Articles & Essays
Articles and Essays written by our team - Rick Biddle, Jill Macauley, Catherine Grace and Thomas Biddle
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"Rip the Band-Aid Off: More Money for More Mission Delivery" "Over the past few months, we have supported the realignment and optimization of the admissions and membership fees and programs for several colleagues. This critically important process has helped our clients identify new sources of operating revenues even without increases in visitation. We recently facilitated this process on behalf of the Dallas Zoo." 4/22/2021 |
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"Elevating Board Leadership Amid a Global Health Crisis" "As we are now fully into 2021, it is quickly becoming clear that many of the challenges of the past year will remain with us well into this year. While that is a difficult realization, it also presents opportunities – among them the chance to leverage these obstacles to continue to shape and evolve your volunteer leadership to ensure that it remains an engaged and contributing force for your organization." 1/31/2021 |
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"The WAZA Conservation Strategy, Five Years Later" - Rick Barongi "In recognition of WAZA’s fifth anniversary of its series Conservation Strategy, Committing to Conservation, RS&S Senior Consultant Rick Barongi evaluates its impact on the zoological community. In this article, Rick reflects on the value of all three editions of the series and considers the best direction for the fourth edition." 12/29/2020 |
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"Leading Mindfully in a Strange New World " - Rick Breden "The uncertainty of our new normal has many of us struggling to find meaning and to move with purpose through our days. We at RS&S have been actively engaged with our many zoo and aquarium clients and friends over the past several weeks, witnessing in real time the differences in zoo leadership and their varied approaches to managing the current crisis..." 04/15/2020 |
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"Ramping up to Re-Opening: A Pivot to New Business Strategies" - Rick Biddle & Jill Macauley "As we look forward to re-opening our institutions, our business thinking must be proactive, forward-thinking, and poised to take full advantage of the opportunities presented..." 04/06/2020 |
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“Positive Pivoting” - Rick Biddle "Getting back to normal, by getting back to basics...We at RS&S recently worked with Michele Smith and the Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ) team to outsource their food service and catering operations. We were wowed by her spirited management approach, so we reached out to her to discuss some of the strategies she and her team are employing to keep WPZ moving forward. We are pleased to share them with you..." 03/31/2020 |
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“Thinking Outside of the Building” - Rick Biddle & Jill Macauley "Relevant Strategies for Next-Level Action. Even though we focus on zoos and aquariums in this article, many of these strategies would apply equally well to organizations of all types..." 03/20/2020 |
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“Let’s Take the Panic Out of Pandemic” - Rick Biddle "Managing through the COVID-19 Crisis. An Institutional Leaders ACTION GUIDE: Everyone is asking – how do we best proceed given our unprecedented situation? From our collective discussions, we would like to share eight actionable steps for leaders to consider as we navigate through these challenging times..." 03/17/2020 |
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Another Voice Working to Change the Conversation - Rick Biddle "One of our colleagues recently shared a presentation to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The talk by John McCann was framed to inspire discussion and new ways of thinking, as nonprofit organizations must “carve out roles of relevance and impact for their specific and unique community if they are going to garner the investment necessary for future endeavors.” 10/28/2019 |
A Deeper Dive into Bigger. Better. Faster. (BBF)
-Rick Biddle
Taking our article, "Are You Ready for the Next Evolution?", to the next level, Managing Director Rick Biddle launches the Bigger. Better. Faster. Chronicles in the second installment of how to enhance your nonprofit’s relevance in this ever-changing world.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/deeper-dive-bigger-better-faster-bbf/
8/28/19
Are You Ready For The Next Evolution?
-Rick Biddle
Today's thriving organizations have successfully adapted to tremendous evolution over the last several decades. But how do these and many other organizations identify, anticipate, prepare for and ultimately navigate the next evolution to stay relevant to their audiences?
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/ready-next-evolution/
7/3/19
Building Momentum Through A Leadership Transition
-Jill Macauley
Associate Director Jill Macauley defines best practices for how leadership transition, whether planned or unexpected, can be directed with a sure hand and a proven plan of action
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/nonprofit-leadership-transition/
3/28/19
Strategic Planning: The New “Right” Approach that Aligns Mission and Relevance
-Jill Macauley and Catherine Grace
From defining what a strategic plan is, and isn’t, to walking readers through the strategic planning process, Jill and Catherine use their insights and knowledge to outline the process, timing and key elements that turn strategic planning into a critical tool for running a successful institution. You can read the full article by completing the form below.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/strategic-planning-new-right-approach-aligns-mission-relevance/
2/19/19
Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize: Getting the Most from Your Strategic Plan
-Jill Macauley
Most leaders of nonprofit organizations would agree that there are never enough hours in the day to get their work done. And so the idea of committing a significant amount of time, money and energy to developing a strategic plan is often regarded, at best, as a necessary evil.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/keeping-eyes-prize-getting-strategic-plan-2/
11/20/18
Lessons from a Young Professional Attending the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Annual Conference
-Thomas Biddle
Now that the 2018 Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Annual Conference in Seattle is over, industry professionals have returned to their daily routines and the animals at the conference’s host organization, Woodland Park Zoo, have reclaimed their turf.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/lessons-young-professional-attending-association-zoos-aquariums-annual-conference/
11/5/18
Internal Candidate for Nonprofit Leadership Positions
-Jill Macauley
Being an internal candidate for a promotion to a leadership position can be a double-edged sword.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/confessions-successful-internal-candidate/
11/29/17
Potential Unleashed: How Conscious Uncoupling Kept Monster Milers from Going to the Dogs
-Jill Macauley
For nonprofit organizations, there is perhaps no more exciting, emotional and nerve-wracking time than the transition from start-up mode to full flight.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/potential-unleashed-conscious-uncoupling-kept-monster-milers-going-dogs/
11/10/17
Get Your Head in the Game: The Value of Strategic Planning in Times of Transition
-Jill Macauley
As any good basketball player knows, the key to a successful pivot is planting one foot on the floor while shifting position with the other.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/get-your-head-in-the-game-the-value-of-strategic-planning-in-times-of-transition/
3/30/17
Thankful Safe Haven for Elephants
-Jill Macauley
To provide a safe haven for 17 African elephants, the Dallas Zoo this year demonstrated impressive leadership and collaboration with conservation officials in Swaziland, Southern Africa, and with two other accredited U.S. facilities.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/thankful-safe-havens-elephants/
11/16/17
A Novel Approach to Securing New Leadership
-Jill Macauley
Schultz & Williams (S&W) has worked with zoos, aquariums and other cultural organizations, supporting their efforts to hire new, dynamic leadership, whether a new CEO/Director or a new member of the C-suite staff.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/novel-approach-securing-new-leadership/
8/4/16
Strategic Planning from a Blank Canvas
-Jill Macauley
We approach strategic planning as if we have a blank canvas to develop plans that stretch your organization’s capabilities to positively shape its future.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/strategic-planning-blank-canvas/
4/27/16
Investing in the Right Leadership
-Jill Macauley
When clients inquire about the elements of successful strategic, business, development or campaign planning, our response always begins with leadership.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/investing-right-leadership/
11/30/15
Succession Planning
-Jill Macauley
A succession plan is a critical management tool that helps ensure long-term viability and sustainability.
https://www.schultzwilliams.com/succession-planning/
10/29/15
*Pieces written while staffed at Shultz & Williams
