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Powering Nonprofits to Fuel Positive Change

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Clearer Communication Is the Secret to Better Outcomes

Clearer Communication Is the Secret to Better Outcomes

By Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group Have you ever had one of those situations? You know the one. You are communicating with a colleague, and you thought that you had given such incredibly clear directions that you couldn’t believe it when they didn’t do what you had instructed? It happens unintentionally. Most of the time people think that they are being very specific in their conversations. We believe that we have transferred all the relevant information for the recipient to properly execute a task, but in reality we have a lot of information in our mind that...

6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair

6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair

By Melissa Lagowski CEO / Queen Bee / Founder Big Buzz Idea Group In thinking back to my first day as an Executive Director (E.D.), I realize now that the tone was set right there on day one. I met the Board President at my new office. He unlocked the door, handed me the key and said, “Have a nice day” as he left. There was no training, nobody to answer my questions. I don’t even know if I saw any of the board members between meetings (except, on occasion, for the Board member who owned the building where my...

Board Nominating: A Better Way

Board Nominating: A Better Way

By Brad Ball Vice President Big Buzz Idea Group “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” – Douglas Adams Simply too many organizations think about bringing new people onto the board of directors as a last-minute activity. They wait until just before the Annual Meeting, have a few quick, quiet conversations about who has time and is willing to join the board for the next term. Those people say ‘yes,’ the names are hastily approved, and thus, the next year’s board of directors is born. And this story repeats itself, often with just...

Leadership Starts with You

Leadership Starts with You

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved.” ~Helen Keller When you think of a “leader,” who comes to mind? We typically list examples of great leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi and other famous people, but we overlook the value that each of us possess as leaders. Does your organization have strong leadership? How enthusiastic and impassioned are the leaders that sit on your board of directors?...

How to Manage Your Organization During an Election Year Without Violating Your Nonprofit Status

How to Manage Your Organization During an Election Year Without Violating Your Nonprofit Status

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group During an election year, people within your nonprofit may want to support political causes and candidates. What does this mean for your 501(c)(3) organization? To maintain tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, your organization cannot directly or indirectly participate in a political campaign to support or oppose a candidate for elected office. This means your nonprofit cannot show political bias. You may not, in any way, indicate that the organization favors or opposes a candidate. Your organization cannot make political statements or endorsements in favor of one candidate or make...

Big Buzz Idea Group Launches Additional Services

Big Buzz Idea Group Launches Additional Services

Big Buzz Idea Group has enjoyed consulting nonprofits for the past 15 years, and over that time, whenever we met a new potential client, we heard a very common theme: “I had no idea a company like yours even existed!” The need for assistance has never been more obvious, which is why we are presenting a new suite of budget-friendly services to a larger audience of nonprofits.

Your mission is our mission, and now in addition to “powering nonprofit organizations to fuel positive change in the world,” we want to also “power nonprofit professionals” to accelerate your organization to fuel positive change in the world.

To Be Successful, Nonprofits and Associations Must Be Forward-Thinking

To Be Successful, Nonprofits and Associations Must Be Forward-Thinking

By: Melissa Lagowski Founder, CEO and Queen Bee, Big Buzz Idea Group “Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” ~Albert Einstein Do you feel like your organization is in a rut? Does it seem like no matter what you do, your budget hasn’t seen growth and programs don’t expand as you had anticipated? Are you still struggling with staffing shortages or failing to fill those seats on the Board with engaged leaders? It is not uncommon for nonprofit organizations to rollover their same plan from year to year, but the reality is that if you...

Board or Bored Leadership – Enter the Magnificent Seven

Board or Bored Leadership – Enter the Magnificent Seven

By: Denise Dahl, MPA Founder & Principal, Epiphany Planning & Development Nonprofit Leadership & Strategy   One of the most common questions I receive is “How do I get my board to do more?” The answer is easy, but the implementation can be a bit more challenging as board members each come with their own motivation regarding serving. Maybe they are serving as the cause is dear to them. Maybe they are serving because they feel a type of ownership (founder’s syndrome). Maybe they are serving to build their resume. Reasons to serve on a board are as varied as...

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  • Implementing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Your Nonprofit
  • Should Sponsorships Include Membership Dues?
  • Crisis Management: Are You Ready?
  • Word of the Year: Manifestation

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Insights Blog Archive

  • How to Rewire Your Brain with Positive Thinking
  • The Birth of a New Vision
  • 6 Tips for Cultivating Gratitude in the Workplace
  • Leveraging E-Newsletters For Nonprofit Growth
  • Tips for Virtual Event Success
  • How to Keep Your Visuals On-Brand
  • Talk to Me! Prioritizing Internal Communications During Times of Transition
  • Why Is My Organization Not Growing?
  • Fostering Board Engagement in Virtual Times
  • Our Top Five Free Online Tools for Nonprofit Management Teams
  • Conference Call Hero – 6 Tips to Master the Art of Video and Audio Conferencing
  • Tips to Ensure Event Safety
  • Optimize Your Contact List for Nonprofit Growth
  • Why Your Nonprofit Needs Brand Guidelines
  • 5 Tips for Prioritizing Your Mental Health in the Workplace
  • Big Buzz Has COVID-19 Resources For You!
  • Outsourcing: The Only Solution To Staffing Shortages
  • Is Your Marketing Missing the Mark?
  • How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Meet Goals
  • Nonprofit Event Venues 101
  • Post-Pandemic Event Lessons
  • Communication Tips to Advance Your Organization
  • Time to Assess Your Year-End Campaigns
  • Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part II
  • Leadership Starts with You
  • Keep Your Mission in Mind to Maximize Results
  • Making a Case for Strategic Planning
  • 6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair
  • 3 Reasons Why Your Organization Should Use Canva
  • Take Time to Evaluate Your Events
  • Why Identifying and Communicating Your Core Values Is Important
  • The Benefits of Outsourcing
  • Four Pillars to Attracting and Retaining Ideal Employees
  • The 3 Mistakes I Made Managing a Nonprofit
  • Seven Tips to a More Productive Year for Your Organization
  • The Compelling Case to Renew
  • Life After COVID-19: Next Steps for Your Nonprofit
  • The Board’s Hot (Summer) Topics
  • Make Your Nonprofit Stand Out: Creating Impressions for Impact
  • Grateful for Nonprofit Leaders
  • Boost Your Daily Productivity
  • If You’re Feeling Hopeless of Late, Remember That Your Work Matters and You Do, Too
  • How to Develop Your Nonprofit’s Audience Persona
  • Nonprofit Form 990: Friend or Foe?
  • Four Step Process to Building Better Buy-In
  • Put Some Zing in Your Zoom (Or Any Other Virtual Meeting)
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: Growing Nonprofit Revenues
  • Something Good: Building Your Team’s Connection
  • Real Progress Requires Intention: What Do You Want to Achieve in 2020 for Your Nonprofit?
  • Celebrate You and Avoid Nonprofit Burnout
  • 3 Questions to Ask If You Hope to Grow Your Membership
  • Transparency and Nonprofit Organizations
  • Should You Ever Cover Board Member Expenses?
  • Cross-Train Your Team for Better Outcomes
  • Organic Methods to Cultivate Sponsorship Leads
  • Organizational Operations Versus Organizational Strategy
  • Clearer Communication Is the Secret to Better Outcomes
  • Silver Linings Discovered Amidst a Pandemic
  • Holding On When You Feel Like Throwing In the Towel
  • Re-Imagine the Possibilities to Better Serve Your Mission
  • How To Secure More Donor Dollars
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: To Package or Not to Package
  • Fresh Funding Ideas Are Blooming
  • 5 Secrets to Streamlining Your Administrative Tasks
  • Interim Directors Provide Strength in Times of Transition
  • Cyber Security: How To Protect Yourself In Today’s “Connected” World
  • New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members
  • Team Culture Exists Beyond the Office Walls
  • 4 Productivity Tips to Elevate Your Nonprofit
  • How to Hire a Consultant
  • A Job Gone Wrong
  • Self-Care: A Necessity for Successful Leadership
  • Spend Less. Do More. Your Guide to Effective Outsourcing
  • Big Buzz Idea Group Launches Additional Services
  • 7 Tips for Managing Hybrid Events
  • Innovative Approach to Volunteer Recruitment
  • To Be Successful, Nonprofits and Associations Must Be Forward-Thinking
  • 5 Ways to Generate Sponsor Leads
  • Engage Your Board – Start with Recruiting and End with A High-Performance Culture
  • 10 Tips to Cultivate Sponsor Relationships
  • DIY Event Photos
  • The Hidden Costs Behind Your Fundraiser
  • Financial Planning for Uncertain Times
  • Becoming a Virtual Event Planner in an Instant
  • Networking for Personal and Professional Growth
  • Why You Need to Establish Gratitude as a Pillar at Your Nonprofit
  • How to Manage Your Organization During an Election Year Without Violating Your Nonprofit Status
  • Virtual Fundraising: 18 Ideas for Nonprofit Revenue
  • Should Sponsorships Include Membership Dues?
  • Board Nominating: A Better Way
  • Tips For Meaningful #GivingTuesday Follow-Up
  • Four Tactics to Resolve Nonprofit Staffing Shortages
  • Securing Help from Your Board: Are You Ready?
  • Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part I
  • What’s Your Nonprofit’s Story
  • Word of the Year: Manifestation
  • 5 Reasons to Outsource Instead of Rely on Volunteers
  • 6 Tips for Recruiting Ideal Board Members
  • Crisis Management: Are You Ready?
  • Want To Retain Your Employees? Wellness in the Workplace Matters!
  • Cancelling or Postponing Your Events in Light of COVID-19
  • 11 Tips to Make Your Newsletter More Readable
  • Goal-Setting For Successful Events
  • Does Your Mission Have a Compelling Voice?
  • Lessons Learned in Nonprofit Management
  • Budgeting for Your Nonprofit in Uncertain Times
  • Please Send a Hi-res Copy of Your Logo
  • Why Nonprofits Need to Evaluate Their Budgets Every Year
  • The Need to Go Beyond Surveys
  • Defining Your Value: Reclaiming Relevance to the Community You Serve
  • 9 Lessons Learned from Our First Virtual Conference
  • 3 Tips For Maintaining Your NPO’s Digital Assets
  • How to Secure Mega Sponsorships For Your Fundraising Event!
  • 4 Ways Outsourcing Your Development Work Can Provide Value
  • 2020: A Lesson in Gratitude
  • Never Overlook the Value of Gratitude
  • Meet Big Buzz, the Creators of Ribfest Chicago
  • Board or Bored Leadership – Enter the Magnificent Seven
  • Implementing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Your Nonprofit
  • 50 Content Promotion Tactics: How to Drive Traffic to Your Next Article
  • The Taxman Cometh (Yes, Even For Your Exempt Organization)
  • Fundraising: Creating a Straighter Path to Revenue Growth

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  • 4055 W. Peterson Ave., #105 Chicago, IL 60646
  • 773.804.8589
  • 773.804.8986
  • info@bigbuzzideagroup.com

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