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Making a Difference Through Entrepreneurship I’ve been a fan of the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour (EET) for the past 8 months, and I was definitely excited about its recent tour stop at George Mason University.  For those unfamiliar, EET brings America’s top young entrepreneurs to colleges, universities, business development centers,... Read More

Lifting As We Climb – A Call To Action for Generation X Managers I recently took the quiz, 'How Millennial Are You?', created by Pew Research Center as part of their February 2010 report, Millennials: Confident. Connected, Open to Change.  It was not surprising to me that as I am on the tail end of Gen X (born in 1977), I have a great deal in common with the Millennials. ... Read More

10 Most Influential Nonprofit Leaders....To Me This year I celebrate my 10th anniversary in the nonprofit sector and to honor the milestone, I want to recognize the 10 most influential Nonprofit Leaders...to me. These are people who have been instrumental to me and my professional journey as former supervisors and colleagues. As I move forward in... Read More

New Blog for New Opportunities As part of the 31 Days To A Brand New Blog, I am starting a new blog focused on sharing resources and perspectives specific to the nonprofit sector.  For the past six months I have managed Work In Progress, a hybrid blog providing information about the books to read and the people to meet which help... Read More

Making a Difference Through Entrepreneurship

Posted by : tupthegrove | On : 14-11-2010

Category : Generations In the Workplace, High Impact Nonprofits, Jobs

Tags: , ,

I’ve been a fan of the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour (EET) for the past 8 months, and I was definitely excited about its recent tour stop at George Mason University.  For those unfamiliar, EET brings America’s top young entrepreneurs to colleges, universities, business development centers, and other organizations to share their experiences and empower participants to pursue business creation as a viable career strategy.

More than a traditional conference, workshop, or seminar, the tour is a high-energy experience that challenges attendees to set actionable goals using the information and resources shared during the event.  I first learned about Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour while presenting at the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) Forum where Arel Moodie – Motivational Speaker, Author, Partner and Emcee for EET – delivered a power-packed presentation to more than 1500 workforce development professionals.  His message for the crowd was simple: we need to do more than just provide job training; we need to offer business creation training.  He also asked a question that still rings in my ears:

‘What happens if we don’t expose people to entrepreneurship?’

It was during Arel’s presentation I realized that even as a nonprofit professional, I also had a responsibility to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. This also happens to be the mission of iMADdu (pronounced ‘eye-ma-do’), the nonprofit based in Fairfax, Virginia that brought the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour to George Mason University on Thursday, November 4th. iMADdu, which stands for ‘I Make A Difference, Do You?’, is much more than just a cool acronym.  iMADdu connects college students from all majors with local entrepreneurs in an apprenticeship linking the students coursework with practical business experience. What a brilliant idea.  True, college students participate in internships all the time. What makes iMADdu’s program so unique is that it reaches out to all students and provides them with the exposure necessary to manage their own business, regardless of the career pathway they choose. The result? As future business owners, students become positioned to directly impact their local economy by creating jobs for others, and ultimately inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

As 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus puts it,  ‘…all human beings are entrepreneurs – but only some lucky ones have found out.’ iMADdu’s vision is based on the premise that everyone should be so lucky. And when combined with the energy of EET, iMADdu set its vision in motion by jump-starting the potential of many aspiring entrepreneurs during the tour event.  High school and college students alike not only listened to the experiences of successful entrepreneurs, but also shared their business ideas, connected with other aspiring business owners, and tapped into key local resources such as the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, and the Virginia Small Business Development Centers.

The audience heard from Morgan First, Co-Founder of Second Glass who challenged everyone to develop a networking strategy that helps establish connections and contacts that even outlasts the business ventures they pursue.  Speaker Jason Duff, CEO and Founder of COMSTOR Self-Storage encouraged participants to identify business opportunities that will help improve the quality of life within the communities where their businesses are located.  Panelist Tora Matsuoka, Managing Partner of Big Fish Hospitality Group reminded attendees about the importance of maintaining passion in order to reach their fullest potential. And in true EET fashion, all participants were encouraged to identify, document, and act upon the most immediate next steps in developing their business. Great job to Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour and iMADdu for the inspiration and great information you provided during the event!

If you have the opportunity to attend an EET event take advantage, even if you think you aren’t an entrepreneur.  The message will definitely bring out the entrepreneur in you or someone you know.  The EET website lists all upcoming tour dates taking place nationwide. If you are an educator, workforce development professional, nonprofit leader, or concerned citizen, consider bringing the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour to your community.  The first step is to complete the Inquiry Form also available on the EET website.   Also, check out iMADdu’s website to learn more about its Student Apprenticeship Program and consider becoming involved as a student or entrepreneur.  Applications are currently being accepted for the Spring and Summer 2011 Apprenticeship Program. No matter how you get involved, consider the role you can play in helping empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and equipping them to truly make a difference.

Lifting As We Climb – A Call To Action for Generation X Managers

Posted by : admin | On : 16-08-2010

Category : 31bnb, Generations In the Workplace

I recently took the quiz, ‘How Millennial Are You?’, created by Pew Research Center as part of their February 2010 report, Millennials: Confident. Connected, Open to Change.  It was not surprising to me that as I am on the tail end of Gen X (born in 1977), I have a great deal in common with the Millennials.  On a scale of 1 to 100, I scored a 91 on the quiz, whereas the average Gen X’ers would typically score a 33.  I guess that’s why I often find myself advocating on behalf of Millennials because in terms of age, it wasn’t that long ago when I walked many miles in their shoes.

Don’t get me wrong. I am proud to be part of Generation X, despite the less than favorable labels placed upon us. Some refer to my generation as the Slackers, based on the 1991 movie (which I have not seen) by Richard Linklater.  When I first heard this description of Gen X’ers, I was quickly offended. For I am one of many civic-minded, purpose-driven leaders born in the ‘70’s, and my circle of influence has similar characteristics.

Regardless how I view myself and others within my generation, there is fungus among us.  I know one too many Gen X’ers who insist on hazing Millennials in the workplace, overwhelming their plate with menial tasks and defining it as ‘paying dues.’  As a manager, the only dues I expect any staff member to pay are those required for joining membership associations as part of their professional development plan, and the organization should be footing the bill for it.

I know one too many Gen X’ers who feel threatened by Millennials who want to move on a much faster pace into senior level positions.  Even though some Gen X’ers haven’t put forth much effort in advancing their career through professional learning opportunities, they expect to slide into leadership positions simply because they’ve stuck it out waiting for the Boomers to retire.

As many Gen X’ers are preparing to move into the corner offices, it is important that we are willing to step up and step aside in order to work effectively with Millennials.

Step Up

  • Inform and inspire Millenials, don’t just supervise. Provide constructive feedback about their performance, as well as offering resources, networking connections, and other tools that will help them along their career trajectory.   It is your ability to lead – not your title – that truly  interests Millennials.
  • Create opportunities for advancement. Early in my career a supervisor told me that in order for me to move up within the organization, I would need to wait for someone to leave or retire.  The next day, I was on the job hunt.  People stay with organizations where their worth is valued.  If you are interested in keeping Millennials around, be willing to invest in their career growth.
  • Be understanding if Millennials chose to walk away. They may be too young to remember the song, ‘The Gambler’ by Kenny Rogers, you can bet that most have this same mindset when it comes to their career and personal brand.  Because many Millennials view their career as a collection of projects, make sure their time spent within the organization is mutually beneficial.

Step Aside

  • Share the spotlight. Accept it, if the Program Associate is the most knowledgeable person to deliver the Board Report for the 6-month demonstration project, let her do it!  If the intern was the one responsible for the successful turn-out at the fundraiser, publicly acknowledge him for it! Their being recognized is not your loss.  Instead, it speaks volumes about your ability to build a high-quality team within the organization.
  • Expect to learn as from Millennials as you teach. – I’m talking about more than just how to manage your Facebook account.  Tap into networks such as Brazen Careerist, Under 30 CEO, and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network not as the Gen X-pert or to spy on the ‘young folks,’ but rather learn about the innovative ways Millennials are navigating their careers.  If you are open-minded enough, you just might walk away with a nugget or two that can help propel you forward along your career pathway.

Fellow Gen X’ers, it is time to stop being intimidated by Millennials. Rather than holding them back, seek ways to provide the opportunities they desire to learn, create, and lead within organizations. Let your past experience and current leadership skills empower Millennials to keep their passion, drive, and determination going strong.  

10 Most Influential Nonprofit Leaders….To Me

Posted by : tupthegrove | On : 13-08-2010

Category : 31bnb, People to Meet

This year I celebrate my 10th anniversary in the nonprofit sector and to honor the milestone, I want to recognize the 10 most influential Nonprofit Leaders…to me. These are people who have been instrumental to me and my professional journey as former supervisors and colleagues.

As I move forward in establishing my own nonprofit consulting practice, the experiences, perspectives, and skills I’ve acquired through the years are based in part by the lessons I’ve learned from these individuals.

  1. Andy Mooney, Executive Director LISC/Chicago
  2. Jim Capraro, CEO, Greater Southwest Development Corporation (Chicago)
  3. Nadine Cook, Marketing Account Executive, St. John’s Health System (Detroit)
  4. Seamus Anderson, Senior Resource Materials Specialist, World Vision International (Milton Keynes, UK)
  5. Harry Bruell, President & CEO, Southwest Conservation Corps (Durango, CO)
  6. Xuyen Dangers, Consultant, Church World Services (Vientiane, Lao PDR)
  7. Jessie Shelby, Executive Director, Inkster Human Development Center (Inkster, MI)
  8. Matthew Hickey, Vice President – Community Lending, Bank of America Merill Lynch (Chicago, IL)
  9. Pastor Leon Crawford, Uniting Faith and Fellowship Outreach (Detroit, MI)
  10. Candace Hollingsworth,  Blogger — Hyattsvillenow, Organizational Consultant (Hyattsville, MD)

This list was created as the assignment for Day 4: Create A List Post, part of the 31 Days To A Brand New Blog Challenge

New Blog for New Opportunities

Posted by : tupthegrove | On : 04-08-2010

Category : 31bnb

As part of the 31 Days To A Brand New Blog, I am starting a new blog focused on sharing resources and perspectives specific to the nonprofit sector.  For the past six months I have managed Work In Progress, a hybrid blog providing information about the books to read and the people to meet which help bring about change in the lives of others.  The time has finally come for me to separate out content that is more specific to my career, especially as I am looking to build out my consulting practice as well as launch my latest project: Major Impact.  More details on both to follow.

In the meantime, I will be blogging periodically both here and on Work In Progress as part of the 31 Days To A Brand New Blog Challenge.  Interested in participating?Check out the Blogging For Branding website for more information.