Michael Porter

For those wanting more info and a different more reflective take on the LEAD conference check out the link here.

Now for this mornings sessions.
Strategy and Leadership: "Doing well what is good"

Churches can be the front lines of solving problems all around the world.
Experience says that the church doesn't have the impact that it ultimately should. we don't get the bang for the buck that God deserves.

To do what we want done we need to apply some strategic thinking to the process of church.

Don't think of what you are doing as charity or philanthropy, but as providing a service. A service that is given to a customer who you want to add value to.

Many congregations community outreach is more about them than about those they are serving. A hard word here, but one that I know is true!

4 Questions we should be asking:
1. Have we really defined what our goals are?
2. What set of community services and / or needs are we going to address? More is not better!
3. What are we going to focus upon?
4. How are we going to get others to join in making a difference?

in a business the goal is always the same (to make money)
in a non-profit the goal must be clear and the strategy must follow the goals

Making choices about what to do has to focus not upon what is more "worthy" almost all unmet human needs are "worthy". But upon where you can add the most social benefit per dollar/resource expended.

Where can we do the most good with the resources that we have!

What other organizations are available doing a great job meeting the needs that you have identified? DON'T DUPLICATE/REPLICATE/REINVENT

Where can we add value beyond good intentions?
Can we avoid agenda creep?

3 common mistakes in setting strategy:
confusing strategy with goals
seeing small steps as the whole strategy
making vague statements stand alone as the strategy being pursued

Strategy always started with goal definition. Being very specific and local to the setting.
Make sure that there is a solution model that makes sense.

IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE AN IMPACT UPON OUR COMMUNITIES FOR GOOD. THE RESPONSIBILITY IS TO DO THAT GOOD WELL.

Check web site for more slides on background info on doing good well.