When I think of creating synergies, I think of the countless not for
profits in communities all over the world that work tirelessly to ensure relief
to those struggling, with health, finance, housing or any of a host of other
issues. They work, often, only focusing within their own bubble. If this
could change - what might happen then? How would creating partnerships
with other organizations allow each individually to make a greater
difference? Synergistic cooperation could multiply the reach and effect
each of the organizations already have and ensure the ongoing success of much
needed programs.
What's the problem?
There is only so much time not profits and service organizations can
devote to research on how to stretch their resources. By working synergistically,
they could create a larger vibrant interconnected system that would harness all
the best of each organization and make greater impact within respective communities.
People, by nature, are protectionists. They protect their
property, their family, their job. No one wants to be considered redundant,
and so, we create obstacles to efficiency, due to this mindset. When we
can step outside of ourselves and see the benefits to sharing, knowledge,
resources, contacts, we will start on a path towards a more fruitful, lasting
partnership.
If your organization, whatever it may be, worked in partnership with
other organizations, there wouldn't be, or needn't be duplication of services.
How to Make the Change?
Most organizations have strategic planning sessions, indeed, I have
facilitated some myself, but, they don't usually have a strategic planning
session with other organizations. This type of planning is not unheard
of, but, it is rare.
No one organization can be all things to all people and would fail
miserably if they tried, but, by creating partnerships with other like-minded
organizations, they would then have the tools developed for referral, so that
their clients don't have to try to track down every lead by themselves.
And a bonus to not trying to fill every need is the reduced amount of
space and allocation of funds you will need.
Why Can't We Do it All?
Every organization is organized around an ideal – a vision. And, each one would also have a mission. I have never heard of an organization whose
mission read that they would like to be all things to all people. That would never have entered their minds
when creating the organization. These
things grow as a result of need and also of organizations that don’t visit
their mission statement often enough.
A few years ago, I was a board member for an organization that had been
running a very successful program, however, it was outside their stated vision
and mission and it was determined that resources could no longer be allocated
for this program. Not wanting to the leave the community without the
program, it was offered to other not for profits, but, there were no takers,
leaving the program in peril. There was bad press, as there would be and
really there needn't have been as another not for profit stepped up eventually
and saved the program and it fit in better with there mission than the previous
organization.
So, what happened to create the bad press? The organizations
didn't have a joint meeting where the reason for the first organization's
decision to step back from the program could be discussed and a solution found.
The first organization may have rationalized that the other organizations
wouldn't want to see a successful program fail and would see the benefit in
knowing it had run for several years and there would not be the same resource
commitment, as if it was brand new.
