MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS

 

Organizational Assessment & Review

It is essential for every nonprofit or public agency to occasionally take stock of where it has been, how things are going and what its goals are for the future. While in a perfect world, this process happens on a regular basis, current economic pressures and greater demands are causing many agencies to urgently review their structures, gauge their operational effectiveness and determine what change is needed.

ESC consultants take clients through an analysis process that can focus on a few specific aspects of overall operations, management or governance, or encompass a cross-category comprehensive review. Consultations include an intensive process of gathering and analyzing data to establish an accurate understanding of the client’s organizational health and effectiveness.

On a case-by-case basis, ESC consultants determine necessary research and provide comparative data from other sources, including competitors and collegial organizations, to serve as benchmarks for evaluating various aspects of a client’s assessment. With this deep assessment, ESC can provide – as requested – recommendations for change based on findings and data.

Any ESC assessment/review project always incorporates:

      • Data analysis as the basis of all evaluation – both quantitatively and qualitatively
      • Surveys of staff, board, clients and other stakeholders to gain information on whatever issues or areas are being assessed
      • Clear reports of findings, with correlation of results to previously identified benchmarks
      • Evaluations of facility usage and ways to maximize space

 

 

Financial Management

The immense stakes involved for any nonprofit or public agency make strong financial management mandatory. Stakeholders are holding organizations of all types and sizes to ever-higher fiscal management standards.

Depending on the specific needs identified through an initial assessment with a client, ESC will provide a team of experts with advanced skills in a variety of finance-related areas and issues, including:

      • Budgeting and planning
      • Cash and cash flow management
      • Accounting and record-keeping policies and procedures
      • Regulatory compliance
      • Board finance committee training, and much more

Financial matters touch most every aspect of nonprofits and ESC consultants are able to draw upon a vast repertoire of consultant expertise in finance as well as governance and management to meet the needs of virtually any client project. These include:

      • Reviews of insurance and liability coverage and options
      • Assessment and implementation of accounting and data-management software systems
      • Facility planning and utilization, and more

 

 

Marketing & Communications

Good relationships with vital stakeholders are built on the ability of a nonprofit or public agency to tell its story. Having the message, means and strategies for getting that story across to prospective clients, funders, volunteers and the wider public is absolutely essential for building and maintaining an organization.

Effective marketing and communications happen as a result of good planning and excellent implementation – both strategic and tactical. Whether it’s evaluating an overall “brand” platform, shaping a publicity plan or guiding the revamping of a newsletter, an ESC marketing project enables clients to keep their eyes on the big picture purposes while also focusing on specific tasks and products.

Tying a proactive communications strategy to a well-detailed marketing plan can transform an organization’s public image – which can make all the difference for every aspect of its mission and activities. Among the ways in which ESC consultants can assist clients in improving their marketing and communications are:

      • Developing marketing plans of all sizes and types, from an overall cross-platform approach to initiatives targeted to specific projects or audiences
      • Conducting market research and interpreting the resulting data, including preparing & facilitating focus groups and gathering sector information
      • Identifying key audiences for specific messaging and establishing plans for reaching them effectively
      • Assessing the potential impact of utilizing social networking for communicating, and determining whether that investment of time and resource is the right choice
      • Creating brand recognition programs, including elements ranging from logo and tagline re-designs to recognition/management procedures
      • Aligning internal and external communications planning and implementation
     

 

Human Resources

Among an organization’s most important resources are its staff and volunteers. The people who carry out the mission and services are what makes mission fulfillment possible. Especially in today’s high-stress economic climate, the pressures on every facet of human resource management are huge. Motivating employees and sustaining their morale is harder than ever. Ensuring that personnel policies and procedures are both producing best results and compliant with regulations and best practices can feel daunting. Building teamwork and growing a common vision becomes more challenging.

ESC consulting teams help many organizations make the right investments in their human resources management. Utilizing knowledge gathered from best-practice research and the lessons learned from working with many different organizations that faced similar challenges over the years, our consultants guide clients in areas such as:

      • Recruiting and retaining high-quality and skilled employees
      • Conducting comprehensive audits of human resources plans, personnel policies and organizational structures
      • Assessing and comparing compensation structures to ensure salary structure and other forms of compensation to ensure they are internally equitable and competitive with market trends
      • Developing recruiting strategies, setting up search committees and creating guidelines for interviewing and evaluation
      • Reviewing/enhancing job descriptions and performance evaluations to maintain clarity and effectiveness
      • Identifying opportunities for enhancing staff morale and engagement
      • Establishing specific training opportunities in critical skills or methods