Question

Jacob has recently been employed at NewSky Services, a not-for-profit provider of disability support services in the local community. The service is overstretched in terms of funding, staff and resources, and there is a waiting list of people wanting assistance. Jacob is meeting with Margot, his manager, to discuss a new way to improve the organisation’s performance.

Margot: ‘Thanks for meeting me, Jacob,’

Margot smiles. They both take out notepads, pens and laptops to take notes.

Jacob: ‘No problem. How can I help?’

Margot: ‘That’s the question. I know you previously worked in a larger organisation and I was hoping to draw on that experience. I’d like to put you in charge of evaluating our collaborative practices and networks. I’m sure that there are a lot of opportunities that we’re not making the most of in our current practices.’

Jacob: ‘Great! In my induction package I noticed that we don’t work very closely with other organisations at the moment. I’m sure that there are a lot of opportunities that we can generate with other services. What focus did you have in mind?’

Margot: ‘That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking. I think that we’re under-participating in industry networks. There’s a lot to be gained by collaborating with other individuals and groups, both for the organisation as a whole, for us as workers and for the people that we provide services to. First, I’d like you to evaluate our current collaborations and networking actions, and put together a report for me. I think we need a clear understanding of where we’re at and what needs to be improved. How does that sound?’

1. What should be in Jacob’s report to help to evaluate the ways in which individual and organisational performance may be improved through collaboration? (Approx. 35 words).

NB: Kindly pass if you are not sure of your answer.

Answer 1

It is always good to have an effective network to increase a non profit social impact by focusing on building network relationships with like minded groups or even with competitors. New network or collaboration may help to develop the organization strategies, find the fund for organization, improve the skills of individual and so on. Coming together also provides an opportunity to learn from one another and tap into a more diverse breadth of knowledge.

Organizational evaluation includes the activities to improve an organization, usally by comparing the quality of its operations to some standard of high performance and recommending what changes should be made in order to bring that quality up to the desired standard.

The points to be included in the evaluation process

1. Its purpose and benefits

2.How the employees/members are expected to participate in it (role of an employee)

3. When they will get the result of it (planned date)

4. How the employees can share their ongoing feedback about its recommendations will be implemented

5. Check whether the organization goals are achieved based on set goals

6. Compare the organization performance with the other collaborate organization in their network

7. Make a new plan based on feedback and suggestion from team members.