Board & Administrative Advisory Services
Board Development
A non-profit organization is only as strong as the effectiveness of its board. Panorama recognizes that now, more than ever, non-profit boards are called upon to provide strategic guidance and clear institutional direction. During times of crisis or transition—this is easier said than done. Whether your board is looking to fully understand its governance role and responsibilities, improve its overall efficiency and effectiveness, develop strategy, or simply move past an operational mindset—Panorama Consulting has the expertise to assess the current state of your board and provide customized solutions to address each of these challenges.
Administrative Advisory Services
The current financial crisis is challenging non-profit organizations in unprecedented ways. Budget reductions means that more is asked of smaller administrative teams and shared decision-making governance models can result in organizational inertia. These are times when a non-profit can “feel stuck”—unable to move forward, to innovate, or to nimbly respond to present circumstances—while lacking the budget resources to add permanent administrative staff.
With decades of experience managing all areas of nonprofit administration—Panorama Consulting is a financially sensible option for providing support to your leadership team. From admissions and marketing to fundraising and alumni relations; from auxiliary programs to facilities and business affairs – the consultants at Panorama bring insight and practical guidance to address your organization’s most pressing needs.
Policy Development
Effective and well-written policies are the backbone of a strong and healthy organization—yet developing these policies is more difficult than it sounds. Each organization is unique, and written policies are one way of demonstrating an organization’s position on important issues. Policies should be a practical reflection of your organization’s mission, vision and values — while also providing employees with a valuable reference point in times of transition or doubt. The consultants at Panorama recognize the value of well-crafted institutional policies—and how easy it is to overlook this important requirement amidst the daily operations of your organization. With hands on experience in nonprofit, and particularly independent school, management, Panorama can evaluate existing policies, make recommendations for improvement, and develop new policies that are both relevant and reflect the culture and values of your organization.
Strategy Development
Non-profits increasingly need both strategic thinking and strategic planning to identify and achieve their organizational goals. Gone are the days of “long range plans” looking 10 years out into the future. Even three- to five-year planning cycles have become irrelevant in a constantly shifting landscape. Organizational leaders need to continually review and re-focus their goals on an annual basis, within the context of a 3-5 year vision, to remain nimble and responsive to changing conditions.
Panorama Consulting assists non-profit organizations through the process of understanding their opportunities and challenges, creating tactical and operational plans to address them, while also identifying key performance indicators to measure and track progress. Knowing where you are going, with a flexible roadmap that takes into account potential detours, can make all the difference in whether your organization arrives at its intended destination.
Leadership Mentoring
Today’s leaders need to be resourceful, inclusive, fearless, and flexible. While organizational culture and governance structure may be unique to each non-profit – the need for strong, collaborative leaders is common to all. Frequent turnover in leadership roles siphons institutional energy, slows momentum, and reduces the confidence of the community. While recognizing the importance of capable leadership, many non-profits nonetheless struggle with finding, and keeping, the right leaders for their organization.
The professionals at Panorama Consulting have years of leadership experience in non-profit and for profit organizations, uniquely qualifying them to serve as mentors and professional development coaches for leaders at various stages in their careers. Panorama’s collaborative approach includes: helping organizations to bring clarity to the responsibilities and expectations of leadership roles within the organization, working with emerging leaders to identify the skills and capacities requiring development, and taking an individualized approach to targeting those needs. Throughout the mentoring process, Panorama shares insights into practical management processes and protocols, while providing feedback about sensitive topics in a supportive environment.
Mentoring from Panorama Consulting allows your organization’s leaders to navigate the path of professional growth and development alongside someone who has walked that path before.