The Value of External Perspective
Those who work inside an organization — especially its leaders — often admit to feeling as if they're so immersed in the organization and the daily tasks at hand, that they struggle to innovate or see problems before they arise. Having an unbiased third party to provide outside perspective can be a pivotal moment for a leader and an organization.
External perspective brings a fresh set of eyes to see both the opportunities and challenges that those within the organization can’t always see — and it does so without the emotional attachment that often comes when it’s your work or organization. External perspective also helps to bring new ideas and innovations, often spurred by transferable insights from other spaces.
Organizations and leaders often come to Mapt Solutions because they are wrestling with a challenge, feel stuck in a rut, or see a future opportunity but are unsure how to seize it. At Mapt, we’re “someone to think with,” an understanding ear with useful insights to offer.
When we partner with you, we position our team of experts as not just an external entity, but an extension of your team. We dig deep and help your team see opportunities and your challenges from a fresh vantage point. We’ve been doing this for years, with seasoned pros bringing diverse industry experience to the task of helping you shape smarter strategies and achieve better outcomes.
But don’t take our word for it. Hear from two Mapt clients on the value of external perspective for their organizations.
Indiana Afterschool Network
Indiana Afterschool Network (IAN) is a statewide organization committed to providing the support and resources that out-of-school time (OST) programs need to create better outcomes for kids. In 2022, CEO Lakshmi Hasanadka and her team approached Mapt Solutions seeking support in examining their operational structure and the capacity of the team. The pandemic had exposed many needs and opportunities for OST care, and IAN needed help determining how to scale to meet those challenges.
Mapt immediately got to work on a Landscape Review and Analysis, examining the broader OST landscape and conducting dozens of conversations and interviews with the IAN team and stakeholders.
"The depth of Mapt's investigation into our landscape was unparalleled,” Hasanadka reflected. “They went beyond the usual consultancy approach, immersing themselves into our world and bringing forth insights we hadn't even considered.”
A few of Mapt’s key recommendations centered around addressing current and/or future talent needs by identifying needed skillsets, advising on staffing approaches (hiring versus outsourcing) and developing related role descriptions. Like many other small nonprofits, the IAN team was weighed down by wearing too many hats.
With Mapt’s guidance, IAN restructured their operations and moved to outsource functions such as human resources and accounting to specialized entities, allowing the organization to zero in on core functions and objectives. IAN team members transitioned from juggling numerous responsibilities to specializing and thriving.
“With Mapt's guidance, we transitioned from identifying our potential to actualizing it,” Hasanadka said. “The roadmap they crafted was not just strategic but deeply resonant with who we are and where we aspire to be."
Happy Hollow Children’s Camp
Another testament to the value of outside perspective is with Mapt Transformation Challenge Winner, Happy Hollow Children’s Camp. Coming off the pandemic, Happy Hollow, like many camps, experienced a decline in participation and saw a need to diversify its revenue streams to continue supporting the growth and operations of the camp.
Mapt has been working with Happy Hollow to chart a plan for future growth, including exploring its vision, ensuring sustainable funding sources, leveraging its 900+ acre campus to help its growth and evolution, and revisiting its procedures to reflect the youth served.
“Mapt put so much time into looking at the industry, and looking at research that had been done, all the data and statistics. That helped frame all the conversations we are having. I have never seen that as part of a strategic planning process,” said Happy Hollow Executive Director Sara Noyed.
One of the interesting takeaways from Mapt’s Phase 1 Landscape Review was not what Happy Hollow wasn’t doing, but what it was doing.
“Something that was very reassuring to see was all the data and statistics across the nation on who camps are serving in the summers,” Noyed said. “We serve a very unique population that the other camps are trying to serve, and they can’t figure out how to do it. Everything in the landscape review reinforces to me, we need to continue serving who we serve. And so while we may see an expansion, we can’t lose focus of that.”
Board member Bryan Swank felt that the landscape review provided much-needed clarity around many of the choices the board had made long ago. As Mapt met with the board to go over the landscape analysis, Bryan recalled, “I had a really good reaction of, ‘Oh my goodness, now I understand why we aren’t doing that.’”
Now, with a full slate of possibilities on the table in front of them, Noyed and Swank are incredibly grateful for the outside perspective Mapt has provided.
“We had been resting on our laurels for a long time here at Happy Hollow, and there was quite a bit of low-hanging fruit,” Noyed said. “Just bringing in new energy and seeing in the landscape review what was coming up, it was an, ‘Ok, we can go for these things. [The process with Mapt is] a game changer. It will turn your organization upside down in a great way to help move you forward into the future.”
Swank agrees. “When you participate with Mapt, it all seems pretty straightforward and simple. But without an outside force with the capabilities that Mapt has, you can’t get those doors open, at least not all at once. I don’t think you can do it alone.”
Connect with us to learn how we can provide an outside perspective for your organization.