Most nonprofit organizations run pretty well. I say pretty well meaning they are in the range of 5-6, with 10 being high. While they can always do some things better they are effectively serving their clients and working toward their vision. The ones I see that have...