NTEN CHANGE: Engaging Major Donors With New Media

Page 40

TECH TIPS FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

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MUST-HAVE TOOLS FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

from holly ross nten’s executive director As an Executive Director, I especially love talking to other leaders about technology. No matter what prompts the conversation though, it almost always circles back to the same place: productivity.

For the ED, the ultimate win for technology comes when we get even 1% more efficient. That’s all it takes. See how easy we are to please? So, for my fellow nonprofit leaders, here are the technology tools I can’t live without.

1

Evernote – As the leader, I have a lot of things to keep track of – from human FLICKR CREDIT: LOVEBUGSTUDIOS resource to program to fundraising to, well, technology. It’s exacerbated by the fact that it’s a 24/7 job. I have some of my best ideas while washing dishes, and I find some of the best sites while on the train. Evernote lets me organize files, web sites, pictures, audio, and notes, from any device. If I see conference signage I want Anna to use at the next NTC, I snap a picture and save it in my NTC notebook. If I find a great article on IRS cell phone reimbursement policies,

I can clip it straight from the browser into my Operations notebook. I can retrieve these items from my phone, my tablet, my laptop, or any computer with a browser.

2

Dropbox – Did I already mention that this is a 24/7 job? Another resource that lets you work on the files you want, when you want, is Dropbox. I save all my presentations into Dropbox, so I can download and edit them on any computer or tablet. I can also email a link to the file to anyone else, like a collaborator on the document or a staff member that needs a copy.

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Expensify – No more lost receipts – and automagical expense reports! That is all, and that is enough.

Tripit – If you travel more than once a month, you need TripIt. TripIt organizes all your travel information into a cohesive file for each trip, keeping your confirmation numbers and locations all in one place. It works on a computer, tablet, or on your phone. It can even send you text message travel updates and reminders.

5

Spotify – OK, it’s not about productivity, per se. But streaming KClark’s new album always makes me work a little faster.

As a nonprofit leader, what technology tools make you more productive? Share your suggestions with us! Leave your comment on our blog and mention you’re an NTEN:Change reader – and we’ll pick one lucky commenter to win complimentary membership from NTEN for 2012!

NTEN: CHANGE · DECEMBER 2011 · PAGE 40


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