7 Ways to Foster Team Growth That Will Make Your Organization Thrive

People are the biggest asset to your nonprofit or social enterprise. Volunteers, employees, partners, customers, and donors all help build your organization, and supporting those people in growing personally and professionally will further extend your mission into your community. When you allow talent to prosper, it benefits you, them, and the world at large.

And because our world is undergoing rapid change, the workforce has become highly competitive, multi-generational, and international. Retaining a positive, well-rounded team is vital for your organization's success. Investing in your people and letting them know they are valuable team members is crucial for your longevity, even if they are dedicated yet unpaid volunteers.

But how do you do this? Keep reading for seven ways to foster team growth that will make your organization thrive.

What Does It Mean to Grow People?

When you plant something, it must be nurtured, watered, and pruned. People respond well to similar methods. You’re bringing people into your organization to teach them about your mission so they can become the best advocates they can be. But no plant can grow without a little help! 

And since good people are in short supply, one of the best ways to keep them motivated is by creating a happy work environment. Nonprofit and social enterprise leaders must keep their fingers on the pulse of their people. Hiring new staff is an investment of time, stress, and money, so it’s better to ensure your team is well taken care of and foster an environment of growth and contentment. 

Give your team a sense of belonging in your organization. Water them by providing encouragement and fostering healthy workplace boundaries. Prune them by sharing lessons and educating them on your goals, expectations, and methods. Then watch them grow! 

Happy team members will want to stay. Pew Research alludes to the great resignation of 2022 and explains why people are leaving their jobs. Since the impact of the pandemic, more and more people have realized they weren’t fulfilled and that life is too short to work in an unhappy environment. 

To be clear, a less than desirable workplace often looks like little to no advancement opportunities, working long hours, and low pay, so take stock of what you offer from both your perspective and your team’s perspective.

People spend over 50% of their lives working—especially when the work is mission based. It can be extremely gratifying but also very exhausting at times. Why not make the workplace a happy, growing, advancing environment? When employees and volunteers know leaders are “for” them and want the best for them, it breeds loyalty to the leadership, the workplace, and the cause.

Make Your People Feel Important

People are multi-gifted, and sometimes it takes giving someone a new task to reveal a new talent. Leaders make a huge mistake by trying to do everything themselves and only delegating small tasks to other team members. 

You don’t have to do it all! Trust people by delegating the best tasks and not micro-managing. Allow your volunteers and employees to learn new things. Giving people important tasks makes them feel valued, trusted, and gives them autonomy. And it helps alleviate your workload, too. You no doubt want to grow your nonprofit or social enterprise, and it will take a diligent team to do so.

Also, take a look at your turnover rate. A high turnover rate is a sure indication that people are not happy. And those that stay will then find it difficult to establish connections and see their role as more than a job. 

When a social impact organization is able to keep the right people, it enhances the culture, the brand, and therefore, the mission. A happy staff creates a happy organization which gives the organization a quality reputation and allows you to reach even more people.

How To Retain High-Quality Talent for Your Nonprofit or Social Enterprise

1. Value People

   The whole organization must be involved in the process of valuing each other. Reward service by telling stories of the amazing work people have done. If encouragement isn’t your first instinct, work at it. Leave post-it notes on computers with nice messages, or put a small gift of snacks in a communal area at the beginning of a long day. 

   This can be done virtually, too! Send quick messages or emails of gratitude every now and then, encourage team members to share something fun about their evening/weekend at the beginning of meetings, or send e-gift cards to show appreciation.

   Inspire your team with a story of accomplishment from a volunteer or staff member, and remember to give everyone a turn. Allow your leadership tone to highlight each person’s worth.

2. Understand Your People

   Every person has unique motivations. Some are motivated by affirmation, others are inspired by feeling needed or providing for their family. As leaders, understanding each person's objectives, driving forces, anxieties, and potential roadblocks will earn a deep and mutual appreciation. When people feel understood, they are far more inclined to share their struggles.

   Understand that everyone you work with has a life outside of work. Their job may be their calling, but it is also a means to be paid to support themselves or their family. Volunteer work may be something they’re passionate about, but they’re also taking time out of their likely busy schedule to do so.

   Providing a balanced work-life environment in your organization is paramount. When people work for a calling, they become more driven, which can also wear them out. Mental health days are now a significant part of life and work, so take a look to see if this is something you can provide..

3. Cultivate Managers Who Understand People

   People grow when you invest in them by cultivating strong leadership qualities. The development of everyone inside the organization should be a priority. Offer leadership programs and mentorship opportunities. These foster a culture of openness and transparency and enable your people to succeed. 

   Talking openly and regularly is a great first line of defense if you’re feeling an undercurrent of dissatisfaction.

4. Offer Enough Opportunities for Growth

   At some point, people will have to retire. Invest in the younger people in your company to be competent fundraisers, salespeople, administrators, marketers, and talented people growers no matter their role. By the time the older staff are ready to pass on the baton, the younger generation will be prepared to take it. 

   Look out for people who make the best leaders early on. Teach them all they need to know to run the organization and trust them with challenging tasks that promote personal growth. Remember: Leaders also need a vacation!

   There are plenty of resources you can offer your team members (and take advantage of yourself) that can help foster growth. Check out courses on LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, or Coursera to start. You can search through hundreds of different courses and filter by subject, such as nonprofit management, social enterprise success tips, and leadership skills. Skye Learning also specializes in online courses and credentialing catered towards nonprofits, and nonprofitready.org offers more, too—and for free!

   You may also want to consider developing a mentor program within your social impact organization. This can be a great way to connect C-suite leaders with junior staff so they can learn more from someone who has worked in your organization longer, is more familiar with your mission, and has a wealth of career experience to share.

   Offering a continuing education program to your team is a great idea as well. Even if you don’t have much room in your budget, baking in a small amount for continued education can really motivate your team to continue developing their skills. This allows them to become more proficient in their role and more valuable to you!

5. Recognize Outstanding Work

   People feel appreciated when their efforts are valued and recognized. Acknowledgment of employee or volunteer effort sparks discussions about building on their achievements and using their abilities for future tasks.

   According to statistics by Deloitte, companies with very effective recognition programs experience just over a 30% decrease in voluntary turnover. Meaningful work maintains a high level of staff engagement.

   Recognition is part of valuing your team members, but creating and implementing an official, formal recognition program takes it a step beyond just a note on a desk or an extra snack in the break room. You can outsource to a company like Motivosity or Rewardian to help you create a network for your team to recognize each other, and allow you to send cash rewards, spot bonuses, and personalized notes to individuals. 

   Your recognition program can also simply be what you make it. Providing raises and promotions where due, offering semi-regular perks such as free lunches, product discounts, or reimbursements, and hosting team building trips, conferences, and outings can all fall into this category.

   Recognition is important for morale. It leads to more engaged teams, happier workplaces, and higher productivity. So make sure your employees, volunteers, donors, and partners know you recognize their hard work! 

6. Encourage Teamwork and Connection

   Outstanding managers create collaborative teams. People who experience working in a connected team environment are less inclined to explore other job possibilities. Volunteers who connect with other volunteers and feel appreciated are more likely to continue advocating for your organization and attract others.

   A happy work environment is also creative, where people are not afraid to put forward ideas. And an atmosphere that encourages critical thinking will add to an organization's problem-solving identity.

   Encourage teamwork, cooperation, and decision-making. Develop a reputation for dealing with problems swiftly and effectively without judgment. Create a light environment where people are playful and laugh often, even when you are advocating for a serious cause. Not only does it decrease stress, but it fosters connection with each other. 

7. Build Organization Resilience

   In an ever-changing world, change is here to stay, and the only way to succeed is to accept it. According to the World Economic Forum, organizations that build resilience in the face of change are the most successful. A change management plan can guide and support your team through any rough waters and ensure a smooth transition.

   Leaders must build resilience within their teams by making the purpose of what they do clear and keeping open communication. When something happens, clearly define and explain it to your people. Determine what the effects are and communicate them, and then provide training and support to help your team adjust and adapt.

   Leaders must have the ability to move quickly and easily in the face of change. Encourage your teams to take ownership and create an environment of open communication and you’re well on your way to honing that ability.

You work hard to spread your mission, and part of that work is creating a team of people to help you do it. Fostering a healthy environment that encourages growth allows your volunteers and employees to thrive and motivates them to keep your social impact organization moving forward. 
When it comes down to it: The best way to keep great people is to want the best for them. Retaining people who believe in what you do and what they do creates longevity for your nonprofit or social enterprise. Purpose keeps the vision alive, so make sure your team knows that purpose and feels appreciated and empowered to let it shine.

---

Segba Eseoghene Keva Laya is a content writer with extensive experience in the field and with her own blog. In the future, she hopes to become a life coach and continue sharing ideas on her own website. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and International Studies from the University of Uyo.

---

---

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

---

I’m Kristi Porter, and I help cause-focused organizations understand and execute effective marketing campaigns so they can move from stressed to strategic. Your resources may be limited, but your potential isn’t. Whether you’re a nonprofit, social enterprise, or small business who wants to give back, I’ll show you how to have a bigger impact.

How to Build a More Environmentally Friendly Business in 2022

As we head into a new year, one (quite important) thing seems to be at the forefront of all our minds: the environment. Every day we are inundated with more news about climate change, and it just seems to be getting worse.

Instead of becoming overwhelmed or losing hope, though, we should be taking a harder look at our own habits, both personally and professionally. Reducing, reusing, and recycling can make a difference—and so can our business practices. 

I attended my first Sustainable Brands Conference in October 2021 and was inspired by the examples of many companies that are already making big strides . . . and paving the way for others to do the same. 

And it’s clear that this isn’t a trend; it’s a movement. In fact, according to Andrew Winston, author of The Big Pivot and one of the conference speakers, the search term “sustainability” has grown 10 times since 2015, with more and more people wanting to empower themselves to become more eco-conscious. Like the proactive and caring people in the Signify community, these people want their purchases and their support for organizations to reflect that value, too. 

Companies and nonprofit organizations must take the lead and make an effort to build more sustainable models for our collective future. The demand for transparency and environmental efforts from all stakeholders is growing, and regardless of the pressure, we should all want to help keep this planet we call home safe, clean, and in good shape for future generations. 

Here are some key takeaways that I learned from the Sustainable Brands conference that can help your organization become more eco-aware and eco-friendly. 

What to Remember When Starting Your Environmental Journey

There were several overarching themes from the conference that I found particularly helpful when thinking about how to take action. Here are four things to keep in mind as you begin the journey towards a more sustainable business. 

1. Be transparent 

   As briefly mentioned above, transparency is a big one to keep top of mind. It seemed to be on every speaker’s mind and was reiterated over and over again. Virginie Helias and Victor Aguilar of Procter & Gamble advised being upfront and honest about your successes and your failures. We can’t be perfect, but your audience values your effort towards creating a greener business, and they want to see it. 

2. Go carbon positive

   We’ve all heard the common environmental buzzwords like “carbon emissions” and “greenhouse gases,” and we now know how harmful they are and how they contribute to climate change. Going carbon positive means taking more carbon and greenhouse gases out of the environment than you put in. It’s a step beyond carbon neutral. We need to do more than the bare minimum now (“carbon neutral”) and incorporate practices that help us stay carbon positive.

3. Treat your employees well 

   Ethical business practices go hand-in-hand with creating a more sustainable organization, too. People want to support organizations that pay livable wages and treat their employees well. And when you follow this, you’re attracting the right people to your business who are aligned with your purpose. Treating your team well means building a strong foundation full of people who truly care about your organization and cause, and giving them the energy and motivation to keep your mission moving forward.

4. Educate your audience

   Not only can you take action within your organization, but it’s also important to consider how you can help educate the masses. Your efforts can inspire people to make simple, day-to-day changes on an individual level as well. Eco-friendly brand messaging can serve as a resource for your audience and teach them how to change their behaviors. Collaboration internally and externally is vital in getting everyone on board—and we need everyone! 

   An example of this that was given is Tide and how they began educating people on the benefits of washing in cold water. It was an idea that everyone could understand in a 30-second commercial, but it was also a step people could easily take to make a difference and feel good about their choices. How can you do the same?

Eco-Friendly Practices for Product Creators and Sellers

One of the hardest parts of building a sustainable organization is knowing where to start. If this is your struggle, you are not alone.

The best place to start is to simply take a look at where you are currently and perform a bit of an eco-friendly audit. From there, you can begin to set some goals for yourself and your organization. 

A participant from a study conducted by one of the presenting companies summed up what most people want very nicely: "A good product at a fair price from a company that treats its employees well, has a clean supply chain, and cares about the planet." If you’re a product seller, here are three places you can start to make that happen:

1. Evaluate your source materials

   Packaging is one of the most effective marketing channels, but is it also effective for your sustainability goals? If you sell products, consider switching to more compostable or recyclable materials such as cardboard and paper, or more recently developed materials like bagasse paper and mycelium (made of sugarcane fiber pulp and mushrooms, respectively). If you have to use plastic, try to stick to one type so customers can more easily recycle it. 

   This can apply to more than just sold products, too. Whatever materials you use for your organization, see if you can make some more eco-friendly swaps.

   You’re already invested in doing good and making an impact, so evaluating where your products come from is just another step you can take for that mission. Are they fair trade? Can you source locally to support the local economy and cut down on transportation? How are your suppliers committed to sustainability? 

2. Reduce your waste

   The pandemic has changed how most of us work, with many office spaces becoming smaller or getting cut altogether. If you do still have an office space, reducing your waste can be as simple as eliminating single-use items like coffee cups, or donating items that are no longer needed so they don’t end up in the trash (and can potentially go to someone who really needs them!). 

   In the early days of the pandemic, I saw an office donate their toilet paper to anyone who needed it since all employees had moved to work from home and supplies were just sitting in an empty space. This was a great way to ensure nothing was wasted, and it even made the local news!

   If you work from home full time, you can take this a step further by looking at how you can reduce your energy usage. This is a double benefit because it can also help you cut costs! Invest in energy-efficient appliances if you can (it’ll actually save you money in the long run), unplug unused appliances, switch to LED bulbs, regularly clean and replace air filters, and turn off lights when no one is in the room. 

   Align your marketing materials with your sustainable practices, too. Send more digital communications and source sustainable swag items like reusable water bottles, organic cotton T-shirts, or canvas tote bags. Your audience will love seeing you make an effort to be more green.

3. Contribute to, or collaborate with, environmental groups 

   Can you donate regularly to environmental programs? For example, you could donate a portion of your proceeds to an environmental impact program during a period of time, or offer to plant five trees for every 10 products sold. 

   Or, can you partner with another environmentally focused organization for a joint fundraiser or campaign? Maybe you can donate supplies or provide goods or services to one! Maybe you can create co-branded content to support each other. These efforts can be incredibly impactful.

   Two organizations to consider supporting are Carbonfund.org and 1% for the Planet. Carbonfund.org makes it easy and affordable for anyone to “reduce and offset their climate impact and hasten the transition to a clean energy future.” 1% for the Planet inspires businesses to “support environmental solutions through annual memberships and everyday actions.” Both of these organizations make amazing contributions and are great resources! 

A good example of these principles is Chipotle, who buys more local ingredients than any other restaurant and who has some of the highest animal welfare standards. They also have a roundup feature in their app to support farmers and causes they care about, and they donate about 33% of their sales, as Brand Marketing Vice President Stephanie Perdue mentioned in her presentation. Take a look at their values page to get some inspiration. 

Making some of these adjustments, big or small, is a great way to align your organization or business with more sustainable practices. Not only is this great for the planet, but it’s also great for your business! 

Communicate Your Sustainability Mission  

One of the presentations at the Sustainable Brands conference was led by Etienne White, Vice President of Brands for Good, and focused on “giving sustainability the storytelling it deserves.” One of his points that really stuck out to me was to beware of the “green hush.” This is essentially when you’re doing important work but not talking about it.

It’s clear that people want to support businesses with ethical and environmental practices. In a presentation from Amazon, it was revealed that Climate Pledge Friendly products have 60% higher click-through rates - that’s incredible and noteworthy! 

People value progress over perfection. It’s easy to get wrapped up in what you’re not doing, but if you’re taking steps to be better that’s still huge! So show it off. Talk about what you’re doing in order to attract a value-aligned audience who wants to not just be a customer but a stakeholder. In doing so, you’re also spreading valuable knowledge so others can make improvements, too.

Craft a mission statement that reflects your values and commitment to sustainability. Etienne advises to try and find the sweet spot between what the world needs, what people want, and your unique offer. Think about who your audience is, figure out what outcome you want, and remember to communicate your mission clearly. Be careful about the claims you make and ensure you understand them before you try to convey them. 

You can also choose one specific goal and communicate that to your audience. For example, Petco has committed to having 50% sustainable products by 2025, according to their Customer & Market Insights Manager, Eleni Kardaras. Nestle has also promised to advance regenerative food systems at scale and hopes to be net-zero by 2050, said Aude Gandon, Global Chief Marketing Officer. 

These are huge goals. If you can make that kind of commitment, do it and tell your stakeholders! It is terrific for your audience to know and invites their accountability. Try adding a mission statement to your website, include it in your code of ethics, highlight it in your marketing, or post about it on your social channels.

Here’s a great mission statement from the nonprofit Fashion Revolution to get your gears turning: “We campaign for a clean, safe, fair, transparent and accountable fashion industry. We do this through research, education, collaboration, mobilization and advocacy.” It doesn’t have a specific number, but it absolutely communicates intentionality.

Focus on advocating for sustainability and educating others instead of getting bogged down in the doom and gloom. The goal is to change behaviors, not just change minds, as Etienne notes. People want to be empowered and inspired, so talk about your progress and encourage public action. 

Use Storytelling That Empowers

As we know, storytelling is powerful. We use it to appeal to our audience’s emotions and to share the importance of our mission. It’s not only how you gain support, loyalty, and trust, but also how you gain integral donations and/or sales. It’s time to craft a new story in business now, and that’s one of sustainability.

Bruce Reynolds, Social Impact and Brand Marketing Specialist for Be the Change Associates, encourages organizations to look at sustainability through social, economic, and environmental lenses. What is the story your organization is telling when you think about these three areas? Are you happy with it?

If not, it’s time to create a new one! In the Storytelling that Empowers workshop of the conference, the speakers reiterated that your story should be simple, consistent, and scalable. Emotion drives action, so get clear on your why. What’s your call to action? 

Yes, this can be a serious topic, but your story doesn’t have to be boring or depressing! Provide hope and inspiration for your audience. Make it personal. Give actionable, scalable solutions or advice. Focus on educating others. 

You will also see more companies and nonprofits begin to address how their mission aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). As a cause-focused organization, elements like these should already be pretty clear to you, but now it may be time to address your environmental impact as well.

Invest time into creating solid messaging and then get it out there! Make sure to run it by key stakeholders first, though, just to ensure it’s clear, correct, and effective. From there you can put it on your website, print it on your packaging, and include it in some of your communications. 

Build From the Inside Out 

The first place your story should live is inside your organization. According to one of the speakers (sorry I’m forgetting who to credit!),  93% of upper-level executives feel like their companies need to take a social and environmental stance, and 61% of customers find it hard to understand where a company stands or what their environmental efforts are. 

You have to start building sustainability and telling your story internally first. Everyone in your organization should have a hand in impact and be well informed about your goals. Amanda Nusz, Senior Vice President of The Target Foundation, advises defining the words that matter to your organization. Make sure everyone has the same definitions and truly understands them. You and your team have to believe in your goals and model them for your commitment to really shine through. 

In a 2021 Mastercard survey, 85% of adults said they are willing to take action on climate change. Statistics from NextGen also revealed that 72% of Gen Z say they have been greatly affected by climate change, and 60% are also in favor of restructuring the economy for equality and the environment. 

Despite all this support, there is a lot of skepticism, particularly among younger generations, for what companies and organizations are doing to help these issues. Organizations like yours have to take the lead on sustainability improvements and empower and influence the public to become activists, too. At a minimum, you can provide some of the tools—information, data, resources—to help raise awareness and make a change. 

In Heidi Hackemer’s (Executive Creative Director of Oatly North America) keynote, she talked about creating an emotional door, or a gateway that gets regular people intrigued. Incorporate strong messaging and a clear mission with tangible, scalable action from the inside out and you’ll draw more people—and more support—to your organization. 

One example is ECOfashion Corp, who announced they will be putting QR codes into their clothing tags for people to track the supply chain of their product, said Founder and CEO Marci Zaroff. This is a great way to get your audience involved, stay accountable, build credibility, share your values, and be transparent in your efforts.

One thing the pandemic really seemed to solidify is a great need for immediate change. We cannot return back to normal. We must keep improving and building better, more sustainable systems. This planet is the only one we have, so we need to take better care of it and each other. 

Though it may seem daunting or intimidating at times, we all truly do have the power to enact change. The Sustainable Brands Conference filled me with hope and assurance of just that. 

And if you’re ready to get started or solidify your own next steps, Sustainable Brands has even created a Brand Transformation Roadmap to help you navigate this challenge. Start small and slowly build-up to the bigger, more intensive actions. The planet, your audience, and your future supporters will thank you. You got this!

---

---

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

---

I’m Kristi Porter, and I help cause-focused organizations understand and execute effective marketing campaigns so they can move from stressed to strategic. Your resources may be limited, but your potential isn’t. Whether you’re a nonprofit, social enterprise, or small business who wants to give back, I’ll show you how to have a bigger impact.

The Networking Matrix: How to Find People and Build Connections

Networking: No matter your organization or expertise, it’s one of the skills that everyone needs to grow their nonprofit or social enterprise. But, depending on your personality or interpretation of the word, you may be reluctant to pursue it.

Today’s post may change that, though. Using her proven “networking matrix,” my friend Sarah Voltmann Costello will demonstrate how to make your networking not only more effective, but remove any stigma you have about it being sleazy.

Authentic networking is simply relationship-building, and I know you’re already good at that. So, let’s just put a little intentionality behind it. Once you learn how to find the right people and build valuable connections, you’ll be able to increase your impact through new donors, customers, partners, and sponsors.

No one builds a successful organization in a silo, and this post will show you how to rally a community for your cause.

Networking can be an intimidating thing to do. Awkwardness and fear of putting yourself out there as a professional is completely normal. You are in a different frame of communication than you’re used to.

You aren’t talking about things you saw on social media, music, or what you did this weekend. This is, in fact, an entirely different language from how you talk about your personal life. Knowing who you want to talk to, how to make an ask, and how to tell your “why” is an art.

The good news is, you’re not alone! And there are ways to create an action plan that takes the guesswork out of it.

As a military spouse, nonprofit professional, and social entrepreneur, this method of networking has become my lifeline for moving into new spaces (figuratively and literally). Perhaps you have experienced a career change, a sudden move, or you’re trying to establish a better network to leverage a better job. Whatever your reason for wanting to network, it can seem an impossible task until you break it down into steps. 

I had to learn this method the hard way, by starting over three separate times in three completely different regions of the U.S. I moved to Seattle in 2019 knowing only my realtor, but I now have a strategic network of over 250 individuals related to or able to empower my work here. And it took me less than a year to do most of that—you can do this, too!

So here we go! I’m going to share with you my method for adjusting quickly to a new scenario, how to connect with the people in your sector, how to make a plan for connection, and how to execute that action plan.

Let’s build your network matrix.

Six Degrees of Separation 

You have probably heard of the song, the film, and maybe even the Kevin Bacon game. “Six Degrees of Separation” is not a new concept; in fact, it dates back to 1929. That’s right, prior to computers, the internet, social media, and smartphones, experts claimed we were within six degrees of anyone we would want to meet. Nowadays, that number is even smaller!

Here’s how it works: Our network exponentially grows as we leverage the network of others. When we invite people into our network, we have the opportunity to leverage theirs. And even though we may not realize it, we are even within six degrees of someone like Richard Branson. All that’s required is some intentionality. 

How are you supposed to utilize this awesome web of connections if you don’t even know it exists? You need to create an action plan of who you’re trying to meet and how you plan to do it.

Without a plan, there might as well be 1,000 degrees between you and a “Richard Branson” figure. Going to a Rotary Club meeting, attending chamber of commerce meetings, or participating in any other networking group is great! However, allowing people into your network “as they come'' will not get you where you want to go quickly. It may happen eventually, but we have the opportunity to be more strategic.

The Six Basics of Networking

Start with the six basics: who, what, where, when, why, and how. 

WHO are you trying to connect with? Is it executives with decision-making power, HR representatives to get an interview, donors for your fundraising, investors for your product or service, or case workers in the field? Who are they and what role do they play? 

The next question to answer is, WHAT industries or type of work are you trying to connect with? For instance, nonprofits, government, public, or private are all areas to consider. Can you go further and break them down by industry codes or cause areas? The more specific you can get, the better you’ll be able to communicate your needs to others in your network.

These first two are key. 

WHEN and WHERE are very simple. You’ll need to answer for yourself, “What’s my time frame? WHEN am I trying to accomplish this?”

This long-term or short-term goal will dictate how many meetings you need to take per week. For instance, if you are moving to a new city and need to apply for jobs, you might schedule anywhere from three to seven networking meetings per week to get started.

Keep your WHERE simple. It’s the radius of where you need to network: city, state, or region. The tighter you can keep this radius, the more connections you will find immediately. 

Now, plan HOW you will connect with these individuals. Will you attend networking meetings, reach out to your existing connections, or rely on warm leads or introductions to meet new people? What groups are they associated with? What events are they speaking at? 

And finally, know your WHY—the story you tell or your elevator pitch—along with your “ask” as you start connecting with these individuals you’ve worked so hard to find. 

Let’s dig into each of these steps a little deeper.

WHO AND WHAT

Let’s pause for a moment and discuss tools you already have at your disposal to define your WHO and your WHAT.

With the internet we are more connected than ever to all of mankind’s knowledge. Social media, government websites, Forbes, LinkedIn, GuideStar, and Google are powerful tools for helping you identify the organizations and individuals in the fields you need to connect with. And there’s no need to pay for expensive PROSPECT LISTS!

For instance, you might search for social enterprises in your area, or perhaps you’re looking for case management organizations. Maybe you need a list of millionaire CEOs who support equal hiring. Don’t reinvent the wheel: Check to see if someone has done this work for you already. And if you are struggling to find results, break your target audience into more manageable bites.

WHEN AND WHERE

Your strategy should be S.M.A.R.T: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. When answering these questions, you should set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for yourself that let you know when you’ve achieved your goal.

Focus on what you’re trying to achieve. Is it quick employment, integration into a sector, or credibility in your line of work? Where are you trying to meet your goals? Which states or regions will you focus in? Can you narrow it down to specific counties in order to become well-known among common professional circles? When are you trying to achieve this? Is it in one year or immediately?

Set realistic goals for yourself such as:

1. Attending one networking event per month

2. Scheduling one to two networking meetings per week

3. Focusing on one area where you will do the majority of your work to start (i.e. Seattle)

HOW

How will you connect? Are you starting from a foundation or are you starting from scratch? This is often the part that trips people up the most.

Start by building a spreadsheet of all the organizations you want to connect with, their employees, and the existing connections you have. 

On LinkedIn you have the ability to search any company, click on their employees list, and filter it based on 1st or 2nd degree connections. These are individuals in your network who are already connected to the people that you are searching for. You may be surprised by who pops up. Often it’s individuals that you may have spoken to before about introducing you to others, but without a targeted WHO and WHAT they didn’t know HOW to do that for you. Now you have the ability to give them a list of names and ask for targeted introductions. 

This changes the conversation entirely with the individuals you are trying to meet. Remember, when reviewing applicants, the recruiter’s job is to say “no” and narrow down the list. When networking, however, their job is to be social and “connect.” Build out your spreadsheet of existing connections and potential warm introductions and you will get to a “yes” quicker!

If you are starting from scratch, here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Join groups on LinkedIn or social media that are relevant to your WHO/WHAT/WHY or background.

2. Find in-person groups and networking events to attend regularly such as Rotary Club, BNI, Chamber of Commerce, etc.

3. Collect business cards from everyone you talk to because you need a foundation to start with. DO NOT give them yours and expect them to email or call. You need to take the initiative.

4. Send follow-up emails within 48 hours and ask for a quick phone call or one-on-one.

5. Send thank you emails and LinkedIn connection requests within 24 hours of one-on-ones.

6. Have a specific “ask” (or request) that includes referrals to their contacts.

7. Update your networking matrix with your new contacts regularly.

WHY

When you finally reach the point of receiving warm introductions to the individuals you’ve looked for and researched, they’ll want to know WHY you want to connect. What will that story be?

Focus on being concise, telling a little bit about yourself, and detailing who you are trying to connect with.

For example, you can write emails like this one to your connections so they can forward it to the contacts you’ve asked to meet as an introduction:

Mr. Smith,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me this week. I wanted to send a quick follow up with you about our conversation.

I mentioned that I was new to (city) and am building my network alongside my job search. I’m a X professional, with X years of experience in X and X. I’m passionate about X and want to meet other individuals who share that mentality. I’ve attached my CV for a bit more context on my background.

Can you introduce me to some professionals I should know who are involved in X industry/work? Thank you for your time!

Warm regards,

Your name

Your Network is Only as Good as Your Follow Up!

One final point: Networking works best when you focus on being of “service” to those you want to do business with. It’s not all about you.

What are they looking for?
What do they need?
Can you provide it or something similar?
Look for opportunities to be useful to them. 

This concept is called “servant leadership” and if you are looking to attract people to you and your cause, this is your strongest tool! When you put yourself out there to serve others, they will in turn look for ways to serve you, because they are grateful for you.

Build the mentality that you are searching for professional “relationships” not gum ball machines. Here are some tips:

1. Take notes while you’re meeting.

2. Follow up on something specific they said.

3. If they helped you achieve something, thank them and return the favor.

4. Respond within 24 hours.

5. Ask for follow-up meetings and schedule immediately when you can.

6. Find places to “bump” into them again.

Still Having Some Anxiety?

If you still feel like this process might not be for you, let me share some examples of success that I’ve had over the years using this approach:

• Working for an international organization, my team leveraged this method to find STEM and business internships for students abroad to work in the U.S.

• Moving from Indiana to Florida, I had to start over in a new line of work. I used this method to become a program director in the nonprofit sector.

• The Air Force moved us from Florida to New Mexico, and I started a real estate social enterprise to employ myself. In six months, I had a team of 10 partners (real estate agents, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs) in three states to help me make offers on homes.

• When we moved from New Mexico to Washington, we only knew our realtor. I used this method to meet nonprofit professionals with hiring power and gained a meeting with the CEO of a $140 million organization.

• Through my networking matrix, I was referred and asked to serve as a volunteer consultant for immigrant/refugee serving organizations. I gained employment with one of the nonprofits shortly after.

• Now I use this method to meet major donors and to establish a social enterprise for a nonprofit in the Southeast.

The most important theme in all these successes is not determination or ingenuity, but service to others. Keep that mentality as you’re networking and you will find doors opening for you.

GOOD LUCK OUT THERE!

---

A nonprofit professional, Air Force wife, and social entrepreneur, Sarah Voltmann Costello has spent the last 11 years building a career centered on the ideals of a global mindset and nonprofit efficiency practices while being a trailing spouse.

Leveraging her Network Matrix strategy, she has learned to be a highly adaptive and tenacious “servant leader,” focused on driving greater impact in our global community by supporting nonprofit leaders in their missions wherever she is placed. Over the years of working with more than 60 nonprofits across multiple impact areas, she has learned to leverage the existing assets of an organization to build strategies for real growth that can be multiplied toward large-scale community development.

Today, Sarah lives in the beautiful PNW in Seattle, WA, with her husband, and leverages these strategies to break down barriers for nonprofit leaders around the U.S. by building sustainable fundraising or social enterprise ventures.

LinkedIn

---

---

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

---

I’m Kristi Porter, and I help cause-focused organizations understand and execute effective marketing campaigns so they can move from stressed to strategic. Your resources may be limited, but your potential isn’t. Whether you’re a nonprofit, social enterprise, or small business who wants to give back, I’ll show you how to have a bigger impact.

4 Insider Reasons Interns are Motivated to Help You

I've already made a couple of big, business decisions in 2018, and one of those was to hire interns. I'd know for a long time that I eventually wanted to bring in some spry, young talent, but a couple of things were holding me back.

First, I didn't feel "successful" enough to bring anyone else into the mix. I still don't know what "successful" enough meant/means to me, but I finally decided it was time to put that thought to bed. I had valuable lessons to teach someone, and it was time to start imparting.

Second, I knew it would take some legitimate time and effort to get things in place and delegate. Most of us feel like we move at the speed of light, and slowing down isn't an option. But, again, I needed to take a step back. The reality is that I needed extra help, and there were people available to assist. And once I got things up and running, the hard part was over. So, in the end, I got over myself and found two, fantastic interns. 

So, here's the first of what I hope will be many blog posts from Megan Westbrook:

February is rapidly coming to a close (I know, I can’t believe it either) and amidst all of your New Year’s resolutions and scrambling during the busy, first few months of the year, you may have started feeling a bit overwhelmed and stressed. You know what might help you? Interns. And who better to talk about interns than an intern?

Internships not only benefit interns but also benefit you, a business owner or employee.

I know it may seem daunting at first, and you might feel like you’re only adding more to your plate by having to create an internship program. Yes, it does require some extra work to get a program up and running, find interns, and then get them acclimated. However, once it’s in place, you’re set, and you will continue to reap the benefits of having one or two extra sets of hands.

Interns take some of the weight off of you by helping to alleviate the day-to-day, back-end, or miscellaneous tasks that can take up too much of your time. Interns allow you to focus on the bigger picture and your larger projects, instead of freaking out over a mile-long to-do list. For example, those of you who hate technology, social media, and/or emailing (understandably so) should know that interns are more than likely to be knowledgeable and more interested in doing these kinds of tasks. Score!

Although many businesses are starting to pay interns now, there are still plenty of internships that are unpaid, and that’s totally ok! You can still secure interns without breaking the bank, so all you entrepreneurs with new businesses can breathe easy. I guarantee you that there are people out there who will still be willing to help you, so don’t let that hold you back from seeking them out! This is especially true when they believe in your cause.

Now you may wonder what an intern gets out of all of this. Why would someone be willing to help you and your business, possibly without pay? There are actually several reasons why someone may seek out an internship, and it really is a win-win situation.

The easiest and most common source of motivation is to fulfill a college requirement or credit.

Often times, colleges require students to have an internship during their last semester or last few semesters in order to complete their degree plan. I know it was required for me during my final semester as a journalism and public relations major, and I know it is considered a required credit for many areas of study.

Universities will usually assist in the internship process, either already having established relationships with businesses, or helping students find opportunities. And even if it isn’t required, internships are still highly recommended, as they allow students to apply what they learn in class to real life situations. Which brings me to my next point . . .

Internships allow the intern to gain experience in a certain field or explore new areas of interest.

Interning is a great way to find out what you like and what you don’t. If someone is, say, an early childhood education major and starts student teaching at a local school and realizes that they actually don’t have enough patience to deal with 15 elementary-school-aged children at once, they may want to reconsider their career path.

Personally, I got out of college and realized I still had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. So I got a regular 9 to 5 job and decided to explore my interests on the side by getting, you guessed it, internships! There’s so many career options to explore. Sometimes it’s best to shop around a bit before investing in one.

Jobs are not one-size-fits-all. Different people will be better equipped for different things. Internships are the perfect opportunity for people to explore new paths and figure out where they truly want to be and what they want to do. Some know for certain exactly what they want to do, and I’m jealous, but interning is still an amazing opportunity to gain valuable experience for future careers. More experience never hurt anybody, and especially not when it’s benefiting you!

Gaining an internship also allows interns to build and expand on their skill set and resume.

This is real life experience we’re talking about. While still important and valuable, lectures can only teach you so much, and let’s be honest, most college students are probably scrolling through Instagram or falling asleep during their lectures anyway. It’s getting out in the field and really working in it that is going to prepare them for a career and for life in general. You have the ability to provide someone with this experience.

Internships teach various skills, from time management to written and oral communication to maybe even operating Outlook at the most basic level. (I used this all through college and only realized once I got a job that there was a calendar function. How? I do not know.) “The more the merrier” applies well here. More internships means more skills means a merrier recent graduate or just someone trying to discover the right career path.

This is exactly what motivated me. I have a variety of interests, and interning helps me explore them and figure out what I am best at and what I would like to do career-wise. I am learning new skills and fine-tuning the ones I already have, so that I can better serve myself and whatever career I choose.

I’m here writing this because I was given the opportunity to learn more about publishing, promoting blog posts, and how to better use other forms of communication like social media. I am learning how to navigate around new platforms and improving my writing skills, as well as exploring new avenues.

Even better, I can add these new skills and experience to my resume. This is vital in finding and securing a job. You need experience, plain and simple. That, and a bit of luck and a few connections. Speaking of . . . 

There are abundant opportunities to network and form connections with different people and business professionals as an intern.

Networking is key. Building successful relationships with people, career related or otherwise, is a beautiful thing. Networking gives interns the chance to pick more brains and connect with professionals who may be able to help them later. All while helping you grow your business.

Being an intern can provide someone with the opportunity to attend more events and/or meetings, which is a great way to meet new people. Socializing, introducing themselves, getting their name out, and making connections is a great way to determine what kind of job they want to move towards. Besides, now you have someone to take to all of your events, and you can instill all of your wise knowledge along the way.

There are various reasons why someone may be motivated to intern, accompanied also by a plethora of mutual benefits. If, as a business owner or leader, you can give someone the opportunity to explore their interests, gain more or new experience, build their skill set, add to their resume, network, and possibly fulfill college credit, all while helping to take some of your workload away, why wouldn’t you?

And if you’re wondering how to go about getting an intern, fear not! Check back in next week and you’ll have all the answers.

---

Megan Westbrook holds a B.A. in journalism with a focus in public relations and a minor in Spanish from Georgia State University. An aspiring writer, her interests reside in blogging, social media, content creation, design, and photography. She is also a passionate social justice advocate and interested in nonprofit or cause-focused work. Megan is currently a receptionist at Servcorp in Atlanta, Georgia. 

• LinkedIn

• Portfolio

---

---

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

---

I'm Kristi Porter, and I started Signify to provide writing, consulting and strategy services to nonprofits and for-profit organizations with a social mission, primarily through copywriting, marketing, and business communications. I believe that cause-focused organizations like yours are the future of business. You're proof that companies can both make money and do good. And I'm here to help you get noticed and grow. When you succeed, we all win.

---