Message From Our Founder

Message From Our Founder

Letter from the Founder

Welcome to the ninety-seventh issue of CEE News!

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It’s budget season for organizations on a calendar-based fiscal year. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or first-time budget manager, submitting a budget for approval during times of economic uncertainty can be a confidence shaker. Being a budget manager isn’t just about creating a wish list and bracing for a 30% cut. It’s about being a strategic thinker and a persuasive communicator. These five questions will help you win the hearts of senior leaders and get your budget approved, even during fiscally fickle times. 

  1. What are the organization’s strategic goals? Before diving into the nitty-gritty of spreadsheets and numbers, take a step back and grasp the bigger picture. Understand the organization’s strategic goals and how your budget aligns with them. When you can clearly articulate how your financial plans contribute to the overall success of the company, you’ll earn the respect and support of senior leaders.
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  2. Who are the key decision makers? Knowing the lay of the land is crucial. Identify the key decision-makers in your organization, especially those with the final say on budget approvals. Take the time to understand their priorities and tailor your budget proposal to address their needs, where possible. Winning hearts can be just as important as crunching numbers.
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  3. What are the major cost drivers? As a budget manager, you’re not just a number cruncher. You’re also a detective. Dive into the data to identify the major cost drivers in your organization. Understanding where the money is going will help you make informed decisions and justify your budget allocations to senior leaders. It’s all about making your case with solid evidence.
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  4. Where can we save money? Let’s face it – everyone loves cost-saving superheroes. Look for opportunities to negotiate with vendors and suppliers for better pricing on products and services and document the savings in your proposed budget. This can result in significant savings over time and demonstrate your dedication to saving the organization’s resources.
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  5. What’s Plan B? Life is unpredictable, and budgets are no exception. Senior leaders appreciate budget managers who are prepared for unforeseen circumstances. So, create a Plan B – a contingency plan that outlines how you’ll handle unexpected challenges or changes in the financial landscape. Having a backup strategy shows your ability to think ahead and adapt to any situation.

By asking these five questions and incorporating the answers into your budget proposal, you’ll improve the odds of getting the resources you need to help your organization meet the challenges of the coming year.

Sheri Nasim | President & CEO

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5 TED Talks for Leaders Who are Lifelong Learners

5 TED Talks for Leaders Who are Lifelong Learners

Leadership

 

I’m kicking off August a two-week vacation in Amsterdam, a city that effortlessly merges history with innovation, art with technology, and tradition with progress. As I wander through picturesque canals and vibrant streets, I find myself reflecting on the importance of lifelong learning, especially for leaders. In this fast-paced world, where the boundaries of knowledge are constantly expanding, it is essential for leaders to stay curious, adaptable, and open-minded. That’s why I’ve curated a collection of five captivating TED Talks that provide insights and inspiration to fuel our growth. I invite you to join me on this virtual journey of discovery and self-improvement.

1.      The first 20 hours – how to learn anything, by Josh Kaufman. After Josh and his wife, Kelsey, welcomed their first child into the world, he feared that he would never again have the free time to learn something new. After all, it takes 10,000 hours to learn a new skill. Right?

In this humorous and insightful TED Talk, Josh shares the systematic approach he discovered to acquiring the basics of any new skill in just 20 hours.

2.      10 ways to have a better conversation, by Celeste Headlee. When your job hinges on how well you talk to people, you learn a lot about how to have conversations — and that most of us don’t converse very well. Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation.

In this insightful talk, she shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations. “Go out, talk to people, listen to people,” she says. “And, most importantly, be prepared to be amazed.”

3.      The disappearing computer – and a world where you can take AI anywhere, by Imran Chaudhri. In this exclusive preview of groundbreaking, unreleased technology, former Apple designer and Humane cofounder Imran Chaudhri envisions a future where AI enables our devices to “disappear.” He gives a sneak peek of his company’s new product — shown for the first time ever on the TED stage — and explains how it could change the way we interact with tech and the world around us. Witness a stunning vision of the next leap in device design.

4.      After watching this, your brain will not be the same, by Lara Boyd. Our knowledge of the brain is evolving at a breathtaking pace, and Dr. Lara Boyd is positioned at the cutting edge of these discoveries. In 2006, she was recruited by the University of British Columbia to become the Canada Research Chair in Neurobiology and Motor Learning.

Dr. Boyd’s efforts are leading to the development of novel, and more effective, therapeutics for individuals with brain damage, but they are also shedding light on broader applications. By learning new concepts, taking advantage of opportunities, and participating in new activities, you are physically changing who you are, and opening up a world of endless possibility.

5.      Sleep is your superpower, by Matt Walker. Sleep is your life-support system and Mother Nature’s best effort yet at immortality, says sleep scientist Matt Walker. In this deep dive into the science of slumber, Walker shares the wonderfully good things that happen when you get sleep — and the alarmingly bad things that happen when you don’t, for both your brain and body.

 Question: What practices do you use to continuously learn as a leader?

From Awareness to Traction: Transforming Organizations Through DEI

From Awareness to Traction: Transforming Organizations Through DEI

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

 

The murder of George Floyd in May of 2020 served as a catalyst for organizations worldwide to confront systemic racism and address the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within their ranks. In the three-plus years since, some of our clients have made real breakthroughs in DEI, while others have fallen victim to their own performative attempts to make changes. Here are five ways we’ve observed leaders move beyond symbolic gestures to gain real traction and create truly inclusive, more powerful workplaces.

  1. Acknowledge the Need for Change.  In the summer of 2020, organizations recognized the urgency to name and address deeply ingrained biases in their work environments. Many started by issuing statements condemning racism, and expressing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This initial step played a pivotal role in raising awareness and initiating conversations within organizations.
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  2. Implement Structured Training and Education. Recognizing the importance of dialogue and education, DEI-designated leaders developed town halls, workshops, and training programs to promote awareness of unconscious biases, racism, and discrimination. These programs aimed to empower employees with the knowledge and tools to recognize and combat systemic inequalities. A culture of continuous learning on the many complexities of DEI helped to build a solid foundation for meaningful change.
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  3. Build Diverse and Inclusive Workforces. To improve diversity within their ranks, strategies were implemented to attract and retain talent from underrepresented communities. Recruitment practices were revised to eliminate biases and ensure equal opportunities for all candidates. These organizations focused on creating inclusive environments where employees felt valued and supported, regardless of their backgrounds.
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  4. Establish Accountability and Transparency. Leaders played a crucial role in driving change by establishing clear accountability measures and fostering transparency. Diversity and inclusion goals were set, progress was tracked, and this information was made accessible to all employees. Transparent reporting allowed organizations to identify gaps and take corrective actions promptly. By holding themselves accountable, leaders created a culture of trust and integrity, ensuring that DEI became integral components of the organizational fabric.
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  5. Empowering Employee Resource Groups. Employee resource groups (ERGs) were empowered and provided with the necessary resources and support to thrive. ERGs played a vital role in amplifying diverse voices, providing mentorship, and influencing policies and practices within organizations. Leaders actively engaged with ERGs, seeking input, and leveraging their expertise to drive change.

On one end of the spectrum, organizations that have gotten DEI wrong have served no one. They’ve leaned on safe, outdated practices that are perceived as noncommittal and inauthentic. On the other end, organizations that have gotten DEI right have benefitted from fostering diverse perspectives and experiences, and are now leveraging the inherent value of a psychologically safe and thriving workforce.

Question: What grade would you give your organization for getting DEI right in the past three years?

10×100 Campaign – Crisis Text Line

10×100 Campaign – Crisis Text Line

10x100 Campaign, Business In Focus

A closer look at 10 nonprofits we are supporting this year who are making a huge impact. **Trigger warning: this content contains references to themes of mental health issues, including suicide, which some individuals may find distressing.**

We’ve been marking our 10-year anniversary with something that we’re calling a 10×100 Campaign. We wanted to give something back to the world that has given so much to us, so we’ve decided to donate $100, each, to 10 nonprofits throughout the year. This month, we’re giving $100 to Crisis Text Line, and sharing this Q&A with CTL’s CEO Dena Trujillo

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Message From Our Founder

Message From Our Founder

Letter from the Founder

Welcome to the ninety-sixth issue of CEE News!

.

I’m kicking off August with a two-week vacation starting in Amsterdam, a city that effortlessly merges history with innovation, art with technology, and tradition with progress. As I wander through picturesque canals and vibrant streets, I find myself reflecting on the importance of lifelong learning, especially for leaders. In this fast-paced world, where the boundaries of knowledge are constantly expanding, it is essential for leaders to stay curious, adaptable, and open-minded. That’s why I’ve curated a collection of five captivating TED Talks that provide insights and inspiration to fuel our growth. I invite you to join me on this virtual journey of discovery and self-improvement. Genieten!

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