You’ve got to hand it to us. Our podcast always delivers the goods.

Our latest guest is the brilliant Tara Honeywell. She has a background in the commercial sector, over six years at Barnardo’s and serves as a non-executive at GoodPAYE. Impressive, right?

Tara talks about using tech to create sustainable, profitable ventures that funnel back into charity. Here are the highlights of our conversation.

Disclaimer: we’ve paraphrased Tara’s lovely words for this article. Listen to the podcast for her full, unedited insights.

Six years ago, Tara left her corporate job for Barnardo’s. She’s applying her commercial experience for the benefit of social causes:

“I realised the potential in using Barnardo’s assets to launch profitable ventures. The profits from these ventures go back into the charity, enhancing our support for children and young people.”

Leading the Commercial Ventures department, Tara explains: “Our approach blends risk-taking with the need for immediate revenue. We focus on empowering other departments in the organisation with marketable ideas. Guiding them to find market opportunities and develop successful entry strategies.

“We also play a crucial role in securing the necessary funding,” Tara adds. “This can be through Barnardo’s own resources or external sources, including philanthropic investors. Moreover, we seek out external funding for certain projects, always ensuring alignment with investors who support our mission. This approach not only sustains us but also amplifies our impact in the social sector.”

The main challenge in convincing nonprofits to try commercial ventures? Taking on risk:

“Every venture carries a risk and requires resources. At Barnardo’s, we navigate this by spreading risks across a portfolio of ventures,” says Tara. “Recently, there’s more flexibility in investment guidelines for charities,” she continues. “But there’s still so much regulation. For nonprofits looking at similar models, it’s crucial to balance your core mission with strategic, calculated risks.”

Addressing how to manage the long-term aspect of such ventures, Tara elaborates: “By investing in ventures aligned with our mission, like education or mental health, we innovate while staying true to our cause. This strategic, long-term approach is key to adapting to the changing fundraising landscape and reaching (in our case) younger demographics.”

Tara Honeywell rewrites the charity fundraising playbook with GoodPAYE’s tech-forward approach. GoodPAYE, born from collaborative efforts at the Good Lab is a unique venture, co-owned by Barnardo’s, Crisis, The Royal British Legion, RNIB and WaterAid.

“Our goal was to rethink payroll giving, an underutilised method despite its tax benefits,” Tara explains. “Payroll giving, despite being tax-incentivized like gift aid, is relatively unknown. In the UK, only 4% of employees use it, compared to 36% in the US.”

Detailing GoodPAYE’s strategy, Tara adds: “We’re making fundraising more effective by aligning donors directly with causes. By automating and integrating payroll giving, we’re drawing from fintech’s playbook on gift aid.

“Instead of focusing on large organisations, we’re broadening our reach to include SMEs. GoodPAYE is about making charitable giving via payroll easy and accessible, fitting effortlessly into existing accounting and HR systems. This approach is especially crucial in economically tough times, providing a cost-effective way for people to support charities. GoodPAYE is here to streamline and expand this underutilised avenue of giving.”

Ever wondered how you turn tech jargon into plain English for a room full of varied minds? Tara Honeywell at GoodPAYE has been doing just that:

“I’ve become the linchpin for communication, making sure that our executive team, technical advisors and shareholders are on the same page. This role of a translator is essential in a tech project, especially when it involves various stakeholders with different backgrounds and perspectives.”

She points out the importance of managing expectations and understanding the limitations of the initial product:

“Navigating the complexities of a tech project like GoodPAYE involves constant learning and adapting. It’s crucial to communicate these evolutions to our stakeholders, especially when dealing with a minimal viable product that might need to evolve or be replaced as we grow and learn.”

Tara’s work with GoodPAYE offers key lessons. They’re helpful for anyone wanting to know how nonprofits can succeed in using technology. She stresses how important it is to have tech knowledge from the start (refreshing to hear that from someone else!):

“Bring in a tech expert early on. They’re crucial for grasping the full range of technical possibilities and constraints. It goes beyond creating a functional product. You need to craft something that optimally serves your users and aligns with your mission. A tech expert guides you through the intricacies of development. So, the end product is not just operational but also perfectly suited to your objectives.”

Tara further highlights careful planning and a thorough understanding of the project’s scope: “Value the discovery phase – workshops, user journeys, process mapping – and learn from those who’ve done it before. Avoid rushing into the build phase just to get to market.”

The need for a balance is important too, especially with the limited funding typical of startups:

And there you have it – Tara Honeywell, the genius at blending profit with purpose. Her story is a must-hear for anyone in the nonprofit world looking to sprinkle a little business savvy into their cause.

Don’t miss our podcast where Tara’s insights come alive. Listen now.

Efficiency is the art of doing more with less. For nonprofits, it’s the dream of maximising impact by making the most of your resources.

Think of affordable digital tools as your trusty sidekick in this quest. They streamline, simplify and amplify every ounce of effort you pour in.

Whether it’s tools to transform chaotic spreadsheets or digital hacks to make every donor interaction count. Investing wisely in the right tech can significantly boost your efficiency. Making your goals feel more attainable.

Stick around, and let’s dive into the how-to’s.

• Use data to find out which tasks are driving your nonprofit forward and which aren’t
• Make the leap to a case management system and turn data mess into actionable insights
• Streamline the donation journey, making it easy for supporters to chip in
• Update your booking system to offer a quick and simple experience for clients, donors and volunteers
• Seek expertise to help you find tools that are ‘must-haves’, not ‘nice-to-haves’

Extra Brain’s Jessica Gregson and Simon Wakeman joined our podcast to share expert tips on business efficiency.

Here’s a brain teaser from Jessica: “You can be effective without being efficient. But if you’re efficient without being effective, you’re simply doing the wrong thing fast.”

Unravelling that — focus on doing the right stuff. The things that drive your mission forward and don’t just eat the clock. Invest in new tech without this focus? You’re probably fast-tracking the wrong tasks.

The challenge is working out which tasks are generating good results. Collecting data on your team’s activities helps.

This isn’t just about counting the hours your people work. It’s understanding the quality and impact of their efforts. Which tasks are bringing you closer to your mission? Which ones aren’t?

Time to replace chaotic spreadsheets with a case management system. It helps you monitor whatever type of activity you need to understand what’s working and what isn’t.

They can be tailored to fit your budget, workflow, team dynamics and permission requirements. Your team can log their interactions into this system. Data can be grouped any which way you want to generate useful comparisons.

Dashboards unlock more value of your case management system. Users can either get a bird’s eye view or granular breakdown of your data. Then it’s easy to draw insights, such as how individual teams are performing. Or the impact of changes to your processes.

These insights help you refine your operations and hone in on what truly matters. With an effective system of data collection and analysis, you’re in a stronger position to invest in additional budget-friendly technology. Tools or software that can further streamline the right tasks.

Learn more about how case management systems can support your nonprofit.

A case management system + dashboard can drive more donations. Clear data presentation means clear impact sharing. When you effectively showcase what you’ve achieved, donors are more inclined to contribute. Leading to new and repeat donations.

But there’s more to using technology for this purpose.

How current is your website? A modern, easy-to-use site tells your donors, “We value your time, and we’re streamlined for your convenience.” When they feel that, they’re one step closer to hitting that donation button.

Get to this stage and they shouldn’t have to grapple with long load times. Endless fields. Clunky payment gateways. Giving their money away should be easy.

If it isn’t, consider investing in a donation platform or tailored plugin.
Plugins, for example, can be affordable. They’ll integrate smoothly with your website and are optimised for mobile devices. They’ll simplify the entire payment process too. It’s a smart way to make the donation process more efficient without breaking the bank. No need to reinvent the wheel!

Still taking phone bookings? Outdated systems are time-eaters, making things tricky for everyone—be it clients, donors or volunteers.

Your current tech might be slow and confusing. You might be missing out on efficient features like automated confirmations or real-time availability. Besides being a hassle, it hints, “We’re a bit behind.”

Revamping your booking system doesn’t have to cost the earth. With clever integrations, you can slot a modern third-party booking tool into your existing website without a full redo. Check out our TARKA case study to see it in action.

So, we’ve name-dropped useful tools, and there’s a temptation to dive headfirst into each one, especially with the allure of “efficiency.” But hold on.

Deciphering the right tools for your nonprofit can be complex, even with solid data to guide you. This is where a tech partner steps in, offering a clearer perspective on your options.

Bonus points if they understand nonprofits and the hurdles they face. From experience, they can spot and recommend solutions that may not be on your radar. They also work hard to understand your budget before researching your options and putting a plan together.

In the nonprofit world, every penny is precious. The right tech partner can make sure that your investments drive your mission’s success.

Seeking efficiency boosts? We’ve got your back. Let’s chat.

Oh we do love a good clickbait title!

Facing major challenges like climate change and socioeconomic disparities, organisations have a choice:

1. Step up.
2. Land in future textbooks under “Companies That Watched the World Burn.”

Sure, there’s no magic formula for a better* business. We have some helpful advice, though. After going through the B Corp certification process, we picked up a few pointers on making positive changes.

When we say ‘better*’, we’re talking about doing business as usual but with reduced negative impacts. Yes, profits are crucial (even nonprofits need money to operate) and that often means using resources. But the basic idea is to use them more responsibly.

So, don’t get hung up on constantly making a positive mark. Channels inner life coach. It’s about progress, not perfection.

With that out of the way, here’s how to pivot for good.

1. Get all hands on deck
2. Know where you stand
3. Create clear goals
4. Assign responsibilities
5. Explore helpful tools
6. Monitor and adjust
7. Collaborate with charities and nonprofits

Being a better organisation means reshaping how you operate. With the aim of minimising harm to people, communities and the planet.

This isn’t a one-person gig. True change requires everyone’s buy-in. That’s just how big changes roll.

Kick things off with a team meet-up. Maybe throw in some pizzas for good measure. Do it face-to-face if you can.

Discuss your ‘why’. Why are you stirring the pot? What’s the bigger picture? Then really listen to your team. Some might be sceptics and that’s okay. Hear them out. You’re not just looking for nods; you’re looking for real talk, suggestions, concerns and ideas.

After all, this is about making your team’s life better too. That’s the juicy fruit hanging within reach. Once you set the stage for change, you can start getting opinions on more concrete topics. Topics team members have unique insights into, from process improvements to company culture.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, so don’t stop when you start seeing results. Keep asking questions, keep listening and keep moving forward.

Embarking on our B Corp journey, we tackled the B Impact Assessment’s 200-ish questions. Dissecting our practices across:

Governance
Workers
Community
Environment
Customers

This deep dive prompted us to ponder things like:

• How effective is our waste monitoring? (We’re fully remote, is everyone recycling? Tom has put the paper in the plastic bin again …)
• Do our services amplify our clients’ positive impact? Or do our clients even have any positive impact?
• Is our hiring process truly inclusive? And what does that even mean?

From this, we saw areas we could improve. If you’re not gunning for B Corp status (yet!), answering 200 questions might feel a tad extensive.

Still, inspired by this method, here are some useful questions. They’ll highlight your strengths and pinpoint improvement opportunities. It also gets you thinking about other questions you could ask that are relevant to your organisation.

1. Governance:

• What values and principles guide your business decisions?
• How transparent are your operations and decision-making processes?
• Are you holding regular reviews to assess and adapt your strategic direction?

2. Workers:

• Are your employees satisfied and how do you know?
• Do you offer fair compensation and benefits in line with industry standards?
• Is there a clear path for employee growth and professional development?

3. Community:

• How does your business activities impact the local community?
• Are you engaging with local organisations or causes to give back?
• Do you consider the ethical practices of your suppliers and partners?

4. Environment:

• How much waste are you generating and are there ways to reduce it?
• Are you making efforts to decrease your carbon footprint?
• Do you have a strategy for sustainable sourcing and resource use?

5. Customers:

• Are your products or services genuinely beneficial to your customers?
• How do you handle customer feedback and complaints?
• Are you committed to honest marketing and transparent pricing?

With a better understanding of areas of improvement, you can start setting clear and measurable objectives.

What do you want to achieve in the next quarter, year or even five years? You might want to:

• Transition to 100% renewable energy sources within 3 years
• Partner with at least 3 local nonprofits for charitable projects in the next year
• Ensure that at least 30% of your suppliers or vendors come from minority-owned businesses within 2 years
• Achieve a gender-balanced board of directors within 1 years
• Introduce a feedback loop, aiming to respond to and resolve 95% of customer complaints within 48 hours

Are you excited yet? This is when the change starts to feel real.

For every big goal, carve out bite-sized milestones. Say you’re eyeing renewable energy within 3 years. Why not begin with scouting potential energy providers in the upcoming months?

Get your team involved. Pinpoint who can carry out each goal. Maybe HR tackles the gender-balanced board and the supply chain team dives into green vendors.

If you’ve got money to spare (Yeah, we know, but it’s an investment!), think about bringing in the pros. Eyeing that 100% renewable energy? An energy consultant or sustainability expert can steer you right. Providing guidance on the best practices, available options and potential pitfalls to avoid.

Achieve your goals more efficiently with technology. Think about using carbon footprint calculators. By plugging in your energy use or travel details, you get a clear picture of your carbon output. This tool zeroes in on your main emission culprits, guiding you towards greener choices.

If you’re up for innovation, take a leaf out of Tyler Grange‘s book. They rolled out an app to track team well-being. Our custom dashboard amplified its value, revealing the effects of changes – like their 4-day week. This insight lets them confidently say, “Our strategies are genuinely enhancing our team’s lives.”

Things don’t always go as planned. So, how about pencilling in some regular heart-to-hearts with the team? Monthly or quarterly will work. Use these meetings to gauge how you’re doing. If something’s gone wonky or a curveball has come your way, no sweat. Just tweak your targets. Be flexible.

Make a bigger impact by pooling resources with charities and nonprofits. Find causes aligned with your brand’s values and partner up. It’s not just about money; offer your expertise, co-host events or share resources.

In return, tap into their on-the-ground knowledge and connections. It should be a win-win collaboration, where both parties benefit and amplify each other’s missions.

Remember that “better business” isn’t about having a sparkling halo or superhero cape. But if you’re feeling it, there’s always a costume shop nearby.

You’re taking manageable steps towards reducing any negative impact. Creating a more sustainable, inclusive and happier future in the process.

Perhaps you’re improving your environmental impact. Discussing boardroom diversity over a team lunch. Forging partnerships with nonprofits to increase positive change. Every action you take nudges your business closer to being better for the world.

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