Monitoring and evaluation are a key part of non-profit life. Measuring the impact of projects is vital. It allows us to confront our assumptions, see where we can improve, and prove that what we’re doing adds value.
Poor M&E is as bad as no M&E at all. If you’re struggling with implementation of an effective process or are looking at things you can improve, there’s software that can help. But what do you need? And where do you start?
Our digital neighbourhood isn’t what it used to be. We can’t leave our electronic doors open anymore. Connected life is increasingly hostile and difficult to control, but here are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe in the technological world.
I know we live in an age where it’s considered totally fine to break up with someone via text message – or just not contact them at all, until they finally ‘get it’ – but you would hope that the end of a professional relationship would be handled a little differently.
In my family, Australia Day has always meant my sister’s birthday. Not once in 48 years can I remember doing anything vaguely patriotic on the day itself – in fact, my key memory from when we were young is my mother frantically trying to buy out-of-season strawberries for my sister’s birthday cake (not so easy in the 70s). But with the government threatening local councils who dare to move citizenship ceremonies and an increasingly loud call for a change of date, I was prompted to think about what, if anything, business can learn from Australia Day and its myriad meanings.
Working from home can be a marvellous thing; and a huge challenge. Stick to the basics to increase productivity – work out what motivates you, create a routine and put down your phone!
Balancing working from home with a toddler too? It’s doable.
In an ideal world, I would have sat down with a hot cup of coffee and jotted down a few ideas on my notepad before spending an uninterrupted hour writing and proofing this blog post.
Whichever brand of football you subscribe to whether it be soccer or rugby, there is an abundance of balls and feet. Football players can teach us a lot about teamwork. Without teamwork we would all be watching a group of people fighting over a ball like toddlers.
According to a recent MBIE report, 97 per cent of enterprises in Aotearoa (New Zealand) have fewer than 20 employees. Some 70 per cent have no employees at all! The other amazing statistic is how young and dynamic you are. One third, 33 per cent, of companies with 1-19 employees have existed for five years or fewer. Five years ago, Uber wasn’t even here yet. Being young and dynamic means that you are able to pivot and take advantage of the latest technology. We’ve trawled through the internet and have gathered a few that may make your day a bit easier.
One of the advantages of a full-time gig (aside from the steady pay check, of course) is the opportunity to get feedback on your work and plan for your professional development. But as freelancers, we’re often working in a silo. Even if the pay checks are rolling in (let’s hope!), there isn’t necessarily someone beside you encouraging you to go for that promotion or think about using your skills in a new way.
Parenting while freelancing is hard… what if you are both freelancers?