Read the menu. It’s for a restaurant called El Bistró Argentino (The Argentinian Bistro). Do you believe that French food is their specialty? Do they believe it? Peanut butter and banana toast? And with Wonder® Bread, no less? And did you notice the prices? Let me ask you: if you wanted a French, Italian, or Chinese dinner, or a greasy spoon breakfast, might you … [Read more...] about Why Successful Nonprofit Arts Organizations Are More Like Restaurants Than You Think
Executive Director
What’s the Difference Between Stocking a Buffet and Feeding Hungry People?
Thanksgiving’s coming (here in the US, that is. It already happened in Canada because they’re way ahead of us on so many things, like universal healthcare, eh?). It’s on the 24th of the month. As a typical American, you will spend the week cooking up a storm. Well, not so much a storm as a typhoon. Generally, you’ll roast a turkey, make an accompanying gravy, and fix your … [Read more...] about What’s the Difference Between Stocking a Buffet and Feeding Hungry People?
Stop Playing Ping-Pong With Your Employees as the Ball
Ping: According to a survey by Willis Towers Watson, 17% of US companies currently provide pay range details in job listings. Pong: According to that same survey, 62% of companies are either considering or planning to do so, which led to the Bloomberg headline for the article: “Most US Companies Are Willing to List Salaries in Job Descriptions.” Ping: Of that 62%, only … [Read more...] about Stop Playing Ping-Pong With Your Employees as the Ball
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Just Because Something Is Absurd Doesn’t Make It Offensive, Does It?
The La Brea Tar Pits translates to “The The Tar Tar Pits.” The Los Angeles Angels translates to “The The Angels Angels.” Both of these items are well-known jokes to most Angelenos. But are they racially insensitive, somehow? Should someone who says these things out loud be pilloried for allegedly making fun of (and therefore, disrespecting) the Latinx culture…when they’re … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Just Because Something Is Absurd Doesn’t Make It Offensive, Does It?
What’s The Worst That Could Happen to Your Nonprofit Arts Organization? What’s the Best?
In the day-to-day panic that engulfs the average nonprofit arts organization leader, especially those in the United States, sometimes the goal is to make it to tomorrow. That’s a fine goal for a person in panic, but is it the right goal for the whole organization? Let’s look at it another way, from a completely different issue. Suppose you have a child. We’ll call him … [Read more...] about What’s The Worst That Could Happen to Your Nonprofit Arts Organization? What’s the Best?