No matter how many bagels and coffee cups they lay out for you at the back of the room, 8 hours is a long time to watch a power point presentation about how non-profits can use technology. But I've got to say, there were some take aways that really resonated with me.
One thing in particular is helping me frame my ideas about the cornucopia of bright and shiny toys that are flooding the Internet and promise efficiency, access to information, ever-increasing access to networks and the promise of more money, more time, more impact.
But as we engage all these tools, it becomes clear that the tools may be sparkly and new, but what they really do is amplify what we already do- communicate with our constituents, supporters, decision makers, and who ever else who will listen. Even so, they come with plenty of new hassles- like tech support, fixing bugs, and repeating the same message on multiple platforms where we used to rely on just a handful. And without a clear plan, it is easy for these myriad tools to just become a giant time suck. (Hello facebook?)
Step one is a clear plan outlining what your goals, timeline, who's in charge, and what has to be done/ who has to be reached. Classic project management skills apply. But now we have more ways to reach out, and each platform has a different emphasis or user group. So our plans have to have even more layers of understanding of how various platforms and communications media intersect, reinforce, and mobilize your message. And as soon as you work that out, the scene will change, and you have to adjust for the next big thing...
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