5 Technology Pitfalls Nonprofits Should Avoid

 You stand by your nonprofit’s mission and want to extend your reach even more into the new year. However, technology can be either your friend or your foe where this is concerned.

Are you making the most of the tech available to you in a sustainable manner while also steering clear of its hazards? The following are the top technology pitfalls you should strive to avoid, as well as some insights on how to avoid them:

1. Outdated Technology

If your hardware and/or software is out of date, your enterprise will be at increased risk for errors, downtime and compliance violations. To avoid this, you should strive to update and upgrade your system as appropriate.

2. Lack of Staff Training

Even with the most state-of-the-art technology, if your staff can’t operate it, you can’t make the most of it. Schedule classes for new and existing staff members to ensure they are proficient in each new iteration of technology.

3. Inadequate Cyber Security

If your organization has cyber security issues, you’ll be more prone to data breaches, fraud and bad publicity. Make cyber security a top priority for your nonprofit to avoid downtime and legal issues.

4. Lack of Integration

“Software silos” can lead to poor communication within your organization. An experienced, professional IT firm can assist you with streamlining your system and making it as integrated and efficient as possible.

5. Lack of Vision or a Game Plan

Without a plan, it’s difficult to anticipate your needs in the near term and the distant future. How could your current technology be augmented for better performance going forward? Strive for big picture thinking so that your nonprofit’s technology can grow right along with your reach and donations.

An annual strategic planning process can assist with buy-in and ensure that technology remains front and center for your organization. Designate an individual or create a committee to oversee this aspect of your nonprofit.

They should cover areas such as:

• Oversight and Planning
• Resource Assessments
• Budgeting
• Staff Training
• Create Policies and Procedures
• Legal Considerations

Ready to start a conversation about how Tech Impact can help you achieve your IT goals in 2018? Contact us today to start a conversation.