She suggested that organizations should be focusing on program outcomes and measurement more now than ever before. Revisiting performance goals and objectives and having a clear picture of the organization's financial standing are key to developing a realistic strategic plan of action. 

 

A very unpopular piece of advice she posed was to trim the fat. Most organization leaders resist this idea, but it has merit. If another organization can do what you do better, why not merge efforts and resources? There's power in numbers. If a merger is an attractive idea for your nonprofit, Theisen offered a few key tips: 1) consider your partners carefully; make sure they are compatible; 2) board support is critical; and 3) provide total disclosure about your current situation.