Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a hot topic in the field of nonprofit operations. Business systems need to run at maximum efficiency. We also need robust system integration to help nonprofit organizations to adapt to rapidly changing economic conditions (funding) and demand for services (programs and activities). However, ERP focus is too often centered on business systems by themselves when attention should be focused on mission and purpose.

Should nonprofit organizations make room for social justice, empathy, and compassion in the workplace? The answer is an absolute yes. Can financial decision-making benefit from a workplace culture that includes “social purposing”? Again, the answer is yes if you can link operational planning and allocation of financial resources with a broader set of perspectives that can surface from active “job purposing.”

There has been and will continue to be a lot of uncertainty in the world, most of which is outside of our control. For example, economic, safety, and health factors have been key sources of uncertainty recently, followed closely by people’s comfort levels, trust, and confidence. Applying a phase-in strategy when implementing new changes during periods of high uncertainty will tilt the success factors in your direction.