Learning new skills and ways of looking at the world keeps us engaged and alert. Humans are wired to learn. Remember that old saying, ‘Use it or lose it’? Turns out that applies to neural pathways too. The old-fashioned way of learning as an adult is to pay money to an expert and go off […]

“I’ve had too much professional development”, said no one ever in the do-good sector. A common theme I hear is that your organisation lacks a dedicated professional development budget and aren’t investing in you. While this mentality definitely needs to change in the do-good sector, the good news is that today, if you want to develop […]

Organisational culture is much more than the values written in the employee handbook or on the poster outside the HR office. This is highlighted by one of my favourite quotes by Torben Rick that ‘Culture is the organisation’s immune system’  Whilst non-profits don’t always have the same budget for staff activities as large corporations, this doesn’t […]

Is ‘do good schmoozing’ an oxymoron? Liz doesn’t think so. She believes that integrity is at the heart of all good networking. If you reckon networking has to be fake and unscrupulous, this post might be the push you need to get out there.  Until recently, I had a BIG issue with professional networking.  My issue […]

We’re six months into 2019. Not quite sure how June snuck up so quickly but here we are. June is the traditional mid-year review time. Below we list some ideas around how to make these go smoothly, but who says you have to stick with tradition? June is a great time to bring your team […]

We’re halfway through the year. Yikes! I am not quite sure how it’s been six months since Christmas but here we are. It’s a good time to dust off goals and intentions from the New Year and reflect on the year so far. Or in gardener-speak, do a bit of weeding and pruning, and feed […]

Nothing sends an enticing message to prospective employees like a great recruitment process – and that all starts with your job listing. A clear recruitment process saves your time and that of your prospective applicants – sending a clear message that your organisation is respectful and efficient. Ever been baffled by jargon in job vacancy […]

The satisfaction of knowing that you’ve made a real difference? That’s hard to beat. Working at a not-for-profit (NFP) can be absolutely amazing, but it’s not always going to feel like laughing-while-eating-an-organic-salad. Sometimes, working at NFP can feel like being trapped on an island filled with dinosaurs.  While I’m not trying to dissuade you from working […]

Checking a potential employee’s references is crucial for any role. It can provide a good overview of the candidate’s suitability for the position. It may give insights into levels of ability and, depending upon questions asked, into things such as work style and ethics. It can also highlight any potential red flags or areas where an individual […]

This month we are focused on a crucial part of the job hunt, which is often unfortunately out of your direct control – reference checks. I’ve pitched a few frequently asked reference questions to recruitment expert, Kirsty McLaren, Director of McLaren Associates – a recruitment firm who specialises in not-for-profit recruiting throughout New Zealand.  Kirsty […]

We can’t wrap staff in cotton wool, but we can do our darndest to create a healthy work culture to prevent AND put systems in place in case employees tip off the edge of high productivity into the depths of burnout. Protecting your staff from burnout isn’t just about one person, the effects ripple out […]

Between quitting one job and starting another there is a crossover, an overlap, a natural period of contemplation, in a Venn diagram it’s your work and life. This crossover is an ideal opportunity to look back at your work-life and reflect on why one job fit like a glove, while another job fit like a mitten hand-knitted […]

The new year is traditionally a time when people look to make changes to their lives – which can often include a change of job or career. Losing good employees can be costly in so many ways – from the cost of recruitment and training of a new employee, the loss of knowledge and skills to […]

Does your New Year’s resolution include operation find a new job? If so, it’s time to get yourself ready for the combat ahead. Here are our top tips to get you started: #1. Spruce up your resume Just like you might do a spring clean to get your house in order for the new year, […]

Contrary to what we often see in films and on TV, board members aren’t always suit-clad white, older men. We know that diversity leads to greater strength, and resilience, so it’s not surprising that not-for-profit boards are often made up of diverse ethnicities, genders and ages. A not-for-profit board makes sure an organisation has a […]

The staff party might be planned, employee gifts wrapped and the Christmas cards signed, but what do your employees really want? You might not be able to fulfil their dreams of dishing out bonus cheques or pay rises, but here are some ways to show appreciation to your employees, with a not-for-profit and social enterprise […]

I have been talking to job seekers in the do-good sector, four of them. These fabulous four have applied for, on average, eight jobs in the last six months. These folks are good at what they do, and their CV’s were some of the best I have seen. They heard back from the grand total […]

Getting a job you love is one of the BEST feelings imaginable, but what about the unanswered applications, sad-face interviews and straight-out rejections strewn along the way? We feel your pain. Here are five perspective shifts to help you stand back up when you don’t get your dream job. My phone rang. Finally! I’d been waiting […]

Why do organisations need to change? Organisations are fluid and impacted by both internal and external factors.  Not managing changes effectively can be devastating and long-lasting, so it’s important to understand the potential issues and equip ourselves with techniques to support change-management initiatives, especially in the do-good space.   Factors for change The Chartered Institute […]

Is your work turning you into a jerk? Is 9-to-5-ing stopping you from thriving? Does your current career fill you with fear?  It’s normal to fantasise about ending a job sometimes, but there are options to consider before you hand in your notice.  I consider myself somewhat of an expert in quitting jobs. Over the years […]