Like most nonprofits, we like to collect data to show how we’re doing. We want to show that what we do matters and makes an impact. I’ve had plenty of nonprofit staff come through our training program that are interested in this too.

“How do I use Excel to create a chart or graph? How can I use Adobe InDesign to create our annual report? Teach me how to use PowerPoint to create a smashing presentation!”

But why stop there? NTEN has an interesting post about our data and some different ways to get it out there. I mean, why go to all that effort if it’s not going to be read! And who knows, maybe you’ll think of an innovative way to get your data into your readers hands.

Google has some great services. It hit me today, as I was preparing to write this entry, how many of their services I use!

• Gmail
• Docs & Sheets
• Reader
• Maps
• Search for web, images, products
• Google Checkout

And I know that us nonprofits like and use a lot of their services too. In fact, I use several of the above strictly for my nonprofit duties as a board member. We’ve discovered some innovative ways to use these services to either show the great work we’re doing in our communities (such as tying our service data into Google Maps), online collaboration (using Docs, Sheets, and Calendars), to connecting with our constituents (Blogger anyone?).

But there is even more ways that we can take advantage of these services. Even just using Search. The folks over at GraphicMac have a nice post on other ways you can use plain old search to find information, other than just searching other web pages. Check it out and be sure to read the comments, there are several additional tips there.

By Patrick Shaw

Just a quick note - we’re offering a Salesforce training class here at NPower on January 29th. You can see all of the details over on our training calendar!

There are a few things you should know before you register:

• Salesforce is a terrific tool for getting a 360 degree view of your stakeholders!
• There are MULTIPLE ways that Salesforce can be configured
• THIS class will highlight how NPower Seattle delivers a core donor/people/contacts/accounts/volunteer management system.

If you already have Salesforce (either from NPower or from someone else) - this class is still for you. Some of the names may have been changed a bit, but all of the core features should be the same. You might think of our class like a budgeting class - you won’t be looking a YOUR budget - but you WILL be learning how to budget effectively.

In our Salesforce class - you’ll learn how to use Salesforce effectively - even if your version doesn’t look exactly the same!

I’ll see you at class!

by Patrick Shaw

It’s been a crazy time for for and nonprofit agencies. Cost cutting, budget trimming, letting people go and more.

The for profit sector is “leading” the way -with job cuts announced by almost everyone, including an announcement from Microsoft today.

I just spotted this online report, though, and it gives me pause:

Microsoft posted a profit of $4.17 billion, or 47 cents per share, in its fiscal second quarter ended December 31, versus a profit of $4.71 billion, or 50 cents per share, a year earlier. Analysts were looking for earnings of 49 cents per share, according to Reuters Estimates.

-http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090122/bs_nm/us_microsoft_16

Take a careful look. Microsoft posted a PROFIT of 4.17 billion dollars - but analysts wanted more -so - job cuts, reductions in the stock market, and so on.

While there are plenty of lessons that nonprofits can learn from the for profit community - this isn’t one of them. Imagine a headline that reads:

Local Food Bank serves 4 BILLION meals in 2008 - but analysts, expecting food service of 4.2 BILLION forces Local Food Bank to cut jobs.

Okay - this is a stretch -but you can see what I mean. Who is managing the expectations here, and what story is being told? And are they accurate?

So - what does this mean for your nonprofit?

• You need to tell your story effectively - on your website, in your email tag-line, in your e-newsletter and with your annual report. Are you telling your story or is someone else doing that for you?
• You need to make sure that your key stakeholders know what YOUR expectations are - and that you know theirs as well.

All told - that means that you should make sure that you have tools that help you with those outbound and in bound communications, so you can be proactive about your communication. A terrific website, an easy to manage e-newsletter tool, and a CRM that helps you manage your stakeholders will all help you manage expectations.

Who doesn’t have a cell phone these days? But as they get more and more sophisticated we need to take greater pains in keeping them safe. Last year I finally got, after much begging of the spouse, an iPhone. Like most smart phones it can do a lot, and I do mean a lot.

So keeping it safe is important. Not that I have personal, sensitive data in it. I keep my credit card #’s and Social Security information elsewhere. But one thing that I was reminded of today was shopping.

I mean, I have the Ebay application on my phone. I’ve seen similar ones for Amazon and my phone has a browser too. I can log into any website on my phone that I could access on my computer at home or work. But what I hadn’t thought about was

“do I take the same steps to keep myself and my personal data safe with my phone as I do on my computer?”

Duh! Why hadn’t I thought of that before? It’s so easy now-a-days to fire up the phone and get that really hot deal on a new pair of shoes. OK maybe not shoes but you know what I mean. Do I check to make sure that the site I’m using is secure?

Security is a big deal when it comes to computing today. Here at NPower we have a Security for Nonprofits training to focus on trying to keep nonprofits safe.

One of my favorite “deal” sites has a great posting about just that. What steps should you take to make sure your transaction is safe? Check it out at http://dealnews.com/features/Five-ways-to-shop-safely-on-a-smartphone/275031.html

As for me, I’m going to serious think about the security on my phone. Should I put a password lock on it? After All that nice little Ebay application automatically logs into my account. Thank goodness Ebay doesn’t allow you to access your PayPal account without putting in a password!

If it’s a work phone, you may be safer than you think. My co-worker, Patrick, pointed out that for our work phones that are using WindowsMobile operating system; we have Microsoft ActiveSync installed. This lets us synchronize our phones with Outlook and our desktop computers. Very nice. But that also includes a “kill” feature. If a phone is lost or stolen, with a flip of the “switch” we can have all of the data removed. Now that’s a great safeguard!

If you’ve ever wanted to create materials and use some of those “universal” symbols, like the ones for Rest Rooms or Telephone, AIGA has them available for downloading. And they’re free!

You can find them at http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/symbol-signs

I have to thank the folks over at The Graphic Mac for bringing it to my attention.

There was an odd point in the first US presidential debate when Senators Obama and McCain got into a semantic argument about the difference between a “strategy” and a “tactic.” Do you remember it? It stuck with me for days afterward–partly because I thought the exchange indicated something about McCain’s temperament and partly because it struck a chord with me in my thinking about technology strategy and planning for nonprofits.

McCain groused “I’m afraid Senator Obama doesn’t understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy.” And Obama later countered with “That’s not true, we had a legitimate difference, and I absolutely understand the difference between tactics and strategy.”

What struck me then, and what I’m reminded of now, is this idea that strategy and tactics and plans are somehow at odds. In reality, they should go hand in hand. At least, that’s how we think of it here at NPower. An operational plan for technology is a great thing to nail down–many organizations don’t even have that. But without connecting technology planning to technology strategy, the plan often goes unfunded and unfollowed. The environment can change quickly, making plans that aren’t tied to strategy become outdated. This is even more likely in our current days of economic uncertainty.

Plan on having a strategy in 2009.

Now in my InDesign classes I always stress how important it can be to talk to your printer when you’re working on your piece. Well over at Creative Curio, they have a great posting not only reinforcing this; but it also has some really great reasons WHY you should.

And I like the background information that Lauren includes in her post. Normally I don’t get into that detail, mostly due to time but also because it’s way more in-depth than most of us in the nonprofit field go. After all, we’re not graphic designers ourselves.

Check it out at http://creativecurio.com/2009/01/applying-special-effects-to-your-print-work/

Now I don’t know about you, but anytime I can find free images to use in my publications I’m happy. Well MacWorld had a nice article on their website recently on free images. They have some recommendation for sites but what I really liked about their article was the explanation about copyright and usage rights.

This is very important. You can’t just grab any old image and expect to be able to use it. There are plenty of companies out there that would have no qualms about nailing a nonprofit to the wall for copyright violation. That’s where the Creative Commons License comes in. More and more designers are registering their work under this. Which in turns allows you access to their photos, graphics, vector art, etc.

I recommend you check out the article, bookmark the links, and pay close attention to the different options under Creative Commons.