How to Learn to Stop Worrying and Love your Digital Agency

A successful project depends upon a strong relationship with your technology vendor. Maintaining that relationship over the long term is a key, but often overlooked, component of the success of any technology project.

All modern nonprofits rely on technology to tell their stories, fundraise, and increase engagement with their constituents in innumerable ways. Some even depend on it for their core missions – but few can afford to have sophisticated internal teams dedicated to building and maintaining all of those digital tools.

Enter the technology vendor. The mere mention of the phrase can strike fear into the heart of decision makers. We’ve all seen projects go off the rails, whether due to blown budgets, schedule delays, misunderstood requirements, or failed launches. These experiences are painful for everyone involved, on both sides of the fence.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. This session will explore the secrets to a successful partnership through all phases of the relationship, from RFP to support. We’ll cover:

• Putting together an effective RFP and how to distribute it.
• Selecting the right vendor.
• Deciding on the best contract structure.
• Managing expectations throughout a project.
• Defining success.
• Supporting and maintaining a healthy relationship.

We’re not going to pretend to have all the answers for every situation, but we’ll tap our decades of experience working with nonprofits and technology on projects of every size – and present both the agency and nonprofit perspectives. We’ve seen projects fail to live up to expectations, as well as exceed them in every way, and we’re eager to share those lessons with you.