Change Management - The right recipe for charities?

As a new term of a Conservative majority government starts to take shape, most people are in no doubt what the future holds - especially if you work in the public sector. More departmental cuts, less spending and private enterprise playing a bigger part on how services are delivered.

Across all sectors, we are seeing more and more sustained 'change management' programmes designed to enable sufficient delivery, but at a leaner cost. The reason is simple - there is less money to go around so we have no choice. Some Private enterprise has had to do the same, but their intentions are much simpler... reduce the cost while increasing delivery - resulting in continued profit. And there lies the first fundamental difference in outcomes - one we are all well accustomed with by now.

Private = Profit
Public = Impact

So where does the 3rd sector and charity fit into this equation? I believe it doesn't and will attempt to explain why...

Slowly but surely, the public sector is concentrating much more on social impact, and public benefit as an indicator of success and they are building this around decision making processes. Companies are much more aware by incorporating social responsibility into their strategy and business plans. (Some are better at this than others). Charities must do these as a lawful duty - If they don't, then why do they exist?

Implementing change management has to different.
Charities exist to enhance a cause, increase benefit to those who need it and spend only what is required to achieve their goal. On the face of it, if this was true in every charity then change management would never be required.

Reactive v Pro-Active
Until recently, no public sector or private company sought change unless money (or profit) was the issue. Change was needed to 'manage' this. A reactive consequence of a change in circumstance.

The 'change' required in charities should always be to improve their offer; The offer of how they deliver benefit. The result may often be that more money is required - and that's fine! The management of this change is the resulting challenge of how to attract more investment and funding...

Yes, charities have less money and need to constantly review their processes and structures, but why should a charity be at this point in the first place? 'Change management' is not what your charity requires - Enhancing your offer is the starting point.

If a charity can confidently say that each building, staff member, expense and asset is needed to achieve their goal, then change management is not required. Better communication to donors is the real challenge. Know your cause, evidence the need and don't make excuses.

What works?
I recommend you start with 4 key questions.
1. Why do we exist?
2. What do we offer?
3. Who needs us?
4. How do we increase support for our cause?

It's amazing how many charities don't start here - and even more so, the number who don't constantly revisit these questions regularly. If you're carrying waste, this is depriving your beneficiaries. If it's not working, it's not needed. Brutal? Yes - but honesty goes much further than cloaked justification.

The result of not doing so - the perception that 'change management' is required and a loss of vital resources when all that's truly needed is constant self review, honesty and action.