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Positive Impact
Every organisation wants to create a positive impact through the work it does. This is more than just keeping stakeholders happy, it is about making a positive difference. In this section we look at impact across three broad areas: 

● the difference that we make in our chosen area

● the difference that we make to our organisation 

● the impact we have on society in general 

In our chosen area, the type of impact will vary in size and scope according to the organisation. For some it will be very specific and easy to see, such as new provision being made for adult learners in the area. For others, it will be less easy to quantify, such as changes in public attitudes to people with disabilities. However, without some identifiable results in this area, the work can’t be shown to be worthwhile. 

 There is no point in our organisation doing a fantastic job if we can’t keep going because of lack of funds or support. We need to be able to show and convince others that we are doing a good job. We need to keep developing as an organisation, so that we keep and extend the support for our work. What we do as an organisation affects others in society, as consumers, local employers and residents. We will want to contribute positively to society and not create problems for others.

Positive Impact is clearly related to: 

● clear direction

● efficient and effective
   processes

● high stakeholder
   satisfaction

However we shouldn’t view Positive Impact as the end of our efforts. Positive Impact feeds into the ‘Need, Plan, Do, Review’ cycle. What we achieve should inform future direction and can signal changes that need to be made to processes or the way we satisfy our stakeholders’ needs. A number of questions need to be  asked to inform quality improvement:

● Are the needs that our
   organisation is trying
   to meet being assessed
   correctly?

● Are our plans to meet these
   needs realistic and
   practical?

● Are we doing the right
   things in the right way
   to ensure the best
   outcomes?

 

POSITIVE IMPACT

Strategic Outcomes
Strategic outcomes are the sign that our organisation is making a difference. They impact mainly on the  people who we represent or the people who use our service, but they also provide evidence to our funders of how we meet the purpose for which we exist.
Financial Health
Our financial health is a measure of our well–being in relation to our income, expenditure, assets, and cash flow. Being financially healthy means we are viable and have a strategy for fund–raising to ensure our continued existence.
Evidence of Standards
Standards must be set and work matched against them. This involves a continuous process of measuring and amending. Evidence that we are meeting acceptable standards is often required by funders and partner organisations, as well as our service users or beneficiaries. 
Development
This can be about doing more, or about doing what we already do better. It may even mean maintaining the present level of service delivery on reduced funding. It could also mean diversification or specialisation.
Public Profile
This is our public face, an outward sign of all that we are and all that we do. It is about our organisation’s credibility in the sector in which it works. It means having the confidence to tell others what is distinctive about our organisation, and why it is especially noteworthy.  
Impact on Society
Being a good and responsible neighbour and relating well to others, is about considering how we  behave within the context of our environment and our local community.
 

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   Positive Impact Back to Top of Page Content Page Stakeholder Satisfaction People We Help Direction Purpose Processes Managing People Positive Impact Impact on Society Previous Sample PageNext Sample Page *