COMMON THREADS

Process AND flexibility

We employ a proven, highly structured process that we flexibly customize to the unique circumstances of each client.

Sleeves up!

Our approach is hands-on/“sleeves rolled up”—on-site in our client community and remote (virtual, etc.). Operating essentially as “primary staff,” we manage and physically execute the various tasks of the total project, except for a select few tasks that are best accomplished by volunteer leaders and staff based on their relationships and community knowledge.

Rigorous approach

In all steps of our total process, our style is both facilitative AND prescriptive. Especially in regard to our client’s plan to-be-funded, we facilitate discussions, ask probing questions, drive critical thinking, and encourage thorough analysis—all to ensure that we pull the best input out of our client staff and volunteer leaders so that the final plan to-be-funded is a clear expression of their collective intent. We also incorporate our experience with non-profits of all types and include specific strategies, accountability measures, and other content needed to create a dynamic actionable plan.

Why the emphasis on a rigorous review of our client’s plan to-be-funded? In short, it’s better to sweat in practice and WIN the game than coast through practice and lose. Having engaged in discussion with thousands of business and public sector leaders over the years, we can readily anticipate the kinds of “pushback” we will hear if our client’s plan to-be-funded is lacking (in specificity, outcomes, problem-solution alignment, and more). So, we go the ”extra mile” with our clients to make sure their plan-to-be-funded is ready for PRIME TIME!

MULTI-YEAR STRATEGIC INITIATIVE DEVELOPMENT

We help you identify key challenges and opportunities in front of your community and develop a tightly responsive, actionable, multi-year plan that prospective “investors” will find compelling.

We provide some level of plan and message refinement support to every client.

In situations where we begin work with a client that has a recently developed, well-conceived plan to-be-funded, we tend to provide light positioning/marketing-type support to ensure the plan resonates with prospective funders.

In situations where our client has a good/strong initial idea but very little “on paper,” we commonly present our view of the various plan development service offerings in the market. If the client requests that POWER 10 provide direct assistance with plan development, we are happy to do so and have substantial on-point experience. As with our feasibility study and campaign management services, we have a well-developed strategic planning process that we customize for use with each client.

For chambers of commerce, in particular:
We have many chamber clients for whom we facilitated development of their multiyear strategic initiative (plan). The following are core features of these initiatives; there is much more to be said on the subject, and we welcome that conversation.

A strategic initiative:

• Is a strategic plan/program of work that addresses critical community challenges/opportunities
• Includes 3-4 “big block” strategies / programmatic goals with measurable outcomes (traditional: jobs, capital investment, etc.) and clear ROI
• Identifies a specific timeframe to accomplish results; cyclical (3, 4, or 5 years)
• Engages the community “A Team”—business/educ/gov leaders—to provide input

PRE-CAMPAIGN FUNDING FEASIBILITY STUDIES

We deploy market-leading skill and experience in managing for your organization this critical pre-campaign “look before you leap” due diligence effort.

Prepare the “Case for Support”

The POWER 10 team will work with staff and selected volunteer leaders to create a “Case for Support” document that succinctly captures the multi-year initiative/plan to be funded and makes a persuasive case for funding. This document should be concise/compelling/professional, but it should not appear to be a “final final.” It is important to make clear to Feasibility Study interviewees that the program is in “draft” and their input will be considered in developing the final plan. We will also produce a variety of other documents necessary to conduct a successful Study: Interviewee Questionnaire, Pledge Table, “Pave the Way” Cover Letter, etc.

IDENTIFY TOP STAKEHOLDERS (PROSPECTIVE FUNDERS AND INFLUENCERS)

We will facilitate meetings with staff and volunteer leaders to identify top stakeholders / the “community of interest” surrounding the project and prioritize the businesses, foundations, individuals/families, and other organizations with the financial capacity and likely interest to positively influence a campaign.

CONDUCT CONFIDENTIAL ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS

Our professional staff will conduct one-on-one, confidential interviews with top stakeholders. During these interviews, we will gather input on: the need for the plan, the plan itself, financial goal feasibility, best funding prospects, best leader prospects, most compelling message, etc. Importantly, we will seek to engage and cultivate the interviewees with an eye toward facilitating a future successful campaign solicitation.

Produce Findings & Recommendations Report

We will produce a detailed Findings and Recommendations Report in which we (1) aggregate the interviewees’ input and include qualitative and quantitative data; and (2) analyze the input and provide specific recommendations regarding program/plan refinement (if any) and campaign strategy (including campaign goal and duration recommendations).