Shared Services?

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Written By Annemarie Amefia

Dear Mission Mastery,

I work for a small nonprofit and notice that we struggle to keep up with back office operations. Why don’t more organizations sync up to create a shared-service model? What are the barriers and limitations? - MT

Hi MT,

Sure, teaming up sounds great on paper—pool resources, share the load, and get more done with less, right? But in the real world, it’s a bit trickier. Let’s break down why more nonprofits aren’t jumping on the shared-services bandwagon.

1. Trust Issues: We’re Friends, But Are We That Close?

  • Sharing is Caring… Until It Isn’t: Trusting another organization with your sensitive data is like handing over your phone without checking your messages first. Not everyone’s ready for that level of intimacy!

  • Culture Clash: Your team might be all about spontaneity, while theirs runs like a Swiss watch. Different styles can make syncing up more like oil and water than peanut butter and jelly.

2. One Size Doesn’t Fit All

  • Unique Snowflakes: Every nonprofit has its quirks and special needs. Trying to create a one-size-fits-all service model can leave some folks feeling a bit, well, squished.

  • Standardization Struggles: Some tasks can be streamlined, but others? Not so much. What works for one group might just create headaches for another.

3. The Setup Shuffle

  • Sticker Shock: Setting up a shared-service model isn’t cheap. Think of it like investing in a Thermador oven range —it’s great in the long run, but the upfront cost can be steep.

  • Complicated Coordination: Getting everyone on the same page takes time, effort, and patience—kind of like herding cats. One misstep, and you could end up with more chaos than coordination.

4. Growing Pains

  • Different Speeds: Not all nonprofits grow at the same pace. One group might be sprinting ahead while another is taking it slow, making it tough to keep everyone on track.

  • Resource Tug-of-War: Divvying up resources fairly can feel like slicing a pizza when everyone wants the biggest piece. Keeping it balanced is easier said than done.

5. Red Tape and Risk

  • Legal Juggling Act: Different organizations, different rules. Trying to create a shared service that plays by everyone’s book can feel like walking a tightrope with no safety net.

  • Data Drama: With more players in the game, the chances of a data breach go up. And in the nonprofit world, that’s a risk nobody wants to take.

6. Can This Relationship Go the Distance?

  • Leadership Whiplash: New leaders, new ideas. If one partner pulls out or shifts focus, the whole shared-service setup could unravel faster than a loose thread on your favorite sweater.

  • Collaboration Fatigue: Keeping the teamwork dream alive takes work. If the initial enthusiasm fades, so might the commitment to making it all work.

The Bottom Line

Teaming up for shared services has its perks, but it’s not without its pitfalls. If your nonprofit is thinking about diving in, start small, test the waters, and be ready for a few bumps along the way. After all, great partnerships are built, not born!

Annemarie Amefia
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