Pro bono support in the Third Sector - a Consultant's perspective

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Pro Bono support in the Third Sector

A consultant’s perspective

Ian Seath

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Why pro bono?

Put something back Make a difference Work with people who

need and want help Work with people who

are truly grateful


Projects

Outputs

Uses

Benefits

Range of pro bono experience Coaching individuals

Directors, Trustees, Staff Designing and Facilitating

events Strategy away-days Project meetings

Facilitating improvement projects Service & process re-

design “Help-desk”

Phone a friend


Strategic and operational planning

Project management

Process improvement

Performance management of teams & individuals

Knowledge management

Third Sector Diversity

Reach

International

National

Regional

Local

Role

Lobbying

Capacity-building

Direct interventions

Funding

Government

Foundations & HNW donors

Individual donors

Status

Charity

Social Enterprise

Informal


Using consultants

The major charities are likely to have experience of using consultants

The small ones probably won’t They may have all sorts of

negative images of Management Consultants

The idea of “free consulting” might just be a bit too scary for some


Optimist Pessimist Consultant

Half-full Half-empty

Twice asbig as isneeded

Some lessons learnt Pro bono is not “free consulting”

or something to “fit into” your (busy) workload

Light-touch on “methodology” Formal vs. informal project management Planning, controlling, reporting

Sticking to deadlines (or not!) Client and consultant

Be clear about the client’s expectations of your consultancy role Expert; Pair of hands; Collaborative


Consulting role

How would you like us to

work together?

Pair of hands

Collaborative

Expert


Consultant responds to request for

help by proposing“Let’s work together”

Consultant plays expert role in response to a

request for help

Consultant plays pair-ofhands role in response to

a request for help

Remember…

Help is never really help unless, and until, it is perceived as “helpful” by the person on the receiving end, regardless of the good intentions of the consultant


Contact details

• [email protected]

• 07850 728506• @ianjseath

• www.improvement-skills.co.uk

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.improvement-skills.co.uk/

Pro bono support in the Third Sector - a Consultant's perspective

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