January always brings a burst of fresh energy, especially after a decent holiday. We’re thinking about what we want to do differently, how we want to lead better, and—if we’re honest—how to avoid the chaos that creeps in when our systems aren’t doing their job. We see this regularly: brilliant non-profit leaders working incredibly hard, but without the internal structures that make the work easier, smoother, and more sustainable. A good test of your processes is how often you were contacted while on leave and how many fires you returned to fight! Can your organisation survive your holiday?

Our theme for the year is “Streamlined Systems”. Non-profits thrive when their internal operations support—not strain—their mission. Strong systems free your team to focus on what matters most, and that’s the heart of the work we do: helping organisations build stronger systems and smoother days so they can deepen their impact.

But here’s the truth many leaders don’t realise: you can’t automate or optimise a system you don’t understand. Before you jump into tools, tech, or AI, you need clarity. What is actually happening in your processes? Where do handovers break? Who owns which steps? Where are decisions bottlenecked?

Process mapping isn’t glamorous, but it’s transformative. When you can see the flow—from a beneficiary request, to a financial approval, to a donor report—you can fix what’s unclear, remove unnecessary steps, and build a stable foundation for real efficiency.

In Feb we’re adding something exciting to that foundation: Nancy, our new EM Solutions AI agent. Nancy is designed to support the very systems we help leaders build—thinking strategically with you, answering operational questions, and supporting teams to work smarter, not harder. AI is not a replacement for human judgment or strategy, but it is a powerful tool for reducing the need for expert advice, preventing bottlenecks, and strengthening organisational learning.

This year let’s commit to systems that work, to systems that lighten the load and grow with your team, not against them. Please feel free to reach out for a chat if you don’t know where to start.