The grass is always greener. We all wish we were something we’re not. I wish I were younger, perhaps better looking and less of a romantic, too. Mail room clerks dream of being CEO’s and CEO’s dream of working in the mail room. “We are such stuff as dreams are made on.”*
I often hear that nonprofits should act more like for-profits. It’s a perennial lament — that wish for the “discipline of the market.” And, every time I hear it, I have to stop myself from blurting out “be careful what you wish for.” That discipline is not all it’s cracked up to be.
From my perspective, usually the lament is from a techie that feels that “technology is underutilized” or “the role of technology is not properly understood” or “properly appreciated” or some such within their organization. It’s followed by the thought that if only nonprofits were more like businesses, well then, naturally, there would be more appreciation of the integral role of technology, the power of the internet, etc. It’s revolutionized business in the space of a few short years, after all. “If only”… then all would be right with the world. Continue reading Do Nonprofits Dream of Electric Sheep?
