Action PlanSurvival Kit

December 9, 2009

NYU Reynolds | Youth Venture

Be A Changemaker Challenge

Stephen DouglassYoung Impact

sdouglass@youthventure.orgTwitter@YoungImpact

Nathaniel TaylorNYU Reynolds

nathaniel.taylor@nyu.edu(212) 992-8718

Sponsor

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Overview

• First Things, First

• Ounce of Planning

• Ingredient List

• Helpful Pointers

• After Thoughts

• Next Steps and Discussion

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First Things, First

• Purpose of the Action Plan– “Plan of Action”– Critical assessment of your venture

• Strategic• DETAIL, Detail, detail• Sanity check

– Establishes accountability– Helps you monitor progress– Discipline and precedent– Go-to-Guide “How do we move forward?”

Embrace yin with the yang

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First Things, First (continued)

Your Action Plan = Your venture in paper form.

• An Action Plan is…– Forward-looking – Critical – Thorough & Pointed – Rigorous– Honest– Engaging– Insightful

• Set SMART goals – Specific, Measurable,

Attainable, Realistic, Timely

• An Action Plan is not…– Waste of time– Fluffy– Scattered– Stale– Plagiarized

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Ounce of Planning

• Address key areas1. Problem, Opportunity, and Market (What? Why?)2. Operations (How? Who? When?)3. Financials 4. Key Metrics, Milestones & Timeline5. Management6. Sales/Marketing/Outreach

• Other mission-critical information?• Eat elephant one bite at a time

– Outline “non-negotiable” sections first

Formulaic, but flexible; keep reader in mind

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Ounce of Planning Remember

At a minimum*…• Venture team must include students under 20.• Venture benefits the community.• Venture is created and led by young people.• Venture is a new organization or a major new program of

an existing organization.• Venture has the support of an Ally. • Venture is ongoing and sustainable (not a one-time

event).• Venture has clear, attainable goals.• Venture has a realistic budget.• Venture is comprised of trustworthy team committed to

ethical standards.

Ventures are subject to other criteria

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Ounce of Planning BAC Challenge Guidelines

• Action Plans must answer:– What is the Venture’s name? – What is your Venture (organization or project) idea? – What inspired your idea?– What is the purpose of your Venture? How will your organization or project

benefit your community/or another community?– What will success look like for you and your team? How will you evaluate your

venture and adjust to ensure that you meet your goals, as well as a significant and lasting community benefit?

– Detailed expenses, income, and fundraising– Time– Who are the members of your venture? Identify the organization's leaders (and

Ally) and their responsibilities.– How will you keep your Venture going and growing? What are your ideas for

involving others and developing the sustainability of your organization?

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Ounce of Planning BAC Challenge Guidelines

• All files will be posted to BAC Challenge website • Due February 1, 2010 • Updates in-transit!

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Ingredient ListVenture Overview

1. Venture Overview

2. Operations

3. Management and Leadership

4. Timeline & Budget

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Ingredient ListVenture Overview

Venture Overview

Venture Name Venture Idea Venture Inspiration

How will your venture help

the community?

Reason

Mission/Vision

Unique Capabilities

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Ingredient List Operations

Venture Overview

Goals Leadership Sustainability

Roles Management

Scale/Growth

Finance & Operations

SMART

Short/Long Term

Sustainability

Skills

Succession

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Ingredient List Management & Leadership

Overview

Team Members

Roles

Resumes

Gaps

How will you fill them?

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Ingredient List Timeline & Budget

Start-Up Financials

Sources of $

Uses of $

Monthly Financials

Income

Expenses

1-2 Year Projections

Jan ‘10 Jan ‘11

Timeline

Corresponds to Timeline

How do you make money to keep operation alive?

What ongoing costs will you incur?

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Ingredient ListRally (Additional Considerations)

• Acknowledge and appreciate risks and challenges• Hone-in on COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES• Oz. of (action) plan = Lbs of action (plan)• Use all available resources

– Peers– Institution

• “Firm commitment”– To execute your venture to the best of your ability– In accordance to your Action Plan

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Helpful PointersStyle

• Tell the story• Remember your reader• Main points expressed in straightforward, declarative

sentences• Don’t fret, JGI (Just Google It)• Keep jargon minimized; more concise = better • Start with forest, then describe tree• Keep HYPE (i.e. no fluff in your VOMT)

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After Thoughts

• “No Excuse” Attitude and Approach• Follow @nyureynolds @YoungImpact• On FB:

– “NYU Reynolds Program in Social Entrepreneurship”– “Be A Changemaker Challengers UNITE!” Group

• One-on-one meetings– Nate is available by appointment. Email him at

nathaniel.taylor@nyu.edu. – Stephen is available by Skype (sjdouglass), Twitter

(@youngimpact), FB (Young Impact)

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After Thoughts Resources

• NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture website– www.nyu.edu/reynolds/news/youthventure.html

• Youth Venture– www.youthventure.org

• Learn and Serve America– www.learnandserve.gov

• Score– www.score.org

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Next Steps and Q&A

• Begin drafting your Action Plan• Check NYU Reynolds/YV BAC Website• Action Plan workshops• February 1st deadline• Puppies are counting on you• Begin ASAFP• Questions?

Stephen Douglasssdouglass@youthventure.org

Nathaniel Taylornathaniel.taylor@nyu.edu