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Michelle Shumate

2 min

What is social impact?

Angel Impact Investors. Collective Impact. Corporate Impact. The world seems to be obsessed with the type of social impact that organizations can make in society. But is social impact the…

Michelle Shumate

2 min

What makes a good network leader?

Leading a network is much more complicated than advancing a single organization. Many successful organizational leaders are not good network leaders. Organizational leaders are often accustomed to making a decision…

Michelle Shumate

2 min

What’s a network?

If you google network, the first result that comes up is a 1976 satire directed by Sidney Lumet. If you dig down the page further, you’ll get to computer networks,…

Michelle Shumate

2 min

What do networks do that organizations can’t?

When I start working with emerging networks, usually within the first three months, I hear it. The concerns start to percolate. We’ve moved past the platitudes about “we can achieve…

Michelle Shumate

2 min

Understanding and navigating saturated referral landscapes

Finding and accessing help can be daunting. Individuals must figure out where to start, who to ask for help, and how to go about receiving that help. Navigation systems have…

Michelle Shumate

2 min

Navigation Systems: An introduction to the four types of navigation design

Navigation systems are organizational arrangements designed to support individuals in locating and obtaining valuable benefits, programs, and services. These navigation systems are comprised of three core elements–human navigators, referral platforms,…

Michelle Shumate

2 min

The Future of Referral Data Metrics

While navigation systems track a breadth of data metrics, several untracked variables remain integral to the improvement of care. We advocate for three groups of outcome measures needed to assess…

Michelle Shumate

2 min

Referral data metrics: what they are, what exists, and why they are important

Navigation systems are increasingly utilizing data to improve their practices. From the microcosmic measurement of client demand in each zip code to the macrocosmic measurement of whether navigation systems improve…

Michelle Shumate

2 min

Is Your Nonprofit Board Falling Short?

Even with passionate staff, a clear vision, and the right funding, nonprofit goals can still seem out of reach without the right leadership. With an informed and active board of…