I've been working at a nonprofit for the last three months, handling communications and tasked with overseeing our website's development. Initially, the plan was for a fully functioning site by September 1st, but things haven't gone as expected. The company we hired has barely made any progress and hasn't sought content or feedback from us. It seems like their approach is unprofessional, and I even discovered that the 'web developers' are actually actors without any relevant portfolios. My supervisor is frustrated but wants to complete the project regardless, yet I'm convinced we need to find real professionals instead. How can I effectively convince my bosses to part ways with this company and find someone who actually knows what they're doing?
6 Answers
Honestly, changing your CEO's mind might be tough here, especially when he's friends with the owner. You’ll probably have to wait for this project to fail before they reconsider.
Make sure your supervisor knows your worries. This is a complicated situation due to the personal connections involved. Just stay prepared for when this falters, so you can help move things in the right direction with the right materials.
Sometimes all you can do is wait for a disaster. When that new website looks bad, it'll open doors for real website developers to come in and save the day. At least it’s job security for folks like me!
You might want to share your concerns directly with your supervisor but ultimately leave the decision up to them. It’s a tricky situation when your CEO has personal ties to the company.
If it’s manageable, I could volunteer to assist with building a better site. Just for the experience, no charge!
Highlight how the current situation affects donor trust. Create a document comparing the promised site to what they’ve delivered. Frame it as a need for an experienced team before year-end fundraising. It’s all about presenting a clear path forward instead of just trashing the current developers.
Definitely. Just raise your thoughts and let them figure out what to do next. It's not your job to fix it.