The Technopath Way: Productivity through tech for nonprofits Nicole Scheffler Founder of Tech Diva with Tech Tips to Tame the Overwhelm
Oct 1, 2021
24:15
Ep 105 – Nicole Schefler of Tech Diva
You can sign up for our weekly newsletter, The Technopath Way Tips, here: https://technopath.lpages.co/technopath-way-tips-email-opt-in-page/
Nicole’s tips for staying organized and taming the overwhelm:
· Map out the different technologies you use
o Make a list of the different platforms/tools you use and what they are for
o Leave a column for ‘cost’
· In a subscription based technology world (like Netflix, Disney+) it is easy to lose sight of how much your org is spending each month
· Take this list and see what automations you can put into use with your existing tech
o Do you have email automations set up?
· If automations, technology and backend organization are not your zone of genius – outsource! Find a consultant or volunteer that can lighten this load
· Reach out to adjacent nonprofit groups that focus on technology to fill your gaps
· Use the analytics already embedded in many tools (open and click rates for emails, followers, engagement, impressions on social media) to determine if you’re being effective and to see where to allocate your time
· Maybe you need a more catchy headline on LinkedIn, or clearer call-to-action on your website or social medias to have more potential stakeholders following you
· No matter what technology you want to use ask for nonprofit pricing
· Be clear on what and how you are asking stakeholders like volunteers and board members to do. While this can be time consuming to initially set up, it makes the inevitable turn over much easier to handle when the on-boarding of new board members and volunteers can be smooth and quick
Tech Stack
· Canva for graphics - the free version is very robust for pulling in volunteers
· Email Service Provider - email collection, storage, automation and marketing –
· Meditation app – the mental clarity has really helped with creativity and feeling less overwhelmed
· Digital notepad – Can write things out that are immediately converted to typed text for easy dissemination if needed, and allows you to access your notes on other devices like a phone while you’re on the go
· Trello or Basecamp – Keeps everyone updated and on the same page with projects without you having to continually explain where you are in the process
· Google Docs – simple and excellent for onboarding and turnover
Management Tips
· It is key to start with a culture of caring about the people you manage
· Being empathetic and leading with a compassionate heart
· When you build culture you build retention across the board – donors, volunteers, employees
· Inclusivity is not just about diversity, it is also about building a culture where everyone feels heard, seen and accepted
· Psychological safety is the number one thing for all organizations whether they are nonprofits or businesses
o Ask questions safely
o Provide feedback safely
· Investing in your weak points even when there isn’t a lot of wiggle room in the budget
o Paying for a management course
o Hiring an outside consultant to run technology, or engage more deeply with donors, anything outside your area of expertise
· Remember to delegate and let go so your team can help your organization grow
Nicole’s Must-Have Tool for any project – Google Suite. Everyone knows the basics of how to use it no matter what kind of turnover rate your organization may have.
Google Suite free for nonprofits -- https://www.google.com/nonprofits/?fbclid=IwAR1k55TvWmAB9rvQGE-8K9of6h10Dh2hSpoHIJa-R7EU6b8yvaxKFFFGO6k
You can sign up for our weekly newsletter, The Technopath Way Tips, here: https://technopath.lpages.co/technopath-way-tips-email-opt-in-page/
Nicole’s tips for staying organized and taming the overwhelm:
· Map out the different technologies you use
o Make a list of the different platforms/tools you use and what they are for
o Leave a column for ‘cost’
· In a subscription based technology world (like Netflix, Disney+) it is easy to lose sight of how much your org is spending each month
· Take this list and see what automations you can put into use with your existing tech
o Do you have email automations set up?
· If automations, technology and backend organization are not your zone of genius – outsource! Find a consultant or volunteer that can lighten this load
· Reach out to adjacent nonprofit groups that focus on technology to fill your gaps
· Use the analytics already embedded in many tools (open and click rates for emails, followers, engagement, impressions on social media) to determine if you’re being effective and to see where to allocate your time
· Maybe you need a more catchy headline on LinkedIn, or clearer call-to-action on your website or social medias to have more potential stakeholders following you
· No matter what technology you want to use ask for nonprofit pricing
· Be clear on what and how you are asking stakeholders like volunteers and board members to do. While this can be time consuming to initially set up, it makes the inevitable turn over much easier to handle when the on-boarding of new board members and volunteers can be smooth and quick
Tech Stack
· Canva for graphics - the free version is very robust for pulling in volunteers
· Email Service Provider - email collection, storage, automation and marketing –
· Meditation app – the mental clarity has really helped with creativity and feeling less overwhelmed
· Digital notepad – Can write things out that are immediately converted to typed text for easy dissemination if needed, and allows you to access your notes on other devices like a phone while you’re on the go
· Trello or Basecamp – Keeps everyone updated and on the same page with projects without you having to continually explain where you are in the process
· Google Docs – simple and excellent for onboarding and turnover
Management Tips
· It is key to start with a culture of caring about the people you manage
· Being empathetic and leading with a compassionate heart
· When you build culture you build retention across the board – donors, volunteers, employees
· Inclusivity is not just about diversity, it is also about building a culture where everyone feels heard, seen and accepted
· Psychological safety is the number one thing for all organizations whether they are nonprofits or businesses
o Ask questions safely
o Provide feedback safely
· Investing in your weak points even when there isn’t a lot of wiggle room in the budget
o Paying for a management course
o Hiring an outside consultant to run technology, or engage more deeply with donors, anything outside your area of expertise
· Remember to delegate and let go so your team can help your organization grow
Nicole’s Must-Have Tool for any project – Google Suite. Everyone knows the basics of how to use it no matter what kind of turnover rate your organization may have.
Google Suite free for nonprofits -- https://www.google.com/nonprofits/?fbclid=IwAR1k55TvWmAB9rvQGE-8K9of6h10Dh2hSpoHIJa-R7EU6b8yvaxKFFFGO6k