My Friend Herb Sturz

My Friend Herb Sturz

June 14, 2021

This week an icon left us and with his passing, the lights in New York City are a little less bright.

Herb was a giant with a big brain, a huge heart and tremendous passion for fairness and justice. Simply put, he saw wrongs and tried to right them. His genuineness and depth of character caused people around him to listen to what he had to say. He was the force behind significant social reform in New York City—but chose to work behind the scenes. He was too smart to believe that only one person had all of the answers, so he found creative ways to bring people together to solve problems– a pied piper of sorts who brought us all along to make the world more just.

Early in my tenure as the CEO of the Fedcap Group, I was introduced to Herb by Carol Kellerman, then President of the Citizens Budget Commission. This meeting changed the course of my work and our organization. It also changed me.

Herb mentored me—why he chose me I will never know, but I will be eternally grateful. He challenged ideas and asked me some of the smartest, most astute questions I have ever been asked. He helped me refine goals and think strategically. He taught me the art of planning important, system-changing advances, by practicing patience and taking incremental, tactical steps. He was the epitome of being “better together” and it was magical to watch him in action. He told me when I was doing a good job and maybe more importantly, when I wasn’t.

Herb was also my dear friend. Many Sunday mornings we went to breakfast, and I laughed until it hurt, as he shared his many remarkable stories. As was his way, he captivated people around him, including wait staff and people passing by our table, with his charm and wit. He had a twinkle in his eye that I will forever remember.

Over the past year or so, as his body was slowing down, his mind was ever on alert, looking for connections and opportunities to make a difference—doing this mattered to Herb.

How privileged we were to have this legend, who was at the same time such a lovely human being, walk among us for 90 years.

The Fedcap Group created this video to honor Herb and his many contributions to New York City. I hope you enjoy it.

Goodbye my dear friend, I will miss you.

14 junio 2021

Mi Querido Amigo Herb Sturz

Esta semana nos dejó un icono y con su fallecimiento, las luces en la ciudad de Nueva York están un poco menos brillantes.

Herb era un gigante con una gran mente, un gran corazón y una tremenda pasión por la equidad y la justicia. En pocas palabras, vio errores y trató de corregirlos. Su autenticidad y profundidad de carácter hicieron que la gente a su alrededor escuchara lo que tenía que decir. Él fue la fuerza detrás de una reforma social significativa en la ciudad de Nueva York, pero decidió trabajar detrás de bambalinas. Era demasiado inteligente para creer que sólo una persona tenía todas las respuestas, así que encontró formas creativas de reunir a la gente para resolver problemas, un especie de flautista que nos atrajo como imán todo el tiempo para hacer que el mundo fuera más justo.

Al principio de mi mandato como Presidenta Ejecutiva del Grupo Fedcap, Carol Kellerman, entonces Presidenta de Citizens Budget Commission, me presentó a Herb. Esta reunión cambió el curso de mi trabajo y de nuestra organización. Así como También me cambió a mí.
Herb me asesoró—por qué me eligió a mí, yo nunca lo sabré—, pero estaré eternamente agradecida. Desafió las ideas y me hizo algunas de las preguntas más inteligentes y astutas que nunca me habían hecho. Me ayudó a refinar metas y pensar estratégicamente. Me enseñó el arte de planificar avances importantes que cambiaran el sistema; practicando la paciencia y tomando pasos tácticos progresivamente. Él era la personificación de estar “mejor juntos” y era mágico verlo en acción. Me decía cuando estaba haciendo un buen trabajo y tal vez lo más importante era, cuando me decía que no lo estaba haciendo.
Herb también era mi muy querido amigo. Muchos domingos por la mañana íbamos a desayunar, y me reía con él hasta que me dolía, ya que compartía muchas de sus extraordinarias historias. Tal cual era su manera; él cautivó a la gente a su alrededor, incluyendo el personal del restaurante y a las personas que pasaban por nuestra mesa con su encanto e ingenio. Tenía un brillo en sus ojos que recordaré para siempre.

Durante el último año más o menos, a medida que su cuerpo decaía, su mente estaba siempre en alerta, buscando contactos y oportunidades para hacer la diferencia, hacer esto era lo que le importaba a Herb.
Qué privilegiados fuimos todos nosotros de tener a esta leyenda; que fue al mismo tiempo un ser humano tan encantador; caminar entre nosotros durante 90 años.

The Grupo Fedcap hizo este video para honrar a Herb y a sus muchas contribuciones a la ciudad de Nueva York. Espero que lo disfrutes.

Hasta pronto mi querido amigo, te echaré de menos.

Is Our Thinking Evolving?

Is Our Thinking Evolving?

June 7, 2021

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” – Arthur Conan Doyle

It is summer and I am eager to get back to biking.

I love to bike. I always have. I have owned many different types of bikes and love mountain bikes, street bikes, cross country … and over the years, like most relatively serious bikers, I have fine-tuned my riding experience—almost.

I thoroughly enjoy the feeling of freedom that comes with biking. I enjoy the scenery, the sense of adventure, and I even enjoy the hills—both directions! And when I have completed a good ride, I love the feeling of accomplishment.

But the part that I may love most about biking is the planning for the next trip. I love the detail involved in every aspect and each phase of the planning. I have developed a checklist and I go through that list –in meticulous detail—building on my knowledge from previous trips.

Was my tire pressure appropriate to begin the trip? Did I keep it right for each phase of the trip? Did I carry the right amount of water? Food? Did I plan my breaks right? Was the trip too long? Too short? Did I carry the right gear? Do I need new gear? Did I carry the right equipment? Can I lessen the weight in any part of my bike without compromising the trip? Each trip feeds my knowledge base and thus, my planning. And no matter how long I have biked, I continue to learn and hone each biking experience.

And for those who bike with me, I make sure that they plan too. I learned this the hard way!

I am not sure where this focus on detail came from, but it drives me, possibly to a fault! Those with whom I work side by side know this. Every experience that I have had professionally feeds the next experience. Each interview with a prospective candidate drives the next interview. Every program launch informs the next launch. Every new acquisition is informed by past acquisitions. Every experience improves the quality of my planning and the depth and types of the questions I ask as I prepare.

Because I document my planning process, I have a history of how I have prepared for my many bike trips. Recently, I spent some time looking back over my journals and was struck by the difference in the questions I asked from my fledgling years as a biker to today. I was struck by the shift in how I planned and the way I organized. It was interesting to see the way my thinking about biking evolved and how this evolution impacted how I planned and executed each trip.

While I am not one that uses a lot of metaphors, I do think that there is a message here that should not be lost. People who want to improve evolve in how they approach a task. I look for evolution in thinking when I hire potential executives in the company. I look for individuals who have a process that they follow to improve how they solve problems and plan for the known and the unknown. And I spend a lot of time during the interview seeking to understand how their process has evolved. Because … evolution in thinking matters!

Someone asked me once in an interview and the question has always stuck with me:

Do you have 25 years of experience or do you have one year of experience that you repeated 25 times?” In other words, did you evolve?

As always, I welcome your thoughts!

7 junio 2021

¿Está Evolucionando Nuestro Pensamiento?

“Cuando los ánimos están por los suelos, cuando el día parece negro, cuando el trabajo se vuelve monótono, cuando la esperanza apenas tenerla parece valer la pena , basta con montar una bicicleta y salir a dar una vuelta calle abajo, sin pensar en nada más que en el paseo que se está dando.” – Arthur Conan Doyle

Es verano y estoy ansiosa por volver a montar en bicicleta.

Me encanta andar en bicicleta. Siempre lo he hecho. He tenido muchos tipos diferentes de bicicletas y me encantan las bicicletas de montaña, las bicicletas para la ciudad, y las de todo terreno … y a lo largo de los años; como la mayoría de los ciclistas relativamente serios, casi, he afinado mi experiencia de andar en bicicleta así.

Disfruto muchísimo la sensación de libertad que me da el ciclismo. Disfruto del paisaje, el sentido de la aventura, e incluso disfruto de las colinas, ¡en ambas direcciones! Y cuando he completado un buen viaje en ella, me encanta la sensación de logro.

Pero la parte que más puede gustarme de andar en bicicleta; es la planificación para el próximo viaje. Me encanta el detalle involucrado en cada aspecto y en cada fase de la planificación. He fabricado una lista de verificación y voy a través de esa lista -con meticuloso detalle – basándome en mis conocimientos de viajes anteriores.

¿era la presión del aire de mis neumáticos apropiada, para comenzar el viaje? ¿Lo mantuve apropiado para cada fase del viaje? ¿Llevé la cantidad correcta de agua? ¿víveres? ¿Planeé bien mis descansos? ¿Fue el viaje demasiado largo? ¿Demasiado corto? ¿Llevé las herramientas adecuadas? ¿Necesito equipo nuevo? ¿Llevé el equipo adecuado? ¿Puedo disminuir el peso en cualquier parte de mi bicicleta sin poner en peligro el viaje? Cada viaje alimenta mi base de conocimientos y, por lo tanto, mi planificación. Y no importa cuánto tiempo haya montado en bicicleta, sigo aprendiendo y perfeccionando cada experiencia de ciclismo.

Y para aquellos que montan en bicicleta conmigo, me aseguro de que también planifiquen. Aprendí esto, de la forma más dura!

No estoy segura de dónde viene este enfoque en el detalle, pero me lleva, posiblemente a una culpa! Aquellos con los que trabajo codo a codo lo saben. Cada experiencia que he tenido profesionalmente alimenta la siguiente. Cada entrevista con un candidato potencial impulsa la siguiente entrevista. Cada programa lanzado, informa el próximo lanzamiento. Cada nueva adquisición se basa en adquisiciones anteriores. Cada experiencia mejora la calidad de mi planificación y la profundidad y los tipos de las preguntas que me hago mientras me preparo.

Debido a que documento mi proceso de planificación, tengo un historial de cómo me he preparado para mis muchos viajes en bicicleta. Recientemente, pasé algún tiempo rememorando en mis diarios y me llamó la atención la diferencia en las preguntas que me hice desde mis años novatos como ciclista hasta hoy. Me llamó la atención el cambio en la forma en que planeé y la manera en la que me organicé. Me pareció interesante ver la forma en que evolucionó mi pensamiento sobre el ciclismo y cómo esta evolución impactó en la manera cómo planeé y ejecuté cada viaje.

Si bien no soy de las que utilizan muchas metáforas, creo que hay un mensaje aquí que no debe perderse. Las personas que quieren mejorar evolucionan en la forma en que abordan una tarea. Busco la evolución de pensamiento cuando contrato a ejecutivos potenciales en la organización. Busco individuos que tengan un proceso que sigan, para mejorar la forma en que resuelven problemas y planifican tanto para lo conocido como para lo desconocido. Y paso mucho tiempo durante la entrevista tratando de entender cómo ha evolucionado su proceso. ¡Porque … la evolución en el pensamiento importa!

Alguien me preguntó una vez en una entrevista y la pregunta siempre se me ha quedado grabada:

“¿Tienes 25 años de experiencia o tienes un año de experiencia que se ha repetido 25 veces? ” En otras palabras, ¿evolucionaste?

!Como siempre, agradezco tus comentarios!

Reflection and Action

Reflection and Action

May 28, 2021

As we spend this weekend remembering our veterans—I have asked Retired Army Colonel David Sutherland to serve as a guest blogger today. We are grateful for his service to this country—and his leadership on and off the battlefield.

By Retired Army Colonel David W. Sutherland, Chairman, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services– a member organization of The Fedcap Group

If ye break faith with us who die” John McCrae, 1915

This weekend marks Memorial Day, a sacred day of recognition in the United States. At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we will spend the weekend remembering, honoring, and mourning the United States military members who died while serving in the Armed Forces – some of whom we served with over the course of our military service.

One of history’s most famous wartime poems, In Flanders Fields, written in 1915 during the First World War by Canadian officer and surgeon John McCrae, provides a moment to reflect.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

As a child, my father, Dr. G. W. Sutherland, a Canadian Army Veteran, would share his interpretation of the poem with me. He believed that the last stanza was written to inspire those reading this poem to reflect on the achievements and the sacrifices of our nation’s fallen and to never forget them or their families.

We are reminded that the worst thing we can do is to forget. We can all use the opportunity created by Memorial Day to remember those who died while serving, be it in combat, during training exercises, or through accidents and non-combat related deaths.

The narratives of those who have fallen live on through their families. These families are given the honorific “Gold Star” to designate that they have had a loved one lose his/her life in service to the nation. If you know a Gold Star family, reach out to check on them this weekend and provide encouragement. If you meet a Gold Star family member in the future, ask them to share their story, then take the time to listen.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic may alter our ability to honor the fallen with parades or memorial services, it does provide an opportunity for us to create our own personal remembrances. Consider the following activities this weekend:

    • Plant a remembrance tree or flowers with your family
    • Research the achievements of one of our fallen from previous wars and ongoing combat operations
    • Livestream virtual events from memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, and local ceremonies.

 

This Memorial Day weekend, I hope that you take a moment to personally reflect on the achievements and courage of our U.S. service members who died while serving in the Armed Forces.

At Dixon Center, we will always remember, and they will never be forgotten.

28 mayo 2021

Reflexión y Acción

Mientras pasamos este fin de semana recordando a nuestros veteranos, le he pedido al coronel retirado del ejército David Sutherland que sirva como “bloguero” invitado hoy. Estamos agradecidos por su servicio a este país, y su liderazgo dentro y fuera del campo de batalla.
Por el Coronel Retirado del Ejército David W. Sutherland, Presidente del Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services – una organización miembro del Fedcap Group.

“If ye break faith with us who die ” John McCrae, 1915

Este fin de semana se celebra el Día de los Veteranos, un día sagrado de reconocimiento en los Estados Unidos. En Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, pasaremos el fin de semana recordando, honrando y guardando luto a los militares de los Estados Unidos que murieron mientras servían en las Fuerzas Armadas; algunos de los cuales con los que servimos en el transcurso de nuestro servicio militar.

Uno de los poemas bélicos más famosos de la historia, In Flanders Fields, escrito en 1915 durante la Primera Guerra Mundial por el oficial y cirujano canadiense John McCrae, ofrece un momento para reflexionar.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

De niño, mi padre, el Dr. G. W. Sutherland, un veterano del ejército canadiense, compartió conmigo su interpretación del poema. Él creía que la última estrofa estaba escrita para inspirar a aquellos que leían este poema; a reflexionar sobre los logros y los sacrificios de nuestros caídos y a nunca olvidarles tanto a ellos como a sus familias.

Se nos recuerda que lo peor que podemos hacer es olvidar. Todos podemos aprovechar la oportunidad creada por el Día de los Veteranos para recordar a aquellos que murieron mientras servían; ya fuera en combate, durante ejercicios de entrenamiento o a través de accidentes y muertes no relacionadas con el combate.

La narrativa de aquellos que han caído vive a través de sus familias. A estas familias se les da la honorífica “Estrella de Oro” para destacar que han tenido un ser querido que había perdido su vida al servicio de la nación. Si conoces a una familia de “Estrella de Oro”, ponte en contacto con ella este fin de semana y dale ánimos. Si conoces a un miembro de la familia “Estrella de Oro” en el futuro, pídele que comparta su historia y luego tómate el tiempo para escucharle.

Aunque la pandemia COVID-19 pudiera alterar nuestra capacidad de honrar a los Veteranos con desfiles o servicios conmemorativos; nos brinda la oportunidad de crear nuestros propios recuerdos personales. Considera las siguientes actividades este fin de semana:

    • Planta un árbol o flores de recordación con tu familia.
    • Investiga los logros de uno de nuestros caídos de guerras anteriores, así como de uno en operaciones de combate en curso.
    • Retransmite en vivo eventos virtuales de recordación como: desde el cementerio nacional de Arlington y o desde ceremonias locales.

Este fin de semana del Día de los Veteranos, espero que te tomes un momento para reflexionar personalmente sobre los logros y el coraje de nuestros militares estadounidenses que murieron mientras servían en las Fuerzas Armadas.

En el Dixon Center, siempre los recordaremos, y nunca serán olvidados.

The Consequence of Focus

The Consequence of Focus

May 24, 2021

As anyone who knows me well can tell you, I am not much of a sports fan, especially golf. I barely understand even the most basic rules. But it was hard not to hear the news of Phil Mickelson—a 50-year-old golfer—leading the PGA over the four days and eventually winning. He beat Las Vegas odds and most followers of golf did not think he would pull it off. Before Mickelson, the oldest person to win a major championship was 48 years old—and that happened in 1968, over half a century ago.

I think what made this remarkable, was not his age, but the absolute focus it took to stay on top for each grueling day of the tournament. Each hole on the course was a new challenge, each hole an opportunity to make a mess or to succeed. Each shot required that he clear the noise and focus—seeing the shot.

We are all faced with more and more reasons to be distracted. And while some of the distractions seem to be adding to our life, they are most often actually undermining our progress. Distractions take us away from what we should be doing and kills our momentum. Clearing the noise is not easy, but imperative if we are to think critically and make sound decisions. It requires a level of focus few know how to achieve. It requires seeing the goal.

The author of an article in Business Insider advises that in order to develop the focus muscle, companies need to select 1 to 3 high priority goals and stick to them. “Focus the entire organization on those goals and continually track results.”

In the same spirit, several years ago Steve Jobs said something that has stuck with me: “Focus is not about saying yes. It is about saying no to the hundred other good ideas that clutter the mind and shift the focus.”

This becomes more true every single day.

Clay Scroggins, in his book How to Lead in a World of Distraction, provides an interesting strategy to clear the noise and stay focused. I think that this too is spot on: Know your why. Find that one sentence that defines why you do the things you do, and it can have massive repercussions on your life moving forward. When you clarify your why—and by that, I mean the answer to every ‘why do you do what you do’ question—you can lead effectively.”

He suggests we ask ourselves four questions: “What are the things I no longer need? What can I afford to get rid of? What are the things keeping me from what matters most? And how can I organize my life so that I know exactly what I’m looking for and I can easily see what matters right away?

Your why becomes the filter through which you can decide what you spend your time on.

As leaders, we need to appreciate in new ways the importance of clearing the noise, staying focused and knowing our why.

Wait and See … A Good Leadership Strategy or Not?

Wait and See … A Good Leadership Strategy or Not?

May 17, 2021

The idea of wait and see is considered by some to be a passive approach to leadership. According to a recent article in Entreprenuer.com, “the reactive style of leadership–characterized by a ‘let’s-wait-and-see’ attitude and delayed decision-making–is rarely effective.”

Most of the time I might say the same thing. But over the years, I have come to see the wisdom in certain circumstances of … waiting. That may sound counterintuitive for those who regularly read my blog. You KNOW that I am a staunch advocate of proactive leadership, of understanding the environment in which we operate and positioning our company to be prepared for and even ahead of market trends. That said, when circumstances are unprecedented—such as 9/11 and the pandemic—the instinct to act may be exactly the wrong thing to do.

It takes time following world-changing events to understand the best course of action—or reaction. It takes time to understand what the data is telling us. Sometimes data changes as better questions are asked and answered. Good leaders ensure that they are as well-informed as possible, take steps critical to ensuring safety and solvency, and then as hard as it is, they wait … monitoring the situation to determine the right next step. This seems logical, right? Yet I am seeing responses to the pandemic similar to those I saw in the wake of 9/11. While much changed after 9/11, over time much stayed the same. Many reacted too soon, and as a result made decisions that seemed sound at the time, but in reflection were made without sufficient information.

I discussed this perspective with our leadership team just last week. We responded rapidly to the pandemic, to ensure business continuity and safety. We continued to monitor the information coming from a collection of reliable sources, we communicated regularly with board, staff and stakeholders …and we waited. There are several decisions that I have not made–specifically around mandatory vaccinations and remote work—because the time is just not right. We need more data. It has been interesting to watch how some large companies said that they were moving to a remote work model, only to change their position. Others have said that they were giving up their leases and downsizing their office space, only to change their mind as trends started to shift and more information was available.

Let me be clear—I am not saying do not prepare. I am not suggesting that we simply do nothing. I am suggesting that we delay action while preparing for just about everything. Preparation requires knowledge and scenario-based planning. Using the time to enact “what-if?” scenarios demonstrates the power of patience and observation.

And then, when we do act, our actions should be exceptionally well planned and well-executed. Do the simple things brilliantly—better than most. This kind of smart, “wait and see” leadership will generate confidence throughout the organization and with key stakeholders.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

17 mayo 2021

Esperar y Ver… ¿Una Buena Estrategia de Liderazgo o No?

La idea de esperar y ver es considerada por algunos como un enfoque pasivo del liderazgo. Según un artículo reciente en “Entreprenuer.com”, “el estilo reactivo de liderazgo, caracterizado por una actitud de ‘esperemos y veamos’ y una toma de decisiones postergada, rara vez es eficaz. “

La mayoría de las veces podría decir lo mismo. Pero a lo largo de los años, he llegado a ver la sabiduría en ciertas circunstancias de … el esperar. Eso puede sonar contradictorio para aquellos que leen regularmente mi “blog”. Tú sabes que soy una firme defensora del liderazgo proactivo, de entender el entorno en el que operamos y posicionar a nuestra organización para estar preparada e incluso ponerla por delante de las tendencias del mercado. Dicho esto, cuando las circunstancias no tienen precedentes—como el “9/11” y la pandemia—el instinto de actuar puede ser exactamente la cosa incorrecta por hacer.

Toma tiempo seguir los eventos cambiantes mundialmente; para comprender el mejor curso de acción – o reacción. Se necesita tiempo para entender lo que los datos están diciéndonos. A veces los datos cambian, a medida que se hacen y se responden mejores preguntas. Los buenos líderes se aseguran de que también estén bien informados tanto como sea posible, tomen medidas críticas para garantizar la seguridad y la solvencia, y luego, por más difícil que sea, esperar… monitoreando la situación para determinar el siguiente paso correcto. Esto parece lógico, ¿verdad?. Sin embargo, estoy viendo respuestas a la pandemia similares a las que vi a raíz del “9/11”. Aunque mucho cambió después del “9/11”; con el tiempo mucho se mantuvo como antes. Muchos reaccionaron demasiado pronto, y como resultado tomaron decisiones que parecían sólidas en ese momento, pero reflexionando; se tomaron sin suficiente información.

Hablé de esta perspectiva con nuestro equipo de liderazgo justamente la semana pasada. Respondimos rápidamente a la pandemia; para garantizar la continuidad de la organización y la seguridad. Continuamos monitoreando la información procedente de una lista de fuentes confiables; nos comunicamos regularmente tanto con la mesa directiva, como con el personal y las partes interesadas … y esperábamos. Hay varias decisiones que no he tomado; específicamente en torno a las vacunas obligatorias y el trabajo a larga distancia; porque el tiempo simplemente no es el adecuado. Necesitamos más datos. Ha sido interesante ver cómo algunas grandes compañías; dijeron que estaban moviéndose a un modelo de trabajo de larga distancia, justo para cambiar su posición. Otras habían dicho que estaban cediendo sus contratos de arrendamiento y reduciendo el espacio de sus oficinas, sólo para cambiar de opinión, a medida que las tendencias comenzaron a cambiar y más información estaba disponible.

Permítanme ser clara— No estoy diciendo que no se preparen. No estoy sugiriendo que simplemente no hagamos nada. Lo que estoy sugiriendo, es que retrasemos la acción, mientras nos preparamos para casi todo. La preparación requiere conocimientos y planificación, basada en escenarios. El uso del tiempo para promulgar el escenario “¿y sí?”; demuestra el poder de la paciencia y la observación.

Y luego, cuando actuamos, nuestras acciones deben ser excepcionales, así como bien planificadas y bien ejecutadas. Hacer las cosas simples brillantemente, mejor que la mayoría. Este tipo de liderazgo inteligente, “esperar y ver”, generará confianza en toda la organización, así como con las partes interesadas cruciales.

Are You Paying Attention to Organizational Health?

Are You Paying Attention to Organizational Health?

May 10, 2021

Peter Drucker famously said, “What gets measured gets managed.” It is not difficult to imagine the converse, when something goes unmeasured, it is vulnerable to being unmanaged.

The challenge is in measuring the right things—data that really tells you about the corporate health and performance of your organization.
In a recent article in the McKinsey Quarterly on successful organizations, the authors stressed that outperforming companies set clear, measurable organizational-health targets in conjunction with their financial objectives. This concept of organizational health targets is worthy of taking the time to dissect. It includes dimensions such as leadership, accountability, innovation and learning.

An organization’s health—its ability to align around and achieve strategic goals—is critical for long-term performance. However, many leaders struggle to find a clear way to measure and improve it. They focus solely on financial performance. And yet, according to McKinsey, which has been monitoring the health of well over a thousand companies for more than 15 years, companies that are healthy (as measured by a diverse set of benchmarks) consistently outperform their peers.

The following reflect McKinsey’s suggestions for how to “jump start” measurement of organizational health:

Measure results and then measure them again, and again.

Investment in organizational health, when tied to strong financial performance, leads directly to long term sustainability.

10 mayo 2021

¿Estás poniendo atención a la salud organizativa?

Peter Drucker lo dijo estupendamente: “Lo que se mide puede manejarse”. No es difícil imaginar lo contrario, cuando algo no está medido, es vulnerable a no ser manejado.

El desafío consiste en medir las cosas apropiadas; datos que realmente te hablen de la salud corporativa y del rendimiento de tu organización.

En un artículo reciente en el “McKinsey Quarterly”, acerca de organizaciones exitosas; los autores destacaron que las empresas que obtienen mejores resultados establecen objetivos organizativos y de salud, claros y medibles, junto con sus objetivos financieros. Este concepto de objetivos de salud organizativos; vale la pena de tomarse el tiempo para revisarlos minuciosamente. Estos incluyen elementos como: el liderazgo, la rendición de cuentas, la innovación y el aprendizaje.

La salud de una organización, su capacidad para alinearse en torno a y alcanzar objetivos estratégicos; esto es fundamental para el desempeño a largo plazo. Sin embargo, muchos líderes luchan por encontrar un camino claro para medirlos y mejorarlos. Ellos se centran únicamente en el rendimiento financiero. Y sin embargo según McKinsey, que ha estado monitoreando la salud de por lo menos mil empresas durante más de 15 años; las empresas que están sanas (medidas por un conjunto diverso de puntos de referencia) superan consistentemente a sus pares.

A continuación, se reflejan las sugerencias de McKinsey sobre cómo “arrancar de emergencia” la medición de la salud organizativa:

Mide los resultados y luego mide nuevamente, y de nuevo otra vez.
La inversión en salud organizativa cuando está ligada a un sólido desempeño financiero, te lleva directamente a la sostenibilidad a largo plazo.

Hiring Top-Tier Talent: Not as Easy as it Sounds

Hiring Top-Tier Talent: Not as Easy as it Sounds

May 3, 2021

Even in today’s labor market, where thousands of talented individuals lost their jobs due to the pandemic, finding top-tier talent is not easy. The talent is out there, but I am not sure we always know how to spot it when we see it. Determining if the prospective employee has the right talent, and if they know how to use that talent in the right way, is an art form.

Here are some of my top considerations when interviewing for an executive level position.

First and foremost, are they critical thinkers? This is difficult to assess. Certainly, you can explore scenarios and listen to responses. You can ask questions and see how they organize their thoughts and what they think is important. But the ability to critically think as part of day-to-day problem solving is challenging to see in the interview process. Prior to the pandemic we used to hold Corporate Weeks, where agency leadership would come to New York City for a week. We would discuss the health of the corporation, conduct strategy sessions, review financial projections, discuss organizational risks, explore market trends, share new aspects of infrastructure including large-scale software implementations, and more. When looking for top-tier executive talent, I would always invite potential executive candidates to these sessions and listen carefully to their observations and most importantly, to the questions they would pose following the sessions. Corporate Weeks have turned into weekly Zoom sessions as a result of the pandemic. While not quite as effective, I still invite candidates to listen in on these Zoom sessions. I listen for innovative and smart questions, observations that zero in on some of our organizational strengths and weaknesses, ideas that are in line with our strategic direction, or perspectives that reflect insight and intuition. I listen for whether or not the candidate listens to talk, or listens to understand. To be able to critically think within high-pressure situations is one of the characteristics that make good leaders great.

Next, I want to know if they understand the concept of building structure. If when I start to discuss this in the interview, they talk about an org chart (and this happens often), I find a way to end the interview. From my experience, the ability to comprehend and then operationalize a clear and precise structure that depicts how the end-to-end work gets done, is missing in many people who describe themselves as leaders. And in the absence of structure, good people fail. I see it over and over again. Staff want to do a good job, but when they do not have a clear structure in which to do their work, mistakes are made, and things get missed—often. During the interview process I ask about structures the candidate has built and how they went about the process. I listen to see if the individual was clear about what the structure was driving towards, the goals the structure was intended to advance, the ways they measured the efficacy of their structure.

Additionally, I want to get a clear sense of whether or not the candidate is a team player. It is amazing how many talented, successful people do not play well with others. That said, I have worked with very successful people who work best independently—and who do not thrive in a team environment. I can manage that. But if this characteristic is present in too many on the executive team, serious systemic challenges will arise.

Lastly, and this may seem obvious, I pay attention to whether or not I like them. Members of an executive team spend a lot of time together. They need to think together, they need to challenge each other and they need to produce. This can be excruciating if a member of the team simply does not click with others. It is tricky to know what makes people work effectively together. Often it comprises intangibles—but they matter. If you find yourself eager for the interview to be over and getting annoyed frequently throughout the conversation, save yourself future problems, and let this candidate pass.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

 

Are You Cultivating a Leverageable Network?

Are You Cultivating a Leverageable Network?

April 26, 2021

Over the past several months the leaders of The Fedcap Group have been discussing the importance of building, cultivating and ultimately leveraging business relationships.

In a 2013 article in The Huffington Post, Porter Gale, author of the bestselling book, Your Network Is Your Net Worth: Unlock the Hidden Power of Connections for Wealth, Success, and Happiness in the Digital Age wrote, “I believe your social capital, or your ability to build a network of authentic personal and professional relationships, not your financial capital, is the most important asset in your portfolio.” Recently Harvard Business Review (HBR) Management Tip of the Day echoed that same sentiment, suggesting that many times individuals focus so much time on building skills that they fail to build the critical relationships demanded in today’s environment—and don’t realize it until they experience the repercussions. In a 2014 study conducted by HBR, it was discovered that among the 165 lawyers at a large North American law firm, those who networked effectively were the most successful, better able to bring business into the firm and ultimately achieve partnership status.

As important as networks are to an individual’s professional growth, they are equally important to business growth. Business networking is the process of establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with other people also in your business. Shared knowledge, opportunities and a raised profile all result from effective networking.

A valuable network helps us understand where our organization fits strategically in the wider business environment and provides opportunities to tap into new business—often sooner than the rest of our competitors. Leveraging a network is how work gets done in the interconnected environment in which we compete. Networking provides you with connections and opens the door to influential people that can be a boon for business and help shape new business.

Effective networks are based on trust. A 2018 article in Entrepreneur stressed that leaders prefer to become intermingled in important transactions with people they trust. Relationships establish and fortify that trust. Networking can help to build your businesses reputation as a knowledgeable and reliable partner. When referred to a potential new business opportunity by a trusted colleague, both you and the potential partner build the relationship on a foundation of trust. The good news is that digital platforms and social media networks make it easier than ever to develop and stay connected to a global network of colleagues.

A professional network is built with intentionality and requires an investment of time to cultivate and sustain. In my experience, it is worth the investment.

Areas Where Not-for Profit Companies Need to Mirror For-Profit Business Practices

Areas Where Not-for Profit Companies Need to Mirror For-Profit Business Practices

April 19, 2021

All corporations, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, need to be viewed as solving problems and creating value. Both the for-profit investor and the not-for-profit donor are looking for the same thing … measurable, positive impact.

To achieve the greatest impact, businesses must invest in their companies. Today I want to highlight some of the critical areas of investment where we in the not-for-profit sector can improve.

INVESTMENT IN TALENT
As in any business, there is competition for top talent. Effectively competing requires having an inclusive and diverse workforce, an engaging company culture, a generous benefit package, and competitive salaries. It also requires having top-rate onboarding and professional development processes that allow for career ladders within the organization. Investment in talent is expensive—and while the nonprofit may not be able to compete with Fortune 500 companies in terms of salary and benefits (although in many instances the difference in line level staff positions is negligible), it can offer the authentic experience of changing lives. It is the job of the not-for-profit to make the business case to potential employees, on why working within an organizational culture committed to making an impact is worth the possible pay and benefit difference.

INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY
Financial: Companies must efficiently monitor and control revenue and expenses, manage cash flow, drive AR/AP and ensure resources to allow us to invest strategically in new business. This requires an investment in technology. An effective financial management system improves short- and long-term business performance.

Client Management: Sustaining corporate health over time requires understanding “product” impact. In the for-profit sector it might be improving the volume of grain produced or a reduction in bug infestation, in the nonprofit sector it might be the success in helping people obtain and retain jobs. Regardless, we need to be able to demonstrate that what we do works. Technology is critical to outcomes/impact tracking. In today’s environment, anecdotes are an insufficient approach to convincing an individual or company to invest in the business.

Business Development: Because of the increased cost of labor, insurance, benefits, space— if businesses are not growing, they are shrinking. Both for-profit and not-for-profit companies must invest in technology to support new business development. Being able to predict win rates allows for accurate short- and long-term planning.

INVESTMENT IN MARKETING
Marketing requires a growth strategy and the ability to “tell the business story” in a compelling way. Brand recognition is an imperative. Marketing fulfills five key functions: 1) enabling a business to successfully educate customers, 2) keeping customers engaged, 3) creating a strong reputation in the minds of current and potential customers and 4) providing a way to smartly sell goods and services and 5) growing business. For a variety of reasons, the not-for-profit sector has been reluctant to develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies. To sustain long term corporate health, this needs to change.

TRANSPARENCY WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND DONORS
For both for-profits and not-for-profits, most investors want to “see” into the company. They want to understand high-level business decisions and they do not want to be surprised. Transparency builds trust. It eliminates any suspicions or anxieties stakeholders might have about the company. By laying out the realities faced, and discussing approaches to problem resolution, a business demonstrates that it is not trying to hide issues or challenges. Many for-profit businesses release financial performance and operational trends on a bi-annual or quarterly basis. This is not a standard practice for not-for-profit companies—but it should be.

Note: In 2015 The Fedcap Group initiated bi-annual Financial and Operation Releases –ensuring that our funders, donors and key stakeholders have timely and comprehensive information about our status. Our next release is May 11th at 11:00 am ET. Please click here to register. 

As always, I look forward to your comments.

19 abril 2021

Áreas en las Que las Organizaciones Sin Fines de Lucro, Necesitan Reflejar las Prácticas de Negocios con Fines de Lucro

Todas las corporaciones, ya sean con fines o sin fines de lucro, deben ser vistas como resolviendo problemas y creando valor. Tanto el inversionista con fines de lucro como el donador a sin fines de lucro están buscando lo mismo …un impacto medible y positivo.

Para lograr el mayor impacto, los negocios deben invertir en sus empresas. Hoy quiero destacar algunas de las áreas críticas de inversión en las que nosotros; en el sector sin fines de lucro, podemos mejorar.

INVERSIÓN EN TALENTO
Como en cualquier negocio, hay competencia por los mejores talentos. Competir eficazmente; requiere tener una fuerza de trabajo inclusiva y diversa, una cultura de empresa atractiva, un generoso paquete de beneficios, así como salarios competitivos. También requiere tener procesos de incorporación y desarrollo profesional de primera clase que permitan ascensos profesionales dentro de la organización. La inversión en talento es costosa, y aunque la organización sin fines de lucro pueda no ser capaz de competir con las empresas “Fortune 500”, en términos de salario y beneficios (aunque en muchos casos la diferencia en los puestos de personal de nivel de orden es insignificante), puede ofrecer la experiencia auténtica de cambiar vidas. Es el trabajo de las sin fines de lucro de presentar el caso de negocios a los empleados potenciales; sobre el por qué, trabajar dentro de una cultura organizacional comprometida haciendo impacto, vale la pena; la posible diferencia salarial y de beneficios.

INVERSIÓN EN TECNOLOGÍA
Financiero: Las empresas deben monitorear y controlar eficientemente los ingresos y gastos; administrar el flujo de caja, así como tanto las cuentas por cobrar y por pagar, y garantizar recursos que nos permitan invertir estratégicamente en nuevos negocios. Esto requiere una inversión en tecnología. Un sistema de gestión financiera eficaz mejora el rendimiento empresarial a corto y largo plazo.

Manejo de Clientes: Mantener la salud corporativa a lo largo del tiempo, requiere entender el impacto del “producto”. En el sector con fines de lucro, podría ser en mejor el volumen de granos producidos o una reducción de plagas de insectos; en el sector sin fines de lucro podría ser; en el éxito en ayudar a las personas a obtener y retener puestos de trabajo. A pesar de todo, tenemos que ser capaces de demostrar que lo que hacemos funciona. La tecnología es fundamental para el seguimiento tanto de resultados como de impactos. En el entorno actual; las anécdotas son un enfoque insuficiente para convencer a un individuo o empresa, para que invierta en el negocio.

Desarrollo de Negocios: debido al aumento tanto del costo de la mano de obra como de seguros, de beneficios, de espacio; si las empresas no están creciendo, entonces se están reduciendo. Tanto las empresas con fines, como las sin fines de lucro deben invertir en tecnología para apoyar el desarrollo de nuevos negocios. Ser capaz de predecir las tasas de ganancias permite una planificación certera a corto y largo plazo.

INVERSIÓN EN MERCADEO
El mercadeo requiere una estrategia de crecimiento y la capacidad de “contar la historia del negocio” de una manera convincente. El reconocimiento de marca es un imperativo. El mercadeo cumple cinco funciones claves: 1) da a las empresas el poder de convencer con éxito a los consumidores, 2) mantenerlos comprometidos, 3) creando una fuerte reputación en la mente de los clientes actuales y potenciales y 4) ofrecer una manera de vender inteligentemente buenos productos y servicios y 5) hacer crecer el negocio. Por diversas razones, el sector sin fines de lucro se ha mostrado reacio a desarrollar e implementar estrategias de mercadeo integrales. Para mantener la salud corporativa a largo plazo, esto necesita cambiar.

TRANSPARENCIA CON LOS ACCIONISTAS Y LOS DONANTES
Tanto para las empresas con fines, como para las sin fines de lucro; la mayoría de los inversionistas quieren “ver” adentro de la compañía. Quieren entender las decisiones empresariales de alto nivel y no quieren sorprenderse. La transparencia genera confianza. Elimina las sospechas o ansiedades que los accionistas puedan tener sobre la empresa. Al exponer las realidades a las que se enfrenta y discutir enfoques para la resolución de problemas, una empresa demuestra que no está tratando de ocultar problemas o desafíos. Muchas empresas con fines de lucro liberan el rendimiento financiero y las tendencias operativas de forma semestral o trimestralmente. Esta no es una práctica estándar para las organizaciones sin fines de lucro, pero debería serlo.

Nota: En 2015 el Fedcap Group inició lanzamientos financieros y operativos semestralmente, asegurando que nuestros financiadores, donantes y partes interesadas clave, tengan información oportuna e integral sobre nuestro estado. Nuestro próximo lanzamiento es el 11 de mayo a las 11:00 am (tiempo del este). Haz clic aquí para registrarte.

Joining Forces to Create a Trained Technologically Savvy Workforce

Joining Forces to Create a Trained Technologically Savvy Workforce

Jonathan is a welding student at Apex Technical School and looking forward to the next chapter in his life.

April 12, 2021

iWork!™ —discussed in last week’s blog—will shine a spotlight on the experiences of individuals who have secured employment, or are on the path to get there, to emphasize the importance of a good job and investing in workforce readiness.

The Department of Labor reports that there are close to 10MM people out of work in the United States. And if we add to that the number of people who are under-employed, the employment situation for millions more is dire.

At the same time, the war for high-tech talent is fierce. According to the Wall Street Journal, IT hiring challenges are one of the biggest, and most quickly accelerating, industry trends. In fact, the 2019 State of the CIO survey found that 49 percent of CIOs expect to experience IT skills shortages in the next 12 months.

A recent study by Burning Glass Technologies states that more than 8 in 10 middle-skill jobs (82 percent) require digital skills. “Digitally intensive middle-skill jobs pay on average $20 per hour; those with advanced digital skills such as IT networking or CRM software can command salaries at or above $28/hour, which places them in the top quartile of all earners. Digital skills provide a career pathway into middle- and high-skill jobs. Allowing employees more opportunity to build their career path towards their goal position and salary.”

The time is ripe for a combined governmental, philanthropic, nonprofit and business focus on developing a skilled workforce able to compete in the evolving and growing digital/technological terrain.

Integrated investments from these four sectors and an aligned focus on rebuilding the workforce across the country would result in a deep bench of workers with technological skills. Such investments would fuel our economy and change the trajectory of individuals and families for generations to come. Consider just a few industries that require technological training.

Automotive: Throughout history, the car industry has always been of the most receptive industries to emerging technologies. Since the beginning of the 20th Century, technology has redefined the way cars are manufactured, operated and maintained. Technology has already redefined the way cars use fuel, with electric, hybrid and solar energy systems beginning to displace the internal combustion engine and gas-fed engines as the driving force of the future.

Construction: Every year construction projects become more complicated, and skilled workers become harder to find. In response, the most effective developers are turning to technology to help bring projects to life on time and on budget.

Agriculture: The agriculture industry has radically transformed over the past 50 years. Advances in machinery have expanded the scale, speed, and productivity of farm equipment, leading to more efficient cultivation of land. Seed, irrigation, and fertilizers also have vastly improved, helping farmers increase yields. Now, agriculture is in the early days of yet another revolution, at the heart of which lie data and connectivity. Artificial intelligence, analytics, connected sensors, and other emerging technologies are further increasing yields, improving the efficiency of water and other inputs, and building sustainability and resilience across crop cultivation.

Energy: As a result of technological advances in renewable electricity, wind and solar are becoming economically competitive. As such, this is an emerging employment market that requires technological skill and training.

By joining efforts and focusing on those industries that are becoming increasingly technologically dependent while struggling with a dearth of trained candidates, government, philanthropy, nonprofits and business have the ability to turn the impact of the pandemic around, shore up our struggling economy and prepare us to respond to the rapidly evolving digital marketplace.

The Fedcap Group is working hard to be part of the solution. Our recent acquisitions of Civic Hall and Apex Technical School allow us to provide the opportunity for individuals to obtain well-paying technology jobs at our Digital Skills Training Center planned to open in 2021.

12 abril 2021

Uniendo Fuerzas para Crear una Mano de Obra Entrenada Tecnológicamente Inteligente

¡iWork! ™, tratado en el “blog” de la semana pasada; pondrá el énfasis en las experiencias de las personas que se han asegurado un empleo, o están en el camino de llegar allí; enfatizando la importancia de un buen trabajo e inversión en la preparación de la fuerza laboral.

El Departamento de Labor declara que hay cerca de 10 millones de personas en el paro, en los Estados Unidos. Y si a eso le sumamos el número de personas subempleadas; la situación laboral de millones más es grave.

Al mismo tiempo, la lucha por el talento de alta tecnología es feroz. Según el Wall Street Journal, los desafíos de contratación tecnológica son uno de los mayores, más desafiantes y acelerados en la industria. De hecho, la encuesta del Director de Información Estatal de 2019 encontró que el 49 por ciento de los Directores de Información; esperan experimentar escasez de habilidades tecnológicas en los próximos 12 meses.

Un estudio reciente de Burning Glass Technologies afirma que más de 8 de cada 10 trabajos de habilidades medias (el 82 por ciento) requieren capacidades digitales. “Los trabajos de capacidades medias intensivas digitalmente pagan en promedio $20 por hora; aquellos con habilidades digitales avanzadas en redes de tecnología o “software CRM”, pueden obtener salarios de o por encima de $28 la hora; lo que los coloca en la cuarta parte más alta, de todos los asalariados. Las habilidades digitales proporcionan un camino profesional hacia trabajos de capacidades medias y altas. Permitiéndoles a los empleados más oportunidades de construir su camino profesional, hacia su meta tanto de posición de trabajo como de salario. “

Ha llegado el momento de un enfoque combinado tanto gubernamental, como filantrópico, con las sin fines de lucro y empresarial en el desarrollo de una mano de obra calificada, capaz de competir en el cambiante y creciente terreno, tanto digital como tecnológico.

Las inversiones incorporadas de estos cuatro sectores y un enfoque alineado en la reconstrucción de la fuerza de trabajo en todo el país darían lugar a una plataforma profunda de trabajadores con habilidades tecnológicas. Tales inversiones alimentan nuestra economía y cambian la trayectoria de individuos y familias para las generaciones venideras. Consideremos sólo algunas industrias que requieren capacitación echnológica.

Automovilística: A lo largo de la historia, la industria automovilística siempre ha sido de las industrias más receptivas a las tecnologías emergentes. Desde principios del Siglo 20; la tecnología ha redefinido la forma en que los automóviles son fabricados, operados y mantenidos. La tecnología ya ha redefinido la forma en que los automóviles utilizan el combustible; tanto con sistemas eléctricos como híbridos y de energía solar, que comienzan a desplazar el motor de gasolina y los motores alimentados por gas; como los motores del futuro.

Construcción: Cada año los proyectos de construcción se vuelven más complicados, y los trabajadores calificados se vuelven más difíciles de encontrar. En respuesta, las constructoras más eficaces están recurriendo a la tecnología para ayudar a dar vida a proyectos, a tiempo y dentro del presupuesto.

Agricultura: La industria agrícola se ha transformado radicalmente en los últimos 50 años. Los avances en la maquinaria han ampliado la escala, la velocidad y la productividad de los equipos agrícolas; lo que ha llevado a un cultivo más eficiente de la tierra. Las semillas, el riego y los fertilizantes también han mejorado enormemente; ayudando a los agricultores a aumentar los rendimientos. Ahora, la agricultura está en los primeros días de otra revolución, en cuyo corazón se encuentran los datos y la conectividad. La inteligencia artificial, el análisis, los sensores conectados y otras tecnologías emergentes aumentan aún más los rendimientos, improvisan la eficiencia del agua y otros insumos, y crean sostenibilidad y resistencia en todo el cultivo.

Energía: Como resultado de los avances tecnológicos tanto en electricidad renovable, como energía eólica y solar, éstas se están volviendo económicamente competitivas. Como tal, se trata de un mercado de trabajo emergente que requiere habilidad tecnológica y capacitación.

Al unir esfuerzos y centrarse en aquellas industrias que se están volviendo cada vez más dependientes tecnológicamente; mientras luchan con una escasez de candidatos capacitados en el gobierno, la filantropía, las organizaciones sin fines de lucro y las industrias; éstas tienen la capacidad de cambiar el impacto de la pandemia, apuntalar nuestra economía en dificultades y prepararnos para responder al mercado digital, en rápida evolución.

The Fedcap Group está trabajando duro para ser parte de la solución. Nuestras recientes adquisiciones de Civic Hall y Apex Technical School nos permitirán brindar a las personas, la oportunidad de obtener trabajos tecnológicos bien pagados en nuestro Centro de Capacitación de Habilidades Digitales; planeados para abrir en 2021.