Linda Widdop

1
From Techie to Leader
Strategy, Vision, Communications, Role Model and
Team Building for Non Profit IT Staff
Presented by Linda Widdop Dean Graham NPower
Pennsylvania
2
Top Three Takeaways

• IT Leadership isnt all about technology
• 5 key areas of leadership to focus on
• Tips for developing skills in each of the key
  areas

3
Session Agenda

• Introductions
• Audience What are you here to learn?
• Understanding IT Leadership
• 5 Key areas of Technology Leadership
• Open QA

4
Session Agenda

• Introductions
• Audience What are you here to learn?
• Understanding IT Leadership
• 5 Key areas of Technology Leadership
• Open QA

5
Introductions NPower

• Started in Seattle in 1999
• To give hands on technology help to nonprofits
• Software being donated but not being used
• Organizations were using a variety of unreliable
  or expensive sources for computer help
• NPower PA started in 2003
• today NPower PA has over 300 Member Non-Profits,
  representing all nonprofit sectors
• 12 Affiliate Sites

6
What is NPowers mission?
To inspire and empower nonprofits to use
technology to better serve their communities.
7
Introductions

• Linda Widdop Director of Technology Services
• 5 years with NPower managing consulting services
  for non profit organizations
• Dean Graham Manager of Application Services
• 15 years of nonprofit technology sector experience

8
Session Agenda

• Introductions
• Audience What are you here to learn?
• Understanding IT Leadership
• 5 Key areas of Technology Leadership
• Open QA

9
Audience

• Who are you?
• Accidental Techie, Technology Professional, IT
  Manager
• What are you here to learn?
• Planning, Visioning, Crafting a message to
  Administrators, Understand IT Leadership

10
Question

• Does your organization appropriately take
  technology into account when doing strategic
  planning?

Answer
Too often, the answer is NO!
11
The true measure of leadership is influence -
nothing more nothing less.
- John Maxwell
12
Session Agenda

• Introductions
• Audience What are you here to learn?
• Understanding IT Leadership
• 5 Key areas of Technology Leadership
• Open QA

13
IT Roles in Non Profits

• Large non profits have org charts that allow
  technology to be part of executive decisions -
  CIO
• Mid size non profits have org charts that allow
  someone to deal with technology IT Manager
• Small non profits dont even have an org chart! -
  Accidental Techie

14
Ineffective CIO

• E.D. has business background
• New position created CIO
• CIO attends executive meetings
• No improvements seen by management
• Staff frustrated by technology

15
Ineffective IT Manager

• Top management comprised of promoted social
  workers, advocates
• IT Manager not invited/included in executive
  meetings
• Budget developed and managed by CFO

16
Ineffective Accidental Techie

• Volunteer or overworked case worker who knows how
  to use a computer
• Few or minimal resources
• React to crisis or programmatic changes

17
Understanding IT Leadership

• What was missing in our 3 examples?
• Leadership
• To be effective, you need to understand how to be
  a leader no matter what role

18
(No Transcript)
19
Session Agenda

• Introductions
• Audience What are you here to learn?
• Understanding IT Leadership
• 5 Key areas of Technology Leadership
• Open QA

20
5 Key Areas of Technology Leadership

• Understand Strategic Technology Planning
• Developing a Vision for the organization
• Building the Team
• Communication
• Role Models

21
Planning
Communication
Develop Vision
Build the Team
Role Model
22
Understanding Strategic Technology Planning

• Roadmap that aligns technology with mission and
  business goals
• Process to build buy-in from stakeholders
• A framework for decision-making
• Tool for budgeting and fundraising
• Living evolving document

23
Where does IT Leadership fit in?

• Broach the subject with management
• Understand and communicate the benefits
• Lead the effort
• Look to the future

24
Develop a Vision Align Technology with Mission
Business Goals
Think about it What are your organizations
key, strategic business goals over the next 3-5
years?
25
THEN, Add Technology
Use client database to reduce time spent on
manual processes, send e-newsletter to increase
membership, use website to sell/promote services
Think about it How can technology support or
help you reach your business goals? Where does
technology intersect with your goals?
26
Where does IT Leadership fit in?

• Get involved in developing your orgs business
  goals
• Fully understand all programs
• Ask about the big picture
• Share your ideas with others

27
Build the Team - Benefits of Buy-In from All
Levels

• Gain support and user adoption
• Budgets make more sense
• Input from all angles
• Smarter solutions
• Holistic approach

28
Where does IT Leadership fit in?

• Ask for volunteers to join the effort
• Elicit input from all members
• Include other leaders
• Be open to many ideas
• Foster team communication
• Dont let your expertise drivethe process

29
Relationships are the fertile soil from which all
advancement, all success, all achievement in real
life grows.
- Ben Stein
30
Communication Build Internal Enthusiasm

• All meetings must be attended by the team
• Share the teams deliverables with other staff
  executives or full staff
• Develop solid documentation
• Share your enthusiasm for the project with
  everyone

31
Role Model Reach out to Like Minded
Organizations

• Use your Headquarters
• Investigate other organizations that provide the
  same services
• Investigate other organizations that communicate
  in the same way
• Research and adopt technology best practices

32
Role Model Be One

• Continue to provide thought leadership within the
  organization
• Keep up the communications
• Join and attend non profit technology groups
  like NTEN!
• Provide information to other organizations
• Collaborate when possible

33
Session Agenda

• Introductions
• Audience What are you here to learn?
• Understanding IT Leadership
• 5 Key areas of Technology Leadership
• Open QA

34
??? - Questions - ???
Comments
35
A leader is the one who climbs the tallest tree,
surveys the entire situation, and yells, Wrong
jungle!
Stephen Covey
36
Thank You!

• Contact Information
• Linda_at_npowerpa.org
• Dean_at_npowerpa.org