1. Increasing the capacity
of our communities to
engage with technology
Peter Walton, CEO, Infoxchange
Enhancing Productivity: Digital Proficiency
and the not for profit sector

2. 2www.infoxchange.net.au
1. Productivity - The need to embrace technology
2. The characteristics of a digitally proficient
organisation – basic to transformational
3. The journey to productivity – Ten easy things
for leaders
Objectives of session

3. 3www.infoxchange.net.au
Technology is irrevocably
embedded in how we live,
work and play

4. 4www.infoxchange.net.au
Mobility CloudSocial Big data
After fire and the wheel, cloud is the
new game changer.
– Montreal Gazette, November 2011
Today’s Technology Megatrends
The Mega Trends
Source: Microsoft

5. 5www.infoxchange.net.au
You
Manage
Vendor
Manages
Platform
(as a Service)
Storage
Servers
Networking
O/S
Middleware
Virtualization
Applications
Runtime
Data
Software
(as a Service)
Storage
Servers
Networking
O/S
Middleware
Virtualization
Applications
Runtime
Data
Infrastructure
(as a Service)
Storage
Servers
Networking
O/S
Middleware
Virtualization
Data
Applications
Runtime
On Premises
Storage
Servers
Networking
O/S
Middleware
Virtualization
Data
Applications
Runtime
Cloud Services
“People don’t want to buy a quarter inch drill.
They want a quarter inch hole!” Theodore Levitt
Source: Microsoft

6. 6www.infoxchange.net.au

7. 7www.infoxchange.net.au
» The majority of NGOs do not have an ICT plan
» Many NGOs are unaware of their ICT spend
» While NGOs often spend more on ICT than
other ‘back of house’ services, staff are usually
not happy with the environment
» Running on a shoestring means things may
break every now and then
» Some NGOs are very innovative in their use of
ICT because of a lack of resources
A snapshot of Not for Profit ICT

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ICT Productivity
Framework

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ICT Productivity
Framework

10. “Infoxchange is leading the way in providing
technology to the not-for-profit sector and
creating a more digitally inclusive society”
10
Case Study – Travellers Aid

11. Raising digital proficiency through effective ICT planningConnecting Communities
11www.infoxchange.net.au

12. Increasing the capacity
of our communities to
engage with technology
How digitally proficient is your
organisation?

13. 13www.infoxchange.net.au 13www.infoxchange.net.au
Basic Intermediate Proficient Transformational
Governance,
planning &
management
No ICT plan. Ad hoc &
reactive.
ICT planning is discussed.
Informal alignment with
organisation’s objectives.
Comprehensive ICT plan
aligned with management
objectives, supported by
effective governance
Clear & compelling ICT vision
and strategic plan, aligned
with organisation’s vision,
mission & goals.
Common ICT
platforms &
collaboration tools
Individual PCs with no
information sharing
capability.
Some simple shared
information services with
limited remote access.
Up-to-date systems with
reliable support enable
effective information sharing.
Information accessible
anywhere, supported by
functional & easy to use
collaboration tools.
Client information &
service delivery
systems
Predominantly paper based
systems to support client
information & service
delivery.
Basic client information &
service delivery systems.
Functional client information
& service delivery solutions
are used but with some
limitations.
Integrated, accessible
solutions support efficient
processes, service delivery
and track outcomes
Social media,
marketing & public
website
No social media presence &
very basic, static website
Limited social media
presence & engagement
with stakeholders. Updating
of website ad hoc.
Active social media
presence & engagement
with stakeholders. Website
functional & current.
Broad stakeholder
engagement through
integration of social media &
sophisticated website.
Staff & volunteers
skills & culture
Most staff are uncomfortable
using computers, technology
& the internet
A small number of staff are
comfortable using
technology, but many have
limited skills
Staff can use the
organisation’s computer
systems well. Training needs
& plans are identified
Staff are keen innovators,
drive technology
improvements & keep skills
up to date.
Risk management &
disaster recovery
(DR)
We’ll worry about it when it
happens.
Regular backups of
important information exist.
Virus protection & Internet
firewall active
Off-site backup, security &
redundancy provisions exist.
Key systems supported.
Practical ICT DR plan
regularly tested. Client data &
service provision capability
protected with good security &
redundancy provisions.
Digital Proficiency Matrix

14. 14www.infoxchange.net.au 14www.infoxchange.net.au
Improved proficiency benefits NGOs &
their clients….
Basic …….. Transformational
Governance,
planning &
management
No ICT plan. Ad hoc &
reactive.
……
Clear & compelling ICT
vision and strategic plan,
aligned with organisation’s
vision, mission & goals.
Common ICT
platforms &
collaboration tools
Individual PCs with no
information sharing
capability.
……
Information accessible
anywhere, supported by
functional & easy to use
collaboration tools.
Client information &
service systems
Predominantly paper
based systems to support
client information &
service delivery.
……
Integrated, accessible
solutions support efficient
processes, service delivery
and track outcomes
Social media,
marketing & public
website
No social media presence
& very basic, static
website
……
Broad stakeholder
engagement through
integration of social media &
sophisticated website.
Staff & volunteers
skills & culture
Most staff are
uncomfortable using
computers, technology &
the internet
……
Staff are keen innovators,
drive technology
improvements & keep skills
up to date.
Risk management &
disaster recovery
(DR)
We’ll worry about it when
it happens.
……
Practical ICT DR plan
regularly tested. Client data
& service provision capability
protected with good security
& redundancy provisions.
Maximum impact from
ICT investment
Staff can collaborate,
work productively &
access information
anywhere
Painless reporting,
efficient client services &
client outcomes tracked
Painless reporting,
efficient client services &
client outcomes tracked
Attract new funders,
supporters, volunteers,
staff & clients.
Staff & volunteers
productivity is
maximised
Service interruptions are
minimised

15. “Infoxchange is leading the way in providing
technology to the not-for-profit sector and
creating a more digitally inclusive society”
15
Case Study – Leisure Networks/Regional
Sports Network of Victoria

16. Raising digital proficiency through effective ICT planningConnecting Communities
16www.infoxchange.net.au

17. Increasing the capacity
of our communities to
engage with technology
Embracing Technology: Ten
easy things for Leaders
Adapted from Deborah Elizabeth Finn and HBR “Aligning
Technology with Strategy”

18. 18www.infoxchange.net.au
First easy thing for Leaders
Technical knowledge is not the main game in order for
nonprofit CEOs to direct and participate actively in
strategic IT planning.

19. 19www.infoxchange.net.au
Second easy thing for Leaders
Your Board of Management should be actively calling for
and participating in a ICT plan aligned with your overall
strategy
• Identify issues and root
causes of ICT challenges
• Identify strategies to increase
capacity, efficiency and
effectiveness
• A framework for decision-
making
• More accurate and
predictable budgeting
• Fewer crises and ad-hoc
approaches
Current Position
Budget
Projects
Frameworks
ICT Strategies
Current Position
ICT Committee
Operational Management
Governance

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Third easy thing for Leaders
Establish a staff ICT committee.

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Fourth easy thing for Leaders
Your best ICT champions may not be where you think
they are.

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Fifth easy thing for Leaders
High-quality resources for ICT planning are
available to nonprofits at no charge.

23. 23www.infoxchange.net.au
Sixth easy thing for Leaders
Learn about and keep up with innovations in
ICT, and think about possible uses for them in
the nonprofit sector.

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Seventh easy thing for Leaders
Information technology, no matter how strategically
you apply it, will probably never save your nonprofit
organization any money but should produce
productivity savings.

25. 25www.infoxchange.net.au
Eighth easy thing for Leaders
Donated hardware, software, and services can
sometimes cost a nonprofit more than paying for
products or services in the long run greatly affecting
productivity.

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Ninth easy thing for Leaders
In a not for profit organisation, most IT problems
are actually organisational development problems.

27. 27www.infoxchange.net.au
Tenth easy thing for Leaders
Understand your real ICT costs and the digital
proficiency of your organisation.

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» ICT is a strategic asset that will help maximise your
productivity – ensure it is aligned with your strategy
objectives
» Engagement of Board and Staff is critical
» You don’t need to be a tech expert to lead ICT planning
» There are resources out there to assist you
» It takes time to build ICT capability – keep it simple at first,
but don’t delay!
Summary

29. 29www.infoxchange.net.au
iTaNGO Knowledgebase:
www.itango.infoxchange.net.au/
Infoxchange Australia:
www.infoxchange.net.au/
Questions?