From Web Designer to SAAS Leader (And More): Meet Steve Benjamins, Ep #67

Episode 67

With Benjamin Johnson and Steve Benjamins

Sometimes it takes an outsider's perspective to bring clarity to the needs of an industry you work in every day. That’s why Ben asked his long-time friend, former co-worker, and now SAAS leader Steve Benjamins to weigh in on the state of tech in the charity world. The two also take a deep dive into the unique benefits and challenges of four-day work weeks and remote working environments.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Getting to know Steve Benjamins and his career journey [0:45]

  • How Steve built multiple tech products [8:06]

  • The impact of tech entering the charity world [13:00]

  • Makers, managers, and building trust in changing work environments [21:27]

  • The power of in-person connection in a mostly remote world [28:41]

  • Tactical advice for social media and final thoughts [38:53]

Necessary balance

Tech and the nonprofit space have always had a complicated relationship. That is due, in large part, to the limited annual view that charities take with their budgets instead of investing in future growth. But does Silicon Valley tech bros and venture capitalists finally taking notice of our multibillion-dollar industry over the last four years mean a digital explosion is on the horizon? Not quite. Ben cautions that as great as technology can be for charities, we still need the people behind the tech to understand what it means to create generosity. Any website builder can make a mediocre form, but creating tech that supports both growth and generosity requires a balanced touch with deeper nuance.

Developing trust

The pandemic showed the world just how much the 40-hour work week wasn’t working. Not to say there aren’t those who thrive putting in those hours and beyond. But studies show that 30-hour work weeks cut down on costs and employee health issues as well as increase productivity and overall morale. So why are so many organizations resistant to adopting the four-day workweek? Steve believes the reason many managers want “butts in seats” for all 40 hours is as a half-assed way to solve what they perceive to be a trust problem. Just because someone is physically present does not mean they are any more productive. The goal is to be a good enough manager to judge someone’s productivity off their output rather than their attendance.

Cultivating connection

Another trend that saw enormous growth during COVID is remote work. It provides a lot of the same upsides as the 30-hour work week and has many people ready to say goodbye to the office for good. But Ben still sees the enormous value in creating intentional connection points for any team or organization. Especially if those can be in person. The downside to being constantly remote is that you’re always by yourself. It’s easy to feel like you’re checking a box rather than building camaraderie with a team. It’s also difficult to create and direct organizational culture when everything is done through a screen. We’ve ALL questioned the tone of an email for too long. By prioritizing community building and necessary in-person connections, organizations are actually investing in their productivity and overall organizational health.

Resources & People Mentioned

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