One of the areas I advocate for the most in nonprofit management is surveying and making data driven decisions.  Often these types of activities result in the need for change.  Here are a few tips to keep at the top of your mind when you are getting ready to embark on change.

Tips for making change stick:

1.KISS- This is good advice for all things, but particularly in nonprofit management.  Start with the small things and don’t try to do everything at once.  Your success will most likely be linked to your managing the change piece by piece, not by overnight sensation.

2. KEEP IT MOVING- Constantly evaluate what is and what is not working.  Make changes if you need to make them.

3.KEEP IT TOGETHER- A united force from top to bottom is required for any successful change.  Meet with your teams regularly and see if there are obstacles that you can remove from them.  Your goal is to help your employees become more effective by sticking together.

4.KEEP IT FLOWING- Open conversation is at the heart of every successful change.  Speak to your team members about the change and make sure they know they can talk to you about how they are feeling with no ramifications.  Part if the change may be venting and/or celebrating.  Either way, be prepared to help your team with whatever may come by creating an environment of open communication.

5.KEEP EVERYONE INVOLVED- Getting everyone involved and involved early is key.  Having people at every level involved and let your team members have the freedom to make decisions on how best to implement the change.  Remember, you are all on the same team and keeping it that way will help immensely.

6.KEEP IT A SUCCESS- Remember that change takes time and may look like a failure before it looks like true success.  Celebrate the small victories early on and the big ones are sure to follow.

Take-away: Change is good!!!