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No More Feasibility Studies
Vision & Entrepreneurial Strategy, Campaigns (Funding the Vision) | | Nick Fellers
This nugget is an excerpt from from Tom’s Campaign Book.
No More Feasibility Studies
Having watched hundreds (maybe even thousands) of ‘nonprofits’ do feasibility studies… I still don’t get it!
INTERNAL staff gets together. Agree they need more money. INTERNAL group decides to do a campaign to raise more money. INTERNAL leaders enlist EXTERNAL consultants to do a feasibility study… for justification, CYA and backup.
Think about this ‘feasibility’ scenario:
- No Sharing of the Vision
- No Engagement
- No Dialogue
- No Involvement
- No Presentation of an Opportunity
From the ‘consultant’ to the ‘prospect’:
One alternative to consider is true LEADERSHIP CONSENSUS BUILDING
Get your top stakeholders INVOLVED in the building of the PLAN… for both IMPACT and INCOME!!!
This OWNERSHIP will translate into a huge return on the time, energy and resources you INVEST in the process.
I’ve chosen these three words carefully, and used this process effectively for the last 25 years.
- LEADERSHIP. It is what it is. It is what is says. Engage your best LEADERS in the process of message clarification, prioritization and the funding plan.
- CONSENSUS. CONSENSUS is about the RIGHT DECISION… Not (necessarily) about ‘unanimous’ agreement on a politically correct, watered down, something-for-everyone mission statement/plan. CONSENSUS (on Vision/Priorities/Goals) creates commitment… generates momentum… and forces engagement (vs. passive participation).
Nota Bene: “PASSION IS CONTAGIOUS!” (Nick Fellers)
- BUILDING. This is the kicker. This is the ‘action word’ that makes this idea worth millions! You must provide a framework to let your stakeholders help build.
*This approach also serves as the most powerful form of PREDISPOSITION.
