Non-Profit Expansion

Case Study 3: Strategic International Growth for a Non-profit

One principal has been consulting with a non-profit organisation of 10,000 employees and 200,000 customers. For years, the challenge has been to find innovative ways to break out of its mature domestic market, but the organization has made little headway.  To create a paradigm shift, a project was co-developed that aided organization leaders to see the dilemma with fresh eyes and delve into deep-seated values to see how they would play out in the future.  As a result, the organization effectively developed and considered a framework of strategic options for global growth, enabling stakeholders to develop common ground and prepare for implementation. One of the outcomes will be a re-design of planning procedures that helps leaders move from discussion to action plans. A number of insights emerged that are relevant for any organization – big or small – that is committed to "growing-global":

• Clarify organizational values
• Understand what is happening to customers and in the external environment
• Share and actively discuss plans with the people responsible for implementation
• Be prepared to learn and change the organization
• Accept that risk is inherent, and courage will be required