How to Organize Successful Groups

How to Organize Successful Groups

Jamie Schumacher Summit No. 13!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

STUFF & THINGS (that I do)


But tonight...13 things to keep in mind when organizing your project or group.

...plus questions!


No. 1 - Know what it is you’re doing. What’s your idea?

You don’t need all the answers yet - but summarize what you’re looking for.

Oh - and know how to respond to: “Who cares?” “So what?” & “Why?”(because inevitably, somebody along the way may try to discourage you.)


No. 2 - Know what your goals are.(this is different than knowing what you are doing.)

Figure out how you will define success.- Making money?- Completing a project? - Having a lovely chat?

Image courtesy of Lupi


No. 3 - Know what you’re working with.Conduct a “resources inventory.”

- What do we need to accomplish our goals?- Who is at the table?- What do they bring? (Money? Skills? Time? Amusing anecdotes?)

Image shamelessly taken from google images


No. 4 - Set milestonesParticularly important if you’re working with event-like projects.

- When will you be doing what?- How much time do you and your cohorts have to commit?- Who will be the TASKMASTER?

Work your way backwards.

crappy clip-art courtesy of no one.


No. 5 - Establish roles(Doesn’t somebody want to be wanted?)

- Roles help people know what they are doing.- It also helps them get engaged.- It also helps with accountability and success.

Who will keep the project going? (probably you- but with help!!!)

kinda like this. (kinda.)


No. 6 - Know your strengthsAre you really organized?Can you build websites?Is somebody on your group a great marketer?...a great writer?

Knowing the strengths is an extension of your resources inventory. It allows you to...


No. 7 - Address your weaknessesAre you exceptionally un-organized? Horrible with dates and numbers?

While it’s good to get better and better, it’s unrealistic to expect yourself to be good at EVERYTHING. Focus on your strengths. Bring people on board to round out your team and address any gaps (before they become a problem.)


No. 8 - Have productive meetingsYour time is valuable (and so is everybody else’s. Probably.)

Have an agenda - and stick to it. Create a list of action items.Take good notes. (and assign people to them)Facilitation is key. Choose a good spot.

(8 tips for effective and engaging meetings: www.strongboards.org/?p=64)


No. 9 - Get comfortable with numbersBudgets and spreadsheets and expenses OH MY!

The bigger your project gets, the more important this becomes.(and if you are comfortable with numbers, that makes cents!)

permits grants book sales sales taxlicensing sponsor funds donations ...future planning

Will somebody get this for me for my b-day?


No. 10 - Shareawwwwww.

But seriously - share. - Responsibility - with others in your group.- Information - with those that need access to it. (wikis, etc)- Words - with those that have alternative ways they like to communicate.- When you’re done, pay it forward - with people that want to try something too.


No. 11 - Brand yourself.Because it’s not always who did it first that gets credit, it’s who did it better.

Branding helps with:- professionalism- building a creative identity- loyalty


No. 12 - Never stop improving.b/c unless you’re Barney Stinson, there are always ways to be more awesome.

At the end of each project, I hold a discussion with the group,- what worked?- what didn’t?- notes and things to remember for next time.


No. 13 - Ask questions.Somebody before you has probably done something like this before.

Learn from their mistakes.

On that note....

any questions?


(Find J-me)@purenoumena

jamie-schumacher.compurenoumena.org


Self Improvement

How to Organize Successful Groups