8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring The Dendros Group
Do they understand our mission? Do they understand our uniqueness?
When you hire Dendros, you are hiring a values-based consulting team. Taking an appreciative approach, they strive to understand your fundamental mission and unique identity. Unlike many consultants, Dendros doesn’t take on a project that doesn’t have a mission-fit. Dendros works hard to serve the mission of the organization and leverage the legacy and unique assets of each group. Every Dendros project is designed to meet the distinctive needs of each client – you never have to worry about a cookie cutter approach when you retain the Dendros Group.
Do they have the experience we need?
The Dendros Group are experienced consultants who bring to their practice decades of working in nonprofit and for-profit businesses both as senior leaders and as consultants. When you hire Dendros you can rest assured that this current work is not a training ground – Dendros partners are seasoned professionals with an uncommon depth of experience and sensitivity.
What distinguishes Dendros from others, is that Dendros Group is a consulting group, not solo practitioners – the firm has been in business for 7 years serving clients with excellence. Consultants are made, not born. Dendros is proud of its reputation, its experience and the value it brings to clients.
Do they have the capacity to deliver?
When you retain Dendros, you’re not just hiring a team with experience; you are partnering with a team that can help you build capacity. Along with a focus on capacity building, Dendros brings substantial professional connections, a wide network, a proven track record of integrity and an incredible breadth and depth of capacity and knowledge.
You can count on the stability and additional resources Dendros includes in every client contract. Dendros maintains a professional office space with in-office conference room facilities, employs a professional Office Manger and works with a diverse team of associates. Dendros client organizations come in all sizes, from small start-up nonprofits to $11B federal agencies. Dendros delivers results because they are agile, experienced and can scale their team of experts as their clients’ needs evolve.
What do peers and clients think of Dendros’ work?
Dendros’ reputation is sterling, and the testimonies on their website demonstrate that fact. Dendros has worked with the premier nonprofit organizations in the metropolitan area. They are known across the sector, among funders, and among government agencies for their excellent results-driven work.
Will our funders trust them?
Dendros partners have over 25 years working in the nonprofit sector in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. They have an excellent reputation among and rapport with funders. Often clients in difficult situations ask Dendros to help negotiate with their funders and to prepare their organizations to be more accountable and more connected.
Will we get what we pay for?
Dendros delivers consistently for its clients. All client projects have clear agreed upon project outcomes. Because they have the capacity and the experience, you will be assured of results that matter.
Is their rate structure responsive to the current market?
Dendros provides premium capacity-building services and are extremely sensitive to the struggles of nonprofit organizations in these difficult times. Often nonprofits are uncertain how to budget for the kinds of services that Dendros offers, and in the process of looking for assistance, organizations get clearer about what results and services they really need.
If Dendros is a match for your mission, they will work hard to craft a mutually agreeable fee structure and to deliver the maximum results for the resources you have available. Dendros will work with you to customize a fee structure that suits your needs.
What about our liability for their work and conduct?
Leadership transitions, mergers, dissolutions and other messy situations often have legal implications and are fraught with risk for organizations. Dendros conducts its business with the highest integrity and professionalism, and has successfully navigated many legal, political and PR issues. Unlike many sole proprietors, Dendros carries professional liability insurance and does not become an employee of the organization thereby transferring risk from the sole practitioners to the organization.