The Number One Question At NRB?

By D. Black

At some point during the week, every convention begins to look and feel the same. Another breakfast meeting, breakout sessions, long walks between meetings and booth after booth of smiling faces, each with a one gallon fish bowl filled with various types of candy. Somewhere in the history of conventioneering someone figured out that candy was necessary to keep weary attendees blood sugar up.

This year’s NRB in Nashville, Tennessee had many the same elements but woven through the familiar, I found an unusual twist. My schedule was filled from early morning to late evening with meetings, presentations, reviews and events. That’s the plan – to take full advantage of the opportunity. You can rest when you get back home. Both on the floor and in private sessions the same basic question arose; As faith based communicators how are we going to change our methods to match the shift that is occurring in our culture?

Indeed, this is our ground zero. It is good that we are asking the question. To be completely transparent, no one has really figured it out.

Our age demands instant, relevant information that is pertinent to daily life. Gone are the days of a one-size-fits-all approach. We must get to know our constituents needs, help them in a real way and then enlist them as partners in a common cause.

If we authentically commit to this process, we will bring light into an ever darkening world.

On The Road To The NRB

By D. Black

Last week I packed my bags and traveled up I-75 from Atlanta to Nashville. I almost always choose to drive the 225 miles, because believe it or not, it is faster than flying. It is really quite a nice drive, winding through the North Georgia mountains, the Tennessee River and the city of Chattanooga, past Lookout Mountain the site of a famous Civil War battle and on up into South Nashville. My work has a presence in the “Music City” so I make the sojourn on a pretty regular basis.

This time I was driving up to attend the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) convention held at Opryland, USA. This is an annual gathering of mostly ministry broadcasters and the stations that they air along with a potpourri of vendors who sell them hardware and software. And who knows, maybe even one or two strategic consultants may show up. This convention is a good opportunity to find tactical solutions, meet new people and network with old friends and colleagues.

I’ve been attending the show since the winter of 1984. It used to be always held in Washington, DC at the Sheraton Hotel, near Capitol Hill. Those were the days of Jim and Tammy, Jimmy Swaggart and other high profile television personalities walking the floor with their entourages. There was an air of celebrity and personal power as the “superstars” traveled from book signing to media interview. It was quite interesting to watch the parade. I was a young man attending graduate school at Regent University and working as a production manager for Victor King Marketing, CBN’s inside advertising group.

Now 24 conventions later, the atmosphere has changed dramatically. Gone is most of the glitz and glamour, replaced by a more businesslike, professional atmosphere. During my walk on the convention floor, I only saw three television broadcasters -James Robison, Charles Stanley, and Jeff Shreve, none of them are pretentious.

On my way home back down I-75 to Atlanta, I thought of the difference between my first and last NRB. It is a big change, but come to think of it, our world has also changed dramatically. But the fundamental reason that thousands of faith-based communicators come together once a year remains the same – to learn to more effectively proclaim the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The need for this truth hasn’t diminished, but the methods of communicating it certainly have.

Next time: The number one question asked this year at NRB!

What Non-Profits Need To Know About Online Learning and Relationship Building

By: E. Brown

As more and more non-profits head into the world of computer based learning, training, and relationship management, they often venture into territory that is very new and very unfamiliar. Listed here are some (not all) of the potential issues non-profit organizations need to consider before forging out to build their new online initiatives.

We hope you find this article helpful.

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Is Your Content Going Global?

By E. Brown

“Going Global” can be the Midas touch or death touch of any organization. Understanding the unique aspects of language and culture is time consuming to say the least. In an effort to “get to market” quickly, many companies and non-profits overlook (and sometimes hop over) the requirements for a successful launch into other countries.

For those leveraging the Web, content is a primary source for positioning in the global market. Translating the content is a must and good translation is tantamount to establishing a successful worldwide brand.

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Online Training: Why Do Non-Profits Sit On The Fence?

By E. Brown

I have talked with numerous Not-For-Profit (NFP) organizations about online learning and knowledge management. Almost all are interested in the subjects and would like to distribute their content online for learning and training. Yet, they are all sitting on the fence when it comes to execution.I was reminded of this again while at breakfast the other day. I ran into an acquaintance who knew of a VC that wanted to invest in online learning to reach an international audience. His issues were the same. All the NFP’s he had met with were waffling when it came to “doing the deal” and taking the eLearning plunge.

Why?

Getting In The Game
I witnessed this same attitude when the Web bubble started to grow in the early 90’s. Many NFP’s watched from the sidelines. I made three observations as to why this attitude prevailed:

1. They didn’t understand the technology and were intimidated by change
2. Many were simply waiting for “critical mass” before jumping onboard
3. Most had not planned on the cost of the technology infrastructure or outsourcing

read more…

3 Top Non-Profit No No’s

By E. Brown

In our interacting with many Non-profit organizations, we have noticed certain tendencies and assumptions regarding their online brand and outreach. Here are listed the three most common issues we have observed.

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Mission, Passion, and Strategy

Every day nonprofit enterprises work to impact lives in every corner of the world. Theirs is a labor of passion – a mission that demands completion – a duty that reaches beyond the flesh and touches the spirit. But these worthy organizations are lead by regular people who are often faced with greater challenges then any profit motivated concern. Their every decision impacts the effectiveness of their mission! Each choice builds or begins to decay the opportunity for their future impact.

Sometimes leaders need outside help; solid strategic input from qualified, objective guides who, through detached observation, can help them see all the aspects of planning and its impact on their vision. Wisdom from an expert team that will collaborate to offer innovative understanding and support for leadership choices. What is needed is a source for comprehensive solutions that is offered from a 360 degree perspective; strategic vision sharing, prudent planning, and efficient implementation that offers continuous innovation and a tangible difference.

Black+White Strategy provides leaders with that solution. We are dedicated to understanding our client organization’s mission and serving it with creativity, innovation, impact, and efficiency. The team at Black+White bring more than 50 years of senior nonprofit leadership experience. They have worked with many causes that serve both the United States and the world. Black+White strengths are in the strategic disciplines that helps guide our clients towards the “true North” of their mission.

Before mission is vision – Before vision is passion
Before passion – A holy call – A divine discontent

Hello world!

Donald O. Black founded Black+White in 2007 after 23 years of senior nonprofit leadership experience. He has assembled a seasoned and talented team to serve either with in-house expertise or through a managed network of best of class experts that provide targeted services and products to our client base. As a collective force, they have worked with many causes that serve both the nation and the world.