Any Not for Profit organisation will tell you they value keeping up with modern technology as best as they can. However, research has shown that 25 per cent of Australian NFPs are lagging behind when it comes to staying up-to-date with today’s tech.
This could be for a number of reasons. The most common issues facing the NFP clients that Human IT engages with all come down to unfamiliarity. It makes sense. The tech environment is constantly evolving, changing and morphing at a rapid pace. If you’re not in the industry or you don’t pursue technology as a hobby then it’s very easy to fall out of the loop. We get this. At Human IT we don’t just implement – but strive to educate.
According to a survey conducted earlier this year, most Not for Profit organisations “have difficulty in securing skilled IT resources, determining where to direct their IT spend, and providing affordable training.” This tells us the problem is a layered one.
So let’s breakdown the 3 main challenges facing NFPs, and provide some solutions.
1. Uncertainty around what to improve and how
NFP leaders know they want to improve their IT capabilities but knowing the specific aspects that need improvement can be a guessing game for many organisations.
The ‘how’ is another issue altogether – many companies don’t know what the process is for IT systems improvement. Total overhaul? Add on to existing infrastructure? A combination of the two?
Solution: This is where engaging with outside help becomes a must. DIY can only take you so far. Some solutions can only come from a lifetime expertise in the field. Allowing an IT professional to assess where your organisation is lacking (and figure out what the exact steps are) can set you on the right path towards a robust future.
2. The struggle to keep pace with tech is constant
Not only is it constant but unfamiliarity can lead to bad investments in technology that quickly becomes obsolete – or, perhaps worse, technology the organisation never really needed in the first place.
Solution: Do your research. Scour the net, reach out to your networks, get informed. A professional can advise what tech is best for the goals your organisation exists to achieve. Whether it be a solid CRM system, a data management service or a broad online platform for your stakeholders to engage with, the technology exists to suit every need and sometimes assistance is needed to find the right one.
3. Hiring the right people
I’ve seen many a NFP leader sit down with an IT candidate who dives right into the complex tech lingo leaving the interviewer glazed over and slightly flummoxed. It happens all the time and can lead to a totally misplaced hire - wasting money, time and energy.
Solution: If you don’t understand something – say so! Not only will you both be on the same page, but you’ll be able to gauge their communication and translation skills. If the candidate can’t explain him or herself in the interview, they won’t be able to tell you what they’re doing on the job.
The other option is to engage a professional from the IT industry who can give you sound advice and opinion on if this is the right person for the role.
Chances are you’ve dealt with at least one of these obstacles in the past so you know that being informed trumps all other tactics to overcome them.
