4 reasons to run your company like a non-profit

Working in the non-profit sector was one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences of my professional career. Although the non-profit world is not a perfect world, and not every charity organization is well managed, there is something to be said for a unified workplace culture fuelled by a cause.

Nothing motivates people more than feeling relevant.

Want to see your team get more out of their “work” and give more to you in return? Here are four pages taken from the book of non-profit that can help you increase efficiency and build a stronger, more engaged workforce.

1. Nobody fears teamwork
   Early in my career, I would have chewed my own arm off before suggesting anyone should enjoy group projects. Team dynamics are challenging, and certainly the personalities and skill sets that make up the team are not irrelevant. With the right mindset, however, the sum is truly greater than its parts. Don’t be afraid to change the way you think about teamwork. There’s nothing wrong with colleagues who can rely on one another when the workload gets heavy. In terms of productivity and job satisfaction, there is great power in openly sharing ideas, exchanging feedback and working together towards a common goal.
2. Everyone respects money
   A lot can be accomplished with very little. Non-profit organizations are extremely budget driven, and every person in the organization understands how to plan, manage and report on spending.The best thing about not having any money is that you learn to spend in more thoughtful and creative ways. Even if your company has had a record year, and you are rolling around in thousand-dollar bills, why would you want to throw money in the trash by being careless? Budgets help everyone think more about the big picture.
3. Your contacts are also your best allies
   From clients to stakeholders to like-minded organizations, how you interact with people on a daily basis matters. Relationships can make or break a non-profit, just like they can make or break your business, and it goes far beyond lunch hour cocktails and executive golf tournaments. It’s about understanding the connections between sales, deliverables, administration, management and finance – and ensuring that your team does too.Look for ways to work together. Find ways to say yes. When people and companies become your allies instead of just business contacts, you have built loyalty and passion around your brand that will not be easily shaken.
4. More gets done with less
   When people are motivated, inspired and have the support of a strong team, it’s amazing what can be accomplished in a day. People who work in non-profit learn to juggle and deliver on multiple projects at a time, and they are comfortable alternating between a dozen different hats. The amount of work that gets done is not proportionate to budget, salary or job title – it is more so directly correlated to the fact that people care about what they are doing, and they are invested in the outcome.

This article is published in collaboration with LinkedIn. Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: Melissa Ligertwood is a Technical Writer & Communications Professional.

Image: Emma Rose of Britain (L) and Nils Westerlund of Sweden work in the office. REUTERS/Thomas Peter.