SkillShare

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How does SkillShare work?

In this 12-week program, we facilitate teams of 3 or 4 employees who work with nonprofit organizations to solve a well-defined technical or management challenge.

The program kicks off with a half-day training and team-building launch that clarifies the team’s roles and introduces them to their nonprofit organization and proposed assignment. Each team is guided by an experienced project advisor who provides coaching and direction to the team.

After an initial site visit, teams work to complete the defined deliverables. The program concludes with a final presentation to business managers and senior leadership, celebrating the teamwork between both sectors.

Previous successful projects have included financial analysis, market research, operations improvements, and facilities management. Outcomes for the nonprofit have included cost savings, new processes, and a clearer understanding of work with a new business perspective lens. When nonprofits thrive, the community thrives.

Project Examples

Finance
  • Analysis of expenses
  • Development of dashboard and other financial and management reports
  • Planning (long/short-term)
  • Budgeting
  • Cash planning (e.g. cash flow forecasting and control)
  • Developing effective financial management controls, risk management, and other policies
  • Cost/Benefit analysis
Operations
  • Inventory management
  • Purchasing and supply chain audit
  • Quality improvement
  • Facilities management plan
  • Safety planning
  • Emergency readiness
  • Work-flow improvement
  • Enterprise risk management (i.e. create a plan to minimize and then mitigate a possible risk to reputation, finances/facility, or people)
Business Planning
  • Market research
  • Budget development
  • Benchmarking
  • Model development
  • Customer research
Human Resources
  • Employee wellness plans
  • Job description revisions
  • Employee handbook development
  • Policy updates and development
  • Performance management system
  • Competency mapping
  • Recruitment and retention strategies
Information Technology
  • Network audit
  • Phone systems audit
  • Network security assessment
  • Install and configure networking equipment (e.g. routers, backup devices, modems)
  • Hardware/Software audit
  • Set up and configure new computers, install software
  • Assess donated PCs to determine usefulness
  • Create inventory of computer equipment
  • Troubleshoot PCs or laptops
  • Create inventory of software
  • Software training (i.e. one-on-one or small group, depending on lab availability)
  • Website audit
  • Security analysis
  • Build new queries and reports in an Access database; train staff; increase user-friendliness
  • CRM systems
  • Salesforce database
Marketing and Communications (limited opportunities available)
  • Public relations planning
  • Market research or benchmarking
  • Marketing assessment
  • Social media plan and training
  • Branding and positioning
  • Online marketing strategy