Blogs
Beth Kanter
Practical advice on nonprofit technology issues subtitled “Networks and Data for Social Change.”
http://www.bethkanter.org
Joan Garry
Insightful, lighthearted and concrete approach to nonprofit leadership issues, “Nonprofits are Messy.”
http://www.joangarry.com
Late Blooming Entrepreneurs
Refreshing stories of women and men who followed their dreams.
https://latebloomingentrepreneurs.wordpress.com/
Nonprofit AF
A humorous approach to nonprofit issues, written by an Executive Director.
http://www.nonprofitaf.com
Occam’s Razor
Avinash Kaushik might inspire you to use your blog as a revenue source.
https://www.kaushik.net/avinash/
Philanthropy 2173
Lucy Bernholz’s blog on the future of philanthropy.
https://philanthropy.blogspot.com/
Seth’s Blog
Quick and easy read with lots of fresh ideas from the author Seth Godin.
https://seths.blog/
Thinkers50
Management ideas from thought leaders.
https://thinkers50.com/blog/
Magazines/Websites
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
The old standard, offering news, ideas, commentary and resources for nonprofits. Ideas and advice on strategy, innovation and leadership.
https://www.philanthropy.com/
Harvard Business Review
https://hbr.org/
IssueLab
Sharing social sector research from around the world, a service of Candid.
https://www.issuelab.org/
Nonprofit Quarterly
An old standard, providing investigative journalism on philanthropy, fundraising, governance and policy.
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/
The Nonprofit Times
“The Leading Business Publication for Nonprofit Management”
http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/
Stanford Social Innovation Review
Great source for research-based insight on nonprofits and the social sector.
https://ssir.org/
TD Magazine
The Association of Talent Development publication on industry best practices, emerging technologies, and trends.
https://www.td.org/td-magazine
Books
The Achievement Habit, Dr. Bernard Roth
Based on the theory that it’s better to try and fail than to do nothing, the co-founder of Design Thinking
Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehi Coates
Timely read for discussions of racial diversity.
The Lean Startup, Eric Ries
How to bootstrap a business and maximize success by staying lean.
Made to Stick, Chip Heath & Dan Heath
How to make sure your ideas are heard and shared.
Mastery, Robert Greene
As a consultant you already have developed an expertise, learn how to use it to its full advantage.
The Medici Effect, Frans Johansson
The concept of innovation as the intersection of different fields, disciplines or cultures.
The Backstory – how I discovered The Medici Effect:
Sometimes I need a creative fix. Travel, art and museums are all good sources. In St Petersburg Florida, the Dali Museum is a great place to get one. If the building itself isn’t enough, there is Dali’s art.
Recently I was there to talk with Dr. Kim Macuare about helping nonprofits be more creative. She is the Director of the Dali’s Innovation Labs, a unique resource offering creativity workshops for business teams.
She inspired me! I enjoyed hearing about her work and invited her to present a workshop for nonprofits. Before I left, I asked Kim for a book recommendation. She suggested The Medici Effect.
It’s an easy read and a simple premise. The author defines innovation as the intersection of different fields, disciplines or cultures. At that intersection there’s plenty of fertile ground for fresh ideas, the more ideas, the greater the possibility of true innovation. The takeaway for me was the value of learning broadly and the importance of curiosity.
Because I, somewhat accidentally, have been working in the “startup” world in addition to the nonprofit community, I was intrigued by the possibilities. In small ways I have crossed the two and had interesting results. An example is the Lean Business Canvas created for tech startups that we now use in the Nonprofit Consultants Institute. I have a way to go before I discover my great innovation, but I’m encouraged to keep at it!
I requested The Medici Effect from my local library but it turns out there is a newer edition. I highly recommend it (in either version).
Never Eat Alone, Keith Ferrazzi
Even the title is inspiring; take advantage of opportunities and create relationships. Connecting is key.
The Obstacle is the Way, Ryan Holiday
The subtitle says it all, “The timeless art of turning trials into triumph.”
Purple Cow, Seth Godin
Seth’s books are quick easy reads and they are full of fresh ideas, this one will show you how to stand out from the crowd by being ‘remarkable.”
Sprint, Jake Knapp
For fresh insight on how nimble businesses are solving problems and creating new products.
Start with Why, Simon Sinek
How to inspire action, there’s a follow-up workbook, Find Your Why. Or just watch his TED Talk, How Great Leaders Inspire Action.
The Story Factor, Annette Simmons
Excellent standard on storytelling.
The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell
This, and his other books, offer a fresh perspective on popular culture from a journalistic view.
Traction, Gino Wickman
If you’re building a business, this lays out the Entrepreneurial Operating System.
Who Do We Chose to Be?, Margaret Wheatley
A look at how to lead right now, “Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity.”
Work is Love Made Visible, Frances Hesselbein, Marshall Goldsmith & Sarah McArthur
Essays on the power of finding your purpose.
Zag, Marty Neumeier
“The Number One Strategy of High-Performance Brands,” how to differentiate yourself from the crowd.
