This document summarizes key skills and trends in the evolving nonprofit technology sector. It discusses how nonprofits are shifting to more "digital first" approaches and becoming "product owners" that develop strategies around existing third-party technologies. It also notes how "little tech" like personal productivity tools are making big impacts, and how "technical skills" are focusing more on processes than specific tools. The document outlines common roles in nonprofits and skills they require, such as project management, data skills, and digital marketing/communications abilities. It provides resources for continued learning and developing high-performing digital teams. The overall message is that understanding user experiences with technology enables greater impact, and strategy and process are as important as the technologies

1. CRITICAL SKILLS IN THE
EVOLVING NONPROFIT SECTOR
GETTING YOUR TECH ON

2. SETTING SOME CONTEXT
WHO IS THIS GUY?
20 YEARS WORKING AT
NONPROFITS
10 YEARS WORKING
SPECIFICALLY IN NONPROFIT
TECH
ROLES:
COMMUNICATIONS, PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT, PROJECT
MANAGEMENT, CONSULTANT
ASH SHEPHERD
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
NTEN

3. SETTING SOME CONTEXT
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED
How can I talk about the skills I already have
What skills should I be looking to grow

4. SETTING SOME CONTEXT
ROAD MAP FOR SESSION
Global Shifts
Roles & Skills
Resources
Next Steps

5. GLOBAL SHIFTS
SECTOR-WIDE PROGRESSIONS

6. GLOBAL SHIFTS
MOVING TOWARDS “DIGITAL FIRST”
Develop “The Thing”
(Program, Campaign, Content)
Figure out how technology can
be used to support it
PREVIOUS APPROACH
Develop “The Thing” around what
technology can make possible
EMERGING APPROACH
Understand the role technology
plays for users

7. GLOBAL SHIFTS
NONPROFITS BECOMING PRODUCT OWNERS
Use existing third-party
technology solutions
Develop strategies based on
third-party tech capability
PREVIOUS APPROACH
Build their own tech solutions to
support the goals
EMERGING APPROACH
Develop strategies based on
ideal for greatest impact

8. GLOBAL SHIFTS
“LITTLE TECH” MAKING FOR HUGE WINS
Technology was only thought of
in terms of major systems
The tech used “between” the
systems gets ignored
PREVIOUS APPROACH
Higher efficiency for individuals
adding up to greater wins overall
EMERGING APPROACH
Personal tech is becoming a
higher priority

9. GLOBAL SHIFTS
“TECHNICAL SKILLS” SHIFTING TOWARD IMPACT, NOT TOOLS
“Technical Skills” were only about
tools (i.e. Microsoft Word)
Employees only developed tool
specific skills
PREVIOUS APPROACH
Employees understand role of tech
and can adapt with shifting tools
EMERGING APPROACH
Skills now around process and
approaches (i.e. online fundraising)

10. ROLES & SKILLS
WHO’S COMING INTO WORK THESE DAYS

11. ROLES & SKILLS
PROGRAM STAFF
Project Management
Data: Collection & Management
Bridging Online & Offline

12. ROLES & SKILLS
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS STAFF
Advanced Social Media
> Paid Advertising
> Multi-Channel
Campaigns
Email
Visual/Graphic Design

13. ROLES & SKILLS
FUNDRAISING STAFF
Bridging Online & Offline
Community Management
Digital Storytelling (multi-channel)
Data: Collection & Management

14. ROLES & SKILLS
IT STAFF
Classic: Networks, Laptops, Servers
Developers (Coders)
Project Management
Vendor Management (Shift to Cloud)

15. ROLES & SKILLS
LEADERSHIP
Change Management
Talent Management
Cross-Team Management
Organizational Culture
>Generational Gaps
> Impact over tools

16. RESOURCES
KEEP THE LEARNING GOING

17. RESOURCES
GET A MENTOR (PERSON OR GROUP)
Gets you out of silo
Offer advice and guidance
A place to call in times of need

18. RESOURCES
2016 DIGITAL OUTLOOK REPORT
NTEN Partner Report
Current state of digital programs at nonprofits
http://www.nten.org/article/announcing-2016-digital-outlook-report/

19. RESOURCES
NONPROFIT TECH STAFFING & INVESTMENTS REPORT
NTEN Produced Report
http://www.nten.org/article/the-9th-annual-nonprofit-technology-staffing-investments-report/

20. RESOURCES
PRODUCT TEAMS ARTICLE
Salesforce Foundation Article
http://www.salesforce.org/product-teams-the-next-wave-of-digital-for-ngos/

21. RESOURCES
THE MANAGEMENT CENTER
Great Collection of Resources
http://www.managementcenter.org/

22. RESOURCES
COMMUNICOPIA
Nonprofit Digital Teams Report: Influence and Impact
https://digitalteams.org/thereport/basics/

23. RESOURCES
HOW TO BUILD A HIGH-PERFORMING DIGITAL TEAM
Harvard Business Review Article
https://hbr.org/2013/08/how-to-build-a-high-performing

24. QUESTIONS
STILL LOOKING FOR SOMETHING

25. QUESTIONS
ANY OTHER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS?
?
?
?
?

26. THE ROAD AHEAD
WHEN YOU LEAVE THIS SESSION

27. NEXT STEPS
IF YOU ONLY REMEMBER THIS
Understand experience with technology for greater impact
“Digital First” means being as agile as technology
Strategy & Process matter as much as the technology

28. NEXT STEPS
ASH SHEPHERD
ASH@NTEN.ORG
@NPTECH_ASH
THANK YOU