I have read a lot recently on this list about how
salaries are too low, how the value of the museum
community is perceived as low compared to other, more
fundamental areas, and how we need to start thinking
of ways to get more money.

What I haven't seen any mention of is how the existing
money is managed. As a former museum employee and now
a consultant who works with many non-profits, I have
learned through observation that the non-profit
mentality can really be a detriment to a non-profit
institution. What I mean by this is that, because the
environment lacks the pressure to turn a profit that
exists in a corporate environment, museums lack the
incentive to make the smartest, most efficient
decisions. In many cases, they don't draw (or seek)
top-level management who have the sort of experience
that would allow them to make those decisions.

I know that many people on this list will be opposed
to the idea of viewing a museum as a "corporation."
I'm not proposing that extreme, but  I do think a lot
of benefits could be derived from switching to a more
businesslike mentality. There is a lot of room within
every non-profit to make changes that will improve
efficiency and allow the existing money to go a lot
farther. There are ways to build success and revenue
without compromising the institution's integrity, and
I think this is an avenue that should be carefully
explored.

Kez


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