We sometimes speak of our need for split-second timing, where a decision or action must be taken very rapidly, and at precisely the right moment. We also occasionally refer to something happening in an instant, usually unexpectedly. Few nonprofit organisations, however, would see themselves depending on super-fast timing such as might be required for emergency… Continue reading Making the seconds count – rather than counting the seconds
Tag: productivity
Hurry Up and Slow Down
Tempo – yet another dimension of temporality Many years ago my piano teacher introduced me to the metronome, and its use as an aid to practicing. I started slowly at first, and then sped up as I grew more confident with either my sight reading or my familiarity with the particular piece of music I… Continue reading Hurry Up and Slow Down
Temperament and Temporality
I became ‘a morning person’ (a lark) when I was juggling an executive role, family commitments, and post-grad study. For me, the best time to concentrate on complex thinking and writing was before the household stirred. Others find that they are night owls, and their best thinking is after 8.00 pm. Whether we identify as… Continue reading Temperament and Temporality
‘Time is of the essence’: temporal factors in NFP productivity & efficiency
The phrase ‘time is of the essence‘ is usually employed to indicate that timely performance is an essential obligation under a contract. In the context of our thinking about temporal factors in nonprofit governance and management though, we can apply the phrase more broadly to productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness concerns. Temporal language pervades our discourse.… Continue reading ‘Time is of the essence’: temporal factors in NFP productivity & efficiency
The shared purpose mirror: Ideal decision and execution triangles
It has been widely recognised that good governance decisions involve identification of the ‘sweet spot’ where cost, risk, and benefit trade-offs can be achieved. A ‘mirror’ set of balancing factors is involved however when management is charged with implementation of those decisions – as illustrated above. Best practice strategy execution requires management to identify the… Continue reading The shared purpose mirror: Ideal decision and execution triangles