The Entrepreneurial Non-Profit: The Key To Maximizing Sustainable Impact

Most non-profit executive leaders and board members hold firmly to the conviction they're running an efficient, sustainable operation. Few of the organizations they lead engage in a disciplined process of strategic thinking and execution planning. Most of them resist employing best business practises because "we're a nonprofit!" They do so at their own peril. Weaving fable and theory, Dr. Ken Thiessen speaks to the heart of the issue facing most nonprofits today. Given the way in which the world is changing, the old way no longer works! Many nonprofit leaders lie awake at night wrestling with that realization but are too afraid to think entrepreneurially. Ultimately that’s the only way to avoid the tsunami about to hit your organization. It’s also the key to maximizing sustainable impact for the people you care most about! Building on the 4 Decisions Planning Model Ken illustrates how nonprofit organizations can employ best business practises without compromising their core values, core purpose and ultimately their mission and do so in a way that increases sustainability and enhances the organization's ROI - Return on Impact.

Dr. Ken Thiessen founded Power of One Consulting in 2010 following 25 years working for and with nonprofits as a staff person and a Board member. He spent five years in a nonprofit executive leadership role resourcing 45 affiliated nonprofit organizations and agencies. He is a visionary leader who is a catalyst for change. He has an earned doctorate with a specialization in understanding organizations as systems. His doctoral project focused on understanding the role and function of power in faith based nonprofits. Coincidental with founding Power of One he joined Gazelles International and received his Certified Coach designation in October 2010. Ken invests his time and energy coaching executive management teams and boards of growth-oriented, entrepreneurial nonprofit organizations, and businesses in strategic thinking/execution planning, organizational health and development, and team building.