Are you ready for takeoff?

Does the constant pressure to learn new things at your job make you want to get up earlier, or yearn for a time when you knew what to do everyday?

Do you greet the statement, “every business and industry will have to change & adapt or become obsolete” with a fist bump or a grimace?

When experts say that there is no longer one way to run a business or organization are you excited about the possibilities or nostalgic for a simpler time?

If you landed on the get up earlier/fist bump/excited end of those statements then there’s a good chance you’re a part of Generation Flux. (And if you were more on the other end of the scale don’t freak out too much – us Gen Fluxers love to lend a hand.)

So what is Generation Flux? It’s a term recently coined by Fast Company magazine in a special report on a new breed of pioneers.  GenFluxers are successful in our current climate because of their ability to roll with the punches and adapt to what is possible now.

“What defines GenFlux is a mind-set that embraces instability, that tolerates–and even enjoys–recalibrating careers, business models, and assumptions.” From This is Generation Flux 

Generation Flux is written primarily about corporations, but these same trends and opportunities apply to non profits and foundations as well.

“Every enterprise needs to find–and evolve–the structure, system, and culture that best allows it to stay competitive as its specific market shifts. Business leaders need to be creative, adaptive, and focused in their techniques, staffing, and philosophy.” From This is Generation Flux 

Generaton Flux is also one of the most inspiring things we’ve read in a while. Yeah, we fall into the GenFlux camp here at Mixtape Communications. The article describes a revolution brought on by technology, information overload, disruption, ambiguity and evolving personal & professional networks. And yet it’s exactly these factors, that if recognized, prime the pump for real change and greater effectiveness in philanthropy.

“Put this way, the chaos ahead sounds pretty grim. But its corollary is profound: This is the moment for an explosion of opportunity, there for the taking by those prepared to embrace the change.” From This is Generation Flux 

So how will Generation Flux impact and change our philanthropic and non profit sectors?

Here are some of our best predictions:

Chaotic philanthropy – Philanthropists are striking out on their own, looking for nimble solutions instead of instead of turning to community foundations or starting hard to adapt family foundations. Examples include the Awesome Foundation or community funding like Start Some Good. All these make it easier than ever for like-minded philanthropists to find each other and the causes they want to fund.

Cause before company – Nothing defines this trend better than the Occupy Wall Street movement, which focused 90% of its energies on the cause and only 10% on governing the “organization” itself. Decentralized models like this, glued together by mission but not a mission statement or strategic plan, will become more prevalent. Take a look at To Write Love on Her Arms’ website. They are a non profit focused on reducing self harm & depression and catering mostly to teens. Their site is full of ways to make the work your own and highlights projects taken on by its members. In fact, it’s actually a little work to find the Staff page on their website, which is usually so prominent.

Collaboration over turf – Whether it’s foundations coming together to address inequities with their combined forces or non profits entering into partnerships that recognize their unique assets, the barriers to identifying partners and collaborating with them are lower than ever. Combine this with a ‘cause before company’ mentality and we’re likely to see all types of unique partnerships emerging in philanthropy and non profits.

More meaningful ways to contribute – Traditionally the ways to help a cause have been to give money or give time. Donate or volunteer. With the rise of social media & other networking tools people have more ways then ever to contribute to their favorite causes. Individuals are now the PR agencies for causes they care about, sharing their content with their personal networks. They are the fundraisers, taking to peer-to-peer fundraising tools like Crowdrise & Razoo. They are the strategic planners, speaking up and expecting to be heard when they want a nonprofit they care about to change course or address an issue. Nonprofits that recognize this trend are able to scale up quickly. See the profiles of KaBoom! and CyberMentors in this report as two great examples.

 

“To flourish requires a new kind of openness. More than 150 years ago, Charles Darwin foreshadowed this era in his description of natural selection: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives; nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” As we traverse this treacherous, exciting bridge to tomorrow, there is no clearer message than that.” From This is Generation Flux

What are your thoughts on Generation Flux and  how you imagine it will affect and benefit our non profit & philanthropic sectors?  Comments are open!

We’re proud to be a part of Generation Flux. It’s a bumpy ride but there’s never a dull moment! ow.ly/8ERPm via @zanarama

— NPower Northwest (@NPowerNW) January 24, 2012

Nice writeup. RT @zanarama: My take on @FastCompany ‘s Generation Flux article & how it will affect #nonprofits bit.ly/yEUohm

— Fast Company (@FastCompany) January 25, 2012

@jennapettinato @zanarama I LOVE ’cause before company’, totally agree with that. Thx for sharing Jenna! #GenFlux

— Brock Warner (@brockwarner) January 29, 2012

Image thanks to Flickr:Kevin Dooley